Innovafeed renews B Corp certification as it recalibrates North American expansion

FRANCE – Innovafeed has renewed its international B Corp™ certification with an improved score of 118, reinforcing its positioning as a sustainability-driven industrial player.

The France-based company, one of the global leaders in insect-based ingredients for animal and plant nutrition, confirmed the recertification three years after first earning the B Corp label in 2022. 

The updated score marks a rise from its previous 111 out of 200 and comes during a period of rapid industrial and commercial expansion.

According to Innovafeed, the improved performance reflects deeper integration of environmental, social and governance principles into its core business model, rather than incremental adjustments made for certification purposes. 

The 2025 audit highlighted notable gains across governance, environmental performance and customer engagement, while also recognising the transitional phase the company is navigating in the “Communities” pillar as its workforce and partnerships expand.

A maturing industrial model

Over the past three years, Innovafeed has significantly scaled operations at its Nesle site in France, now the world’s largest insect production facility. 

At the same time, the company has expanded its workforce, introduced new training and development programmes, strengthened ties with local communities and customers, and advanced environmental initiatives aimed at reducing resource use, waste and overall operational impact.

The company says the renewed certification validates its fully circular, fossil-free industrial symbiosis model, which relies on repurposing agricultural by-products to produce insect-based protein, oil and soil amendments for feed, food and agricultural applications.

“Being recertified as a B Corp™ is an important recognition of the progress achieved and the daily commitment of our teams,” said Maye Walraven, Chief Impact Officer at Innovafeed. 

“This improvement motivates us to continue transforming our industry and to demonstrate that new industrial models, both high-performing and sustainable, can deliver solutions for tomorrow.”

US operations paused, partnership intact

The announcement comes against the backdrop of a strategic pause at Innovafeed’s North American Insect Innovation Center (NAIIC) in Decatur, Illinois, which the company confirmed in October 2025, around 18 months after the site began operations. 

The facility was launched in 2022 in partnership with ADM and designed to test large-scale production of black soldier fly ingredients using locally available agricultural co-products.

While the decision raised questions about Innovafeed’s US ambitions, the company maintains that the move reflects disciplined planning rather than a withdrawal from the market. 

“The broader industrial project remains very much alive and aligned with our long-term roadmap,” said Nadège Audiffren, Innovafeed’s Head of Communications.

According to Audiffren, the initial objectives of the centre have already been met, including validating the use of corn co-products as insect feed, compared to wheat-based inputs used in France. 

With those results secured, Innovafeed and ADM are now prioritising downstream market development, particularly in pet food.

ADM recently unveiled the Buzz Bar, a pet treat concept incorporating Innovafeed’s Hilucia™ black soldier fly protein and oil, signalling continued commercial collaboration.

“This pause is part of our phased, de-risking approach, reflecting a responsible allocation of resources,” Audiffren said, adding that a large-scale commercial facility in Decatur remains planned, with construction timelines to be confirmed at a later stage.

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