Loopworm reports carbon-negative insect ingredients for feed and pet food

INDIA – Loopworm has reported that its silkworm-based feed ingredients are carbon-negative, emitting less greenhouse gas than they absorb, according to an independent life-cycle assessment (LCA).

The company said producing 1 kg of its products removes 2.56 kg of CO₂ equivalent on a cradle-to-gate basis, positioning its ingredients as a low-impact alternative to conventional protein sources used in animal feed and pet food.

The assessment, conducted by PwC India in line with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, evaluated Loopworm’s LoopMeal and LoopOil across 18 environmental impact categories. 

The study used the SimaPro LCA tool and ReCiPe midpoint methodology to model impacts across marine, terrestrial and human health indicators.

Results showed that the silkworm-derived ingredients perform favourably compared to traditional inputs such as soybean meal, soybean oil, fishmeal and fish oil, which are typically associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions, land-use pressure, deforestation and marine ecosystem stress.

Loopworm stated that, beyond environmental performance, its ingredients also meet key nutritional requirements, including digestibility and palatability, supporting their use across livestock, aquaculture and pet food applications.

The findings come as feed manufacturers face growing pressure to quantify and reduce environmental footprints across supply chains, particularly under Scope 3 emissions reporting and sustainability certification frameworks. 

In this context, insect-based proteins are gaining attention as alternatives that can reduce reliance on resource-intensive crops and marine ingredients.

“We took an initiative to quantitatively prove our impact rather than qualitatively speculate it,” said Abhi Gawri, co-founder and COO of Loopworm. 

“Our goal is to help customers future-proof health and nutrition for animals, de-risk formulations and create audit-ready pathways for Scope 3 reporting, BAP, B Corp, and EU Deforestation-Free certifications.”

The company said the LCA provides audit-ready data to support its commercial expansion, particularly in regulated markets. 

Loopworm already has a presence in the European Union and Japan, where feed ingredient approvals and sustainability requirements are among the most stringent globally.

The results reinforce broader industry trends toward alternative proteins, as feed producers seek to balance cost, performance and environmental impact. 

With increasing scrutiny on deforestation-linked soy and pressure on marine resources used in fishmeal production, insect-based ingredients are being positioned as scalable solutions for more sustainable feed systems.

Loopworm added that the LCA framework will support engagement with global customers and regulators, providing a structured basis for environmental claims as the company expands into new markets.

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