Insect-based Food - Green Business Award

Insect-based Food

Essento Insect Food

How would you describe your solution in a few words?

Essento’s goal is to successfully integrate high-quality edible insects produced in Switzerland as an environmentally friendly protein alternative into the diet of both the Swiss and Europeans. To this end, Essento develops, produces and markets delicious, healthy insect-based foods such as currently protein bars, insect snacks and chilled convenience products such as burgers.

Who are your customers?

The target customers are “flexitarians”, i.e. around 40% of the population who want to consume protein alternatives that are healthy, environmentally friendly, and enjoyable on a permanent or occasional basis. Women and men, currently more urban and with higher education.

What are the environmental benefits of your solution?

According to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Essento Mealworm Burger Patty, assuming a +15% growth in Essento Insect Burger Patty production volume in 2022, Essento will save 15,000 kg CO₂ or 26 million UBPs in 2022 compared to the same amount of Beef Burger Patty.

According to the LCA of FAO 2013, assuming a +15% growth in Essento Insect Burger production volume in 2022, considering that 30% mealworms are present in an Insect Burger, Essento will save 576 kg of feed, 5.8 million L of water and 1206 ha of land use in 2022 compared to the same amount of beef protein production.

How do you manage to exist on the market?

Excellent product quality, especially in terms of enjoyment. Communication compared to conventional protein sources such as meat, generally better animal welfare conditions and massively increased sustainability, such as the very good CO2 LCA. All products produced by us in Zurich (“Swiss Origin”). Professional marketing on a high FMCG level.