The animal farming industry in Wels has been the site of a groundbreaking project that’s going to move the needle of livestock farming. Reploid Value Solutions, founded in 2019, is a pioneer in insect breeding in the country with a mission to implement sustainable farming practices. The team dove headfirst into researching how to breed and fatten black soldier fly using brewery residues that can be used in a variety of products, ranging from eco-friendly fertilizers to nutritious snacks for pets. As the project gained momentum, the creators of the project first established Insektianer GmbH, which received backing from national investors and business angels in order to construct a test facility dedicated to black soldier fly breeding. In 2022, the project entered a new stage as the team entered a long-term partnership with the Wels University of Applied Sciences, which assisted in the scientific research for breeding processes under the guidance of DI Dr. Otmar Höglinger. A second step along this journey included establishing working relations with Christof Global Impact. What followed was an expansive growth that resulted in a significant move to a new operating location in the logistical heart of Austria, which is where Wels enters the story. The Wels terminal became the site for a globally unique circular economy and insect farming hub. The construction and commissioning of the first industrial pilot plant signaled a proof of concept for economically viable insect breeding in adherence to legal requirements for animal husbandry and food hygiene. At this stage, Insektianer received a thorough corporate restructuring and was further rebranded to Reploid Value Solutions. In 2023, Reploid Value Solutions saw the construction of the first large-scale industrial insect farming facility at the Wels headquarters in Austria. The technology concept is poised for a strategic rollout at selected locations in Austria and central Europe.