Firm treating waste using black soldier flies in Kochi to finetune production of biomanure to meet global standards

A view of the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant (file) | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The company making biomanure by treating biodegradable waste using black soldier flies (BSF) at the Kochi Corporation’s solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram is set to make alterations to its machinery to reduce the moisture content in the biomanure to ensure sustained compliance of international standards to give a further boost to its export potential.

In the last couple of months, Fabbco Biocycle Private Limited, roped in by the Kochi Corporation, has exported 80 tonnes to a Dubai-based company engaged in sustainable vertical farming, besides another 75 tonnes in the local Kerala market. The export has slowed down with the onset of the monsoon due to the increased moisture content.

Minister for Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh announced the export of the maiden consignment of biomanure during the Vruthi 2025 – The Clean Kerala Conclave held in Thiruvananthapuram in April.

“We are confident of altering the machinery and improving the production of biomanure, matching international standards in a couple of months to help meet the Dubai-based firm’s demand for around 200 tonnes in a month,” said P.V. Niyas, chief executive officer, Fabbco Biocycle.

The company follows a 16-layer stacking system using trays at Brahmapuram that facilitates the treatment of 425 kg of food waste per six sq ft., thus ensuring maximum productivity in minimal space. Fabbco runs a 50-tonne-a-day unit at Brahmapuram, generating 10 tonnes of biomanure daily.

Meanwhile, Mukka Proteins Limited, a listed company that produces fish meal, fish oil and fish-soluble paste, acquired a 51% stake in Fabbco Biocycle a few months ago. The company has so far invested ₹20 crore in Fabbco Biocycle’s ambitious project of setting up a 300-tonne capacity BSF unit for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the administrative body responsible for civic amenities and some infrastructural assets of the Greater Bengaluru metropolitan area.

“We have been running a trial phase of 50 tonnes for the last fortnight and are planning to scale it up to 300 tonnes in another six months. We are getting more inquiries from other local bodies like the Chennai Corporation and Erode Municipal Corporation,” said Mr. Niyas.

While Fabbco rears black flies in a 20,000 sq sft space at Brahmapuram, it has been assigned 1 lakh sq ft for its Bengaluru project.

Published - June 10, 2025 01:36 pm IST