IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed)

What IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed) does

IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed) is a Brussels-headquartered EU non-profit association founded in 2012 that represents the interests of the European insect production sector before EU policymakers, European stakeholders, and citizens. It is composed of 56 members spanning insect producers (e.g., Innovafeed, Protix, Ynsect, Tebrio, Hermetia Baruth, Essento, Divaks), insect-farming technology providers (e.g., FreezeM, Nasekomo, VDL Insect Systems, Better Insect Solutions / Big Dutchman group, LIVIN Farms, Insect Engineers), and academic/research institutions. IPIFF is the recognized umbrella voice for the sector on novel food authorisations, feed approvals, frass standards, hygiene and labelling guidance, and consumer acceptance — formally registered in the EU Transparency Register (845856417247-32) and routinely engaging the European Commission, European Parliament, and EU Member State authorities.

IPIFF generates revenue exclusively through annual membership fees organised into four tiers — Ordinary Members (Category A scaled by FTE from €3,967 to €49,170; Category B flat €13,500), Common Associated Members (€2,674), Observer Associated Members (€2,680-€13,408 scaled by FTE), and Knowledge Sharing Members (€1,069 for universities/research institutes) — all billed annually. Its service portfolio comprises EU policy advocacy, working groups on food safety and feed hygiene, knowledge platforms on feeding substrates and Life Cycle Assessment, an Annual Congress and a 2026 Annual Event at the European Parliament, and a substantive publications library including the Good Hygiene Practices Guide, Food Labelling Guides, the LCA Report 2026, the EU Consumer Acceptance Survey, factsheets, and the 2024-2029 Policy Roadmap.

IPIFF does not develop technology itself; its role is coordination, advocacy, and knowledge curation across the European insect value chain. The organisation operates with a small Brussels secretariat (1-10 employees), is governed by an Executive Committee drawn from member companies (President Adriana Casillas of Tebrio; First VP Frank van Sluis of Protix; Second VP Antoine Hubert of Ynsect; Treasurer Heinrich Katz of Hermetia Baruth; Secretary-General Christophe Derrien), and has secured sector-defining regulatory milestones including EU authorisations of yellow mealworm (2022), house cricket (2022), and lesser mealworm (2023) as novel foods, the authorisation of insect PAPs in poultry and pig feed (2021), and the first EU-wide insect frass standards (2021). IPIFF is also a founding partner of the InnovProtein EU Alliance with EABA and Cofalec, expanding its coalition into the broader alternative-protein ecosystem.

Name

IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed)

Legal name

International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed

Website

https://ipiff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IPIFF is a Brussels-based EU non-profit association, founded in 2012, representing 56 members of the European insect production sector before EU policymakers. It generates revenue through tiered annual membership fees and delivers policy advocacy, working groups, publications, and an annual congress.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: IPIFF generates revenue through membership fees from four categories: Ordinary Members (Category A based on FTE: 3,967-49,170 EUR; Category B: 13,500 EUR), Common Associated Members (2,674 EUR), Observer Associated Members (2,680-13,408 EUR based on FTE), and Knowledge Sharing Members (1,069 EUR for universities/research institutes).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IPIFF is a Brussels-based EU non-profit trade association that represents the interests of the insect production sector toward EU policymakers and stakeholders. Its core offering consists of tiered membership services (Ordinary, Common Associated, Observer, and Knowledge Sharing categories) that grant members access to policy advocacy, working groups on food safety and feed hygiene, knowledge platforms on new feeding substrates and Life Cycle Assessment, networking events, and a library of guidance documents, position papers, and regulatory publications.

Product overview

IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed) is a Brussels-based EU non-profit organization representing the insect production sector's interests. Rather than a technology product company, IPIFF offers a portfolio of membership services, advocacy support, and publications including: its Annual Congress and annual events (such as the 2026 'Insects for Europe' event at the European Parliament), guidance documents (Good Hygiene Practices Guide, Food Labelling Guides), research publications (LCA Report 2026, Consumer Acceptance Survey), position papers and policy roadmaps (2024-2029), factsheets, and working group/knowledge platform access for members. The organization enables members to influence EU legislation affecting the insect sector through advocacy activities and provides access to EU policymakers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IPIFF Membership (Ordinary, Common Associated, Observer, Knowledge Sharing tiers) Tiered annual membership service for European insect producers, value chain companies, and research institutes, providing EU policy advocacy, working group participation, and sector representation. Fees range from €1,069 (Knowledge Sharing) to €49,170 (Ordinary Category A, >250 FTE).
• IPIFF Annual Congress (Science meets Agriculture) Annual flagship event bringing together researchers, C-level executives, and EU stakeholders to discuss policy priorities and the future of the European insect sector.
• IPIFF 2026 Annual Event – Insects for Europe: a Blueprint for EU Leadership in a Circular Bioeconomy Annual event co-hosted with MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral at the European Parliament in Brussels on 8 December 2026, bringing together EU institutions, aquaculture and livestock sectors, and circular-economy champions.
• IPIFF Guide on Good Hygiene Practices Comprehensive guidance document on best practices for quality and hygienic insect production for EU producers of insects as food and feed.
• IPIFF Guide on Food Labelling Practices Guidance document on EU food labelling standards applicable to insects and insect-based products, helping producers comply with FIC (Food Information to Consumers) regulations.
• IPIFF Guide on Good Labelling Practices for Insect-based Feed Materials Guidance document specifically addressing labelling requirements for insect-based feed materials in the European market.
• IPIFF LCA Report 2026 – The Environmental Performance of the Insect Industry Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment report covering data, trends, and context for the environmental performance of the European insect industry.
• IPIFF Policy Roadmap 2024-2029 Policy Priorities of the European Insect Sector document outlining recommendations for EU policymakers for the 2024-2029 legislative period.
• IPIFF EU Consumer Acceptance Survey Report Survey report on European consumer acceptance of insect-based foods, based on a sample of 3,000 people across major EU markets.
• IPIFF Brochure on European Insect Sector Brochure building bridges between the insect production chain, research, and policymakers, presenting perspectives on the evolution of the European insect sector towards 2030.
• IPIFF Factsheets Collection of factsheets covering topics including edible insects market, nutritional benefits, connecting local supply chains, animal nutrition, insect welfare, human nutrition, and good hygiene practices.
• IPIFF Working Groups and Knowledge Platforms Member-only working groups on food safety and consumer information and on feed hygiene and animal nutrition, plus Knowledge Platforms on new feeding substrates and Life Cycle Assessment.
• Insect Sector Events Listing Comprehensive listing of global insect sector events including Insects to Feed the World, INSECTA, INSECTA TALKS, BSF CON, and others, published on the IPIFF website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.5 billion EUR invested in member companies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European ParliamentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2026Co-hosting the 2026 Annual Event 'Insects for Europe: a Blueprint for EU Leadership in a Circular Bioeconomy' at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event is co-hosted by MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral (EPP, Portugal) and brings together EU institutions, aquaculture and livestock sectors, and circular-economy champions.
• DivaksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Lithuanian food-tech company specializing in innovative insect-derived ingredients (Textured Insect Protein) for food and food service markets. Has a fully automated, vertically integrated production system ensuring complete traceability and sustainability.
• ENORMminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Danish company that raised DKK 500 million in 2022-2024 for construction of industrial factory facilities. Secured financing through EIFO and Nykredit Bank, with DLG as part of ownership group. Produces insect meal and insect oil from Black Soldier Fly for fish, poultry, pigs, and pet feed.
• Better Insect Solutions (BIS)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Insect farming concept and solution hub of the Big Dutchman group, comprising Big Dutchman, INNO+, and SKOV. Offers one-stop hub solution for insect production including climate control systems, insect housing, air cleaning, heat recovery, and specialized logistics and feeding systems.
• VDL Insect SystemsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Part of VDL Groep, offering complete range of modular and scalable feeding solutions for each production phase and factory capacity. Contributing to industrialization of the insect sector using the broad network of VDL Groep (105 operating companies in 19 countries with 15,000 employees).
• Insect EngineersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Company with ambition to make BSF farming commercially attractive. Supplies turnkey systems and shares knowledge through Insect School. Developed patented ZOEM racks solution for vertical BSF farming combining flexibility with efficiency of scale.
• LIVIN FarmsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Offers modular and scalable, automated Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) technology and 360° services. Introduced Hive PRO insect factory with turn-key industrial modules. Partners with agricultural corporations and farmers to establish insect farming facilities.
• Insect AcademyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. Organization making learning about insects as food, feed and non-feed applications accessible. Provides research-based learning resources to help consumers and agribusiness professionals grow their knowledge about the insect industry.
• IntersectminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2024Sponsor of IPIFF Congress 2024. First digital marketing agency 100% dedicated to helping insect companies develop winning marketing strategies. Helps insect SMEs and trade associations build impactful brands through websites, pitch decks, promotional videos, and social media campaigns.
• EABA (European Algae Biomass Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021EU umbrella organization for the algae sector partnering with IPIFF and Cofalec in the InnovProtein EU Alliance to support upscaling of EU protein production.
• CofaleccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021EU umbrella organization for the yeast sector partnering with IPIFF and EABA in the InnovProtein EU Alliance to support upscaling of EU protein production.
• InnovProtein EU AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint coalition formed with EABA (European Algae Biomass Association) and Cofalec (yeast sector) to support the upscaling of EU protein production. The alliance represents the algae, yeast, and insect production sectors working together on common policy objectives related to the EU Protein Strategy and Farm to Fork targets.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EuropaBio: Brussels-based EU biotechnology industry association covering industrial biotech, agricultural biotech and healthcare biotech. A broader incumbent whose bioeconomy advocacy work overlaps with IPIFF's circular-economy positioning of insect protein.
• FoodDrinkEurope: Brussels-based umbrella for Europe's food and drink industry, the largest EU food-industry trade body. A broader incumbent that IPIFF engages with on novel-food and labelling rules affecting insect-based foods.
• FEFAC (European Feed Manufacturers' Federation): Brussels-based EU association representing the European compound feed manufacturing industry. A larger, established feed-sector incumbent whose regulatory and policy positions directly shape the market access IPIFF is unlocking for insect PAPs in poultry and pig feed.
• Eurogroup for Animals: Brussels-based EU animal-welfare umbrella federation. Engages the same EU institutions as IPIFF on issues such as insect welfare and feeding substrates that materially affect IPIFF members' operating licence.

Direct peers

• EABA (European Algae Biomass Association): Brussels-based EU umbrella association for the algae sector and a formal alliance partner of IPIFF via InnovProtein EU. Same membership-association model, same Brussels footprint, same EU policy advocacy mission, focused on an adjacent alternative-protein sub-sector.
• Cofalec: EU umbrella association for the yeast sector, the third partner in the InnovProtein EU Alliance alongside IPIFF and EABA. Operates the same Brussels-based industry-association model advocating for an alternative-protein input on EU policy.
• EFFPA (European Former Foodstuff Processors Association): EU association representing processors of former foodstuffs, a feedstock category that intersects with insect production's substrate supply chain. Operates the same Brussels-based advocacy model targeting EU feed and circular-economy regulation.
• ENSA (European Natural Soyfoods Association): Brussels-based trade association representing European producers of soya-based food and drink products. Operates a comparable EU membership-association model advocating plant-based protein in EU food policy, an adjacent alternative-protein sector.

Regional players

• International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed - Asia chapter / Asian Insect Industry Alliance analogues: Regional insect-industry associations operating in Asia-Pacific markets. Perform the same sector-association role as IPIFF but focused on Asian regulators and member companies, and are emerging as natural counterparts in non-EU jurisdictions.
• North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture (NACIA): North-American industry association for the insect agriculture sector, performing the equivalent trade-association function to IPIFF but for the US/Canada market with separate regulatory engagement (FDA/USDA).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRTcnN2FGxZfNt2rPjKUghg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ipiff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IPIFF (International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed)