Recent Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Benefits of Using Hermetia illucens for Bioenergy Production Within a Circular Economy Approach

Luana Bataglia, Antonio Conversano, Daniele Di Bona, Davide Sogni, Diego Voccia, Emanuele Mazzoni () and Lucrezia Lamastra ()
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Luana Bataglia: Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
Antonio Conversano: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milan, Italy
Daniele Di Bona: LEAP s.c. a r.l., Via Nino Bixio 27c, 29121 Piacenza, Italy
Davide Sogni: LEAP s.c. a r.l., Via Nino Bixio 27c, 29121 Piacenza, Italy
Diego Voccia: Department of Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
Emanuele Mazzoni: Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
Lucrezia Lamastra: Department of Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: This study proposes a novel integrated biorefinery approach that combines Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) larvae treatment, anaerobic digestion (AD), and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to enhance the valorisation of fat-rich food residues. The process was designed to improve biogas yields while mitigating the inhibitory effects of lipid accumulation in AD systems. Results from larval bioconversion showed effective fat removal and a promising potential for protein and biomass valorisation. Downstream integration with AD and HTC enabled thermal self-sufficiency, enhanced energy recovery, and improved digestate dewaterability. Additionally, HTC process water recirculation to the AD unit was evaluated, considering its acidic nature and impact on biomethane production. A thermally integrated process flow was proposed, enabling efficient heat exchange and reduced external energy input. The overall system allows for multi-product recovery—including biogas, hydrochar, and larval biomass—offering a sustainable pathway for circular bioeconomy applications. This study illustrates the feasibility of a synergetic process chain that maximises energy recovery and resource efficiency from food industry waste streams.

Keywords: biorefinery; circular economy; bioenergy; sustainability; biomethane; Hermetia illucens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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