Helping reduce pressure on the Amazon rainforest through the use of insect protein as an alternative source of animal feed.
MIT D-Lab Class
Entrepreneurship for the Idealist
Student team
MIT students unless otherwise noted.
- Beatriz G. Klink - MS 2023
- Ingrid Glitz - MBA 2024
Location
Brazil
Problem
The meat industry alone is responsible for 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in the food industry, and the demand for ABFs is expected to surge as the world's population grows. Arari offers a solution that can decarbonize ABFs without having to change consumer eating habits. The company's circular production model involves using organic waste-by-products from human and industrial sources, which would otherwise end up in landfills. By partnering with supermarket and food producers, Arari can up-cycle food waste to generate insect-meal, a high-quality protein alternative to soy and fishmeal in food supply chains. This approach not only addresses emissions but also contributes to protecting biodiversity and natural environments from various angles. Arari intends to work as a multi-faceted approach to decarbonizing food systems by functioning in an inclusive business model addressing the underlying social and environmental causes of ABF production.
Theory of change
Arari's theory of change is centered around a circular production model that takes advantage of the innate feeding behavior and aptitude of insects to transform organic waste into premium protein and other valuable outputs. By using organic waste from industrial sources as inputs, Arari aims to create a sustainable, scalable, and circular solution for decarbonizing meat production in Brazil. This approach not only addresses greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes to protecting biodiversity and natural environments. Arari's business model aims to create a circular production system where waste is used to produce insect-based protein, which serves as a high-quality protein source for animal feed. By utilizing food waste that would otherwise end up in landfills and partnering with food producers, Arari can help greatly reduce the global-warming potential of meat production. Ultimately, Arari aims to be a multi-faceted approach to decarbonizing food systems by functioning in an inclusive business model that addresses the underlying social and environmental causes of animal-based food production.
Proposed solution
Arari, aims to revolutionize the animal-based food (ABF) industry by providing a sustainable, scalable, and circular solution for decarbonizing meat production. We are leveraging insects' natural feeding habits and ability to convert organic waste into high-quality protein and valuable by-products. Arari's business model involves creating a circular production system where organic waste is used to produce insect-based protein, which serves as a high-quality protein source for animal feed. The waste generated by insects can then be used as a potent biofertilizer. This approach offers a practical solution to address the challenges associated with the rising demand for ABFs, which is expected to surge by 70-80% by 2050, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting biodiversity and natural environments.
Contact
Manish Bhardwaj, Entrepreneurship for the Idealist Instructor