• Production is focused on shrimp, snakehead, and tilapia, with some niche species including swamp eel and butter catfish
The Singapore-based startup with operations in Thailand, Full Circle Biotechnology, has secured funding to build a 7,000-ton per year insect protein facility in Kanchanaburi, northwest of Bangkok. Construction began in mid-September 2025, and production is expected to start at the end of November 2025, according to founder and CEO Felix Collins. Production is focused on shrimp, snakehead, and tilapia, with some niche species including swamp eel and butter catfish.
“That empowers our partner farms to produce enough sustainable seafood for over 13 million sustainable meals. That’s twice as much sustainable protein as everything Beyond Meat sold in United States (US) restaurants last year. But sustainable seafood isn’t ultra-processed. It doesn’t rely on mass behavior change or dwindling, fully-exploited resources,” Collins commented.
“And best of all, our partner farms are selling at market price. Together, we’re making green, traceable protein available to everybody in society, not just the well-off. We’re stretching ourselves to have the facility up and running by year end. It’s incredibly exciting to have such a clear path to scaling up our real, tangible impact. We brought together our partner farms, stakeholders and friends to announce this over the weekend. I’m immensely proud of what you have achieved so far,” he added.
Eastern, Central, and Southern Thailand
The facility’s output is fully reserved by existing customers, primarily aquaculture farmers in eastern, central, and southern Thailand. The plant operates on a modular design, sourcing microbes and young larvae from contractors and outsourcing certain steps, such as pellet coating. Full vertical integration is planned from 2026.
The company did not disclose funding or valuation but confirmed investors include venture firm Rypples, family offices, and high net worth individuals, through a combination of equity and non-dilutive financing. Full Circle Biotechnology owns and operates the Kanchanaburi facility, emphasizing semi-automated processes. Collins explained that avoiding full automation reduces capital expenditure while maintaining quality assurance and requires fewer staff, which is suitable for an early-stage operation.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae and Microbial Protein
The protein meal combines black soldier fly larvae and microbial protein produced via solid-state fermentation using agricultural and food industry byproducts, such as cassava pulp. The feed can replace up to 75% of fishmeal in aquaculture. Unlike most processors, the company does not defat the biomass; processing is limited to grinding, sterilization, and low-temperature drying. This approach preserves protein quality while producing a consistent range of protein grades, including fishmeal-grade material exceeding 70% protein dry matter with a favorable amino acid profile.
The final golden-brown protein meal is incorporated into pellets at a 15% inclusion rate and distributed directly to farmers, supporting efficient substitution of fishmeal and addressing growing local demand for sustainable aquaculture feed.
Reduction in Carbon Footprint and Biodiversity Loss Almost Overnight
According to its members, Full Circle Biotechnology builds and deploy biological ecosystems to solve the biggest challenges facing the food system. “Protein is the most pressing. Advancements in technology have not significantly reduced the cost and carbon footprint of protein,” they assure.
For them, replacing the unsustainable protein that makes up most animal feed with a cost-effective product can dramatically decrease carbon footprint and biodiversity loss almost overnight. «With approximately 12.5% of greenhouse gases coming from animal feed, a simple ingredient switch could create incredible impact for humanity.»
For that reason, Full Circle Biotechnology look to offer to its customers animal feed that reduces costs and carbon footprint, with products available on the market in Thailand. They invite their customers to join their journey «as we challenge industry norms to make lasting change. It’s happening already,» they finish.
Finalist from a Pool of over 2,000 Startups Around the World
The following week Felix Collins will be in Silicon Valley, in the US, on stage at the THRIVE Global Impact Summit 2025. Full Circle Biotechnology was selected as a finalist (top 3 globally for Food Tech), chosen from a pool of over 2,000 startups around the world. “We’re proud to be among this year’s standout innovators tackling the world’s biggest challenges in agtech, food, and sustainability, standing next to some truly groundbreaking startups and VCs Paula Elliott, SVG Ventures,” he said.
