Maltento - WWF
About
The Maltento – WWF partnership aims to contribute to a more sustainable food system by expanding the commercialization of insect-based feed additives for pet food, aquaculture and agriculture. By using Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), industrial by-products and food waste are repurposed, supporting climate-smart agriculture and helping to reduce carbon emissions associated with conventional feed production.
Investing in Impact
P4G has awarded the partnership with approximately US $320,000 in grant funding.
Today, 80% of the world’s soybean crop and 25% of global fish catches are used for animal feed, contributing to deforestation, overfishing and rising carbon emissions. Traditional feed sources such as soy and fishmeal place increasing pressure on natural ecosystems.
Maltento, a South African startup, offers a BSFL-based alternative designed to complement existing feed solutions. Unlike many insect protein companies that focus on bulk protein and oil, Maltento specializes in high-value additives that can be incorporated into a wide range of pet food, aquaculture and livestock feed. These additives provide key benefits for animals, including enhanced gut health, improved digestion, stronger immunity and overall well-being. By delivering these nutritional advantages, Maltento’s approach aims to support healthier animal growth while also increasing market accessibility for sustainable feed solutions.
During the partnership period, Maltento will work towards strengthening its operations and increasing its readiness for scaling and investment. Key areas of focus include identifying and addressing production inefficiencies, securing international certifications to meet industry standards, expanding market engagement through outreach initiatives, website updates and social media presence, and developing relationships with suppliers and customers.
WWF South Africa, a leading organization in biodiversity conservation and climate action, will support the measurement and verification of Maltento’s impact. WWF will also help facilitate connections with key industry and regulatory stakeholders to assist Maltento on its investment-readiness journey.
Over the next 18 months, Maltento hopes to secure more than US $3 million in commercial funding, increase year-on-year revenue growth from 116% to 158%, create around 27 new jobs, and help reduce approximately 1,200 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.
The partnership comprises the following partners: Maltento (lead business partner); WWF South Africa (lead administrative partner).
Partners
