Plastic-sealing caterpillars become food for space travel

The start-up Norbite has patented a technology that uses plastic-eating caterpillars to get rid of waste while serving as nutritious food. The company is now being accepted into the ESA-BIC space incubator with the aim of using the larvae to solve the food and waste challenges of long-duration space travel.

- "Using these larvae and our technology, we are solving two problems at once, the management of plastic waste in the spacecraft and providing the crew with nutritious food for several months," says Nathalie Berezina, founder of Norbite.

In space, circularity is an absolute necessity, especially for long space flights. Solid waste management and reuse is mandatory. Yet, plastic waste is particularly difficult to manage in space due to its chemical diversity and physical properties. Enabling the crew to become self-sufficient in food is also of high importance.

Norbite's technology is based on the wax moth larvae breaking down plastic and producing high-quality protein, fat and fiber. Around 100 larvae consume a plastic bag in about 24 hours.

Becoming part of the space incubator

Norbite is now accepted into the national space incubator ESA-BIC Sweden, which means that they receive SEK 500,000 in product development grants, access to expert help and business development support through Innovatum Science Park's incubator.

- It feels very, very good! The acceptance is an important recognition from one of the most technologically advanced organizations in the world. We are no longer alone on the journey but look forward to getting great help and support from a team of experienced professionals in a number of important areas," says Nathalie.

Norbite has previously received the Venture Cup Space Prize and was recently one of the winners of the Njord Nest sustainability competition.

- "Norbite has a very exciting technology that is related to several of the Sustainable Development Goals. We look forward to helping them scale their technology and validate their goal of developing an insect biorefinery that can provide food for astronauts on long space flights," says Sammie Chimusoro, the company's new business coach at Innovatum Science Park.