King Willem-Alexander opens new insect breeding facilities of Protix
11.06.2019
On 11 June 2019, His Majesty the King Willem-Alexander visited the new-build insect breeding facilities of Protix in Bergen op Zoom. The farmed insects form a raw material full of proteins and other nutrients for animal feed. Kraaijvanger Architects designed a minimalist high-tech closed building surrounded by a green insect-friendly environment. A huge transparent window invites you to come and take a look at the hygienic and tightly organized environment, via a special routing. Protix, which is also celebrating its 10th anniversary, gave a tour to King Willem-Alexander and Minister Carola Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Design process
Within 10 years, Protix has grown from an idea to a company with 110 employees, operating in 15 countries. Kraaijvanger supported Protix by getting a grip on a complex situation.
"Kraaijvanger played an important role in the hectic pace of the design process and managed to shape the optimum accommodation for the high-tech production process of our growing company with maximum flexibility and adaptability."
During concentrated workshops, priorities were set and the building took shape step by step. The central idea was to be able to adjust the design right up to the last moment. By linking BIM design models to the modeled installations of Protix, a very good integration between building and production technology was created. Future operators were involved in the design process with advanced VR installations. Kraaijvanger also designed the interior for Protix. Protix customers can follow the process from egg to end product according to a routing through the building.
“We are very honored to receive King Willem-Alexander on 11 June during the opening of our state-of-the-art insect breeding facilities in Bergen op Zoom. Insects are grown here which convert vegetable residual flows into sustainable protein for a future-proof, circular food chain. Protix is one of the leading Agritech scale-ups in the world. The opening of the new production facility in Bergen op Zoom is a real transformation not only for Protix but for the entire insect industry. This nursery is unique in the Netherlands, Europe and the world. Protix has been in existence for 10 years this year and is an example of innovation in the Agrifood sector ”.