Glasgow’s notable Met Tower, famously decorated in pink and situated above George Square, is being considered as a potential site for urban insect farms, as urban agriculture expands its reach in the city. The building has remained vacant for approximately a decade since plans for a £60 million commercial hub aimed at tech and digital businesses failed to materialise.

The distinctive Brutalist structure, along with various other unused city centre buildings, is now viewed by agritech startup STAX as a promising location for innovative animal feed production. STAX proposes utilising the space to establish urban farms using vertical farming techniques and insect cultivation, specifically focusing on black soldier flies and crickets. The company aims to develop a circular system of animal feed production that diverges from traditional feeds, which typically rely heavily on soy, fishmeal, rice, and wheat.

The STAX model envisions growing insects alongside micro-nutritious grains within modular containers. This innovative approach is intended not only to mitigate the environmental impact associated with conventional feed production but also to revitalise Glasgow’s many cherished, yet neglected, architectural landmarks. Jamie Culpan, founder of STAX, indicated the urgency and viability of this venture by stating, “Glasgow was once known as one of the world’s leading manufacturing hubs… I believe agritech could have as much impact on this city as shipbuilding once did.” He is set to present STAX’s model to investors at the StartUp Grind Global Conference in California’s Silicon Valley, following the company’s selection as one of the event’s Global Top 100 Companies.

The global market for animal feed pellets is approximately valued at $600 billion and is projected to grow to $680 billion within the next decade. STAX intends to target several key areas, beginning with the UK’s £25 million game feed market and subsequently branching into the £90 million insect-based pet food sector and the poultry and aquaculture markets. These sectors are reportedly in urgent need of sustainable feed solutions due to rising environmental regulations.

Unlike conventional animal feeds often linked to damaging agricultural practices such as deforestation, particularly in regions like the Amazon, STAX’s method of utilising insects presents an alternative that reflects growing concerns over the sustainability of food production. The startup’s vision includes harvesting up to five tons of insects daily, with an estimated production of around 30 tons of insect-based feed pellets weekly, all while controlling factors such as noise, heat, and smells within the urban farm environments.

Culpan’s enthusiasm extends to the potential for collaboration with Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow City Innovation District to identify suitable buildings for establishing these urban farms. He expressed ambition to rejuvenate some of the city’s derelict spaces, particularly pointing to the Met Tower as a prime candidate. “I’d like to start using some of Glasgow’s iconic, derelict buildings and give them a new lease of life while establishing vertical farming,” he stated.

As STAX prepares to pursue crucial funding, it has already secured £500,000 in pre-orders from an esteemed farming estate. Culpan, who transitioned from managing The Garage nightclub to studying at Strathclyde Business School to further his urban farming aspirations, has expressed a long-term vision for the company. He expects rapid growth, projecting significant expansion and innovation in the agritech sector, aiming for STAX to become one of Scotland’s leading companies in sustainable food production.

Source: Noah Wire Services