PRESS RELEASE 03.03.2026
REPLOID Group AG: Feierliche Eröffnung der ersten landwirtschaftlichen ReFarmUnit
WELS, Austria – March 3, 2026 – Yesterday saw the official opening of the first insect-rearing plant (ReFarmUnit) operated by a REPLOID customer, Steinberger ReFarmUnit GmbH, in Burghausen, Bavaria, Germany.
The ceremony was co-hosted by Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and Deputy Minister President of the Free State of Bavaria; Michaela Langer-Weninger, Regional Minister of Upper Austria; Florian Schneider, Mayor of Burghausen; and Philip Pauer, CEO of REPLOID Group AG.
Die Technologie der ReFarmUnit wurde von REPLOID entwickelt und implementiert. Die industrielle Anlage befindet sich in einer Halle mit einer Grundfläche von 24 x 60 Metern. Darin wird täglich ein optimierter Mix aus rund 40 Tonnen organischer Reststoffe aus der Landwirtschaft und der Lebensmittelindustrie von etwa einer halben Milliarde Larven der schwarzen Soldatenfliege verarbeitet. Die Larven sind hochwertige Quellen für tierische Proteine und Fette. Deren Aus- und Abscheidungen bilden die Basis für den organischen Dünger AgriVio.
Designed as a decentralized, modular, and scalable system, the ReFarmUnit sources its feedstock within a radius of roughly 50 kilometers.
Philip Pauer, Founder and CEO of REPLOID, stated: “The opening of the Burghausen facility is certainly a milestone for us. It was one of those days that show what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Our solutions are now in demand around the world, and we continue to pursue our mission true to our motto, ‘Forward for Change.’”
State Minister Hubert Aiwanger said: “This insect-rearing plant addresses one of the core challenges of modern agriculture.” In view of limited resources and volatile prices—while approximately 88 million tons of food are discarded each year—he added: “When food waste, plant residues, or slaughter by-products can once again be turned into valuable resources and even generate additional income, it opens up new prospects for agriculture.”
In recognition of this innovative approach to recycling organic residues, State Minister Aiwanger presented Mr. Simon Steinberger, majority shareholder of Steinberger ReFarmUnit, with a funding certificate for EUR 880,000.
The project is supported under the BayBioeconomy Scale-UP funding program, part of Bavaria’s bioeconomy strategy “Zukunft.Bioökonomie.Bayern.” The initiative aims to keep biological resources circulating efficiently, reduce reliance on fossil raw materials, and strengthen sustainable, regional value chains.
Upper Austria’s Minister Michaela Langer-Weninger added: “Agriculture has developed centuries of expertise in natural cycles, and now it is time to combine this knowledge with modern approaches so that together we can create a more resilient and resource-efficient future. I am therefore especially pleased that this innovative idea comes not only from Austria, but specifically from Upper Austria. We are not only the industrial engine of Austria, but also the country’s leading agricultural region.”
Mayor Florian Schneider: „With the ReFarmUnit, a new chapter in modern agriculture is beginning here in Burghausen. This is where regional residual materials are turned into a high-quality raw material for international markets. The fact that a family-run farm is taking this step deserves great respect. Projects like this show that sustainable agriculture, economic success, and technological innovation can go hand in hand.“
About REPLOID GROUP AG
REPLOID Group AG (“REPLOID”) produces premium proteins, lipids, and organic fertilizers derived from black soldier fly farming. At the REPLOID ReFarmUnits, rearing facilities built for its customers, young larvae supplied by REPLOID are fed customized blends of residual materials sourced from local food supply chains. Once mature, the larvae are collected by REPLOID for centralized processing and marketing.
Through large-scale industrial upcycling, REPLOID offers an economically viable and sustainable solution to advance the circular economy. The Group’s business model enables efficient valorization of food residues and surplus food resources, sustainably supporting the preservation of vital natural resources.
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Wels, Austria, REPLOID Group AG maintains a global focus and has been listed since July 2025 on the Vienna Stock Exchange’s direct market plus segment (ticker: HRX5). The Group has approximately 80 employees.
Contact for inquiries
Mag. Hans Lang | Director Group Communications | +43 660 693 45 63 | presse@reploid.eu