Maltento was founded in 2016 by Dean Smorenburg in Cape Town, South Africa, with the goal of transforming agricultural waste into a sustainable source of protein through the farming of black soldier flies. Maltento’s solution not only reduces emissions from traditional protein supply chains such as soy and fishmeal but also helps farmers lower costs, improve livestock productivity, and reduce animal health risks.
The company’s flagship product, PALATE+, is a feed additive derived from black soldier fly larvae that has been proven to strengthen immune systems and reduce mortality rates in rainbow trout, as demonstrated in studies conducted in Lesotho. In addition, Maltento offers dried larvae and insect protein powder, supplying the animal feed and pet food industries in markets including the EU, the UK, and Vietnam. The product delivers clear benefits—improving feed conversion efficiency by 15% in aquaculture and enhancing skin and coat health in animals.
Participation in the P4G Vietnam Summit 2025 provided Maltento with an opportunity to present its insect protein production model to a global network of partners in sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. With support from the National Startup Support Center (NSSC), Maltento not only expanded its network in the Asian market but also engaged with investors and development organizations interested in low-emission solutions and livestock system transformation.
With thousands of tons of organic waste being reused and over 1,300 tons of CO₂ emissions reduced, Maltento is scaling its operations internationally, including into Vietnam, and replicating its circular model for sustainable agriculture on a global scale.
