PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF PROTEIN AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT FROM PLASTICS, THROUGH BIOCONVERSION WITH INSECTS.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing insect protein and a soil amendment from plastic waste using a controlled bioconversion system. The process comprises four main stages: (i) collection, sorting, shredding, washing, and drying of LDPE and / or polystyrene plastics; (ii) rearing and feeding insects, preferably Tenebrio molitor or Zophobas morio, with a plastimide formulated from shredded plastic, vegetable flours, and organic additives; (iii) processing the larvae by dehydration and packaging them as a protein source; and (iv) thermal valorization of excrement by pyrolysis to obtain biochar-type soil amendment and liquid biofuel. The invention provides a comprehensive, scalable, and sustainable solution for utilizing plastic waste through biological processes, generating products useful for the agri-food and energy industries.