Reflections on the Smart Solution Lab Closing Event at Illucens Altstätte, May 6th
This Tuesday marked the closing event of the Smart Solution Lab at Illucens Altstätte, where Team D presented their in-depth research on the potential of BSF (Black Soldier Fly) oil — a sustainable oil derived from insect-based bioconversion. The presentation was the culmination of an 8-week innovation lab and offered both technical insights and a forward-looking market analysis.
The event was graced by inspiring exchanges between students, company representatives, and industry experts. Our hosts at Illucens, under the leadership of CEO Dirk Wessendorf, created an engaging space where research met reality in the best way possible.
Research Insights
Team D’s findings showcased BSF oil as a versatile, bio-based alternative with broad application potential:
- Cosmetics & Personal Care: Rich in fatty acids and lauric acid, offering eco-friendly benefits with high emollient properties.
- Bioplastics: Potential as a biodegradable polymer precursor — a promising route amid growing ESG pressures.
- Bio-lubricants & Coatings: Thermally stable and biodegradable, ideal for sustainable industrial applications.
In addition to market and pricing analysis, the students conducted their own laboratory tests on a BSF oil sample, examining solubility, flammability, and polymer compatibility. These independent experiments provided valuable technical data — not just based on company input, but on hands-on validation.
Moreover, value-based pricing emerged as a strategic lever, positioning BSF oil between low-cost commodity oils and high-end cosmetic oils — targeting customers who value sustainability and functionality.
The Reality Check: Regulation Takes Time
Importantly, Team D’s research also included a deep dive into the regulatory landscape, analyzing how different industries impose varying degrees of approval complexity. Their findings underscored that innovation doesn’t move at the speed of ideas — it moves at the speed of regulation.
Especially in highly regulated sectors like food and cosmetics, the path from idea to market can be long and complex:
- Novel Food applications in the EU require years of documentation, safety studies, and EFSA approval.
- Cosmetic safety assessments span microbiological, toxicological, and chemical stability tests, governed by strict laws like EU Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.
- Pharmaceutical-grade use requires even more rigorous compliance and testing procedures.
Team D addressed these barriers proactively, recommending a phased go-to-market strategy: begin with industrial and bioplastics sectors, where regulations are less restrictive, while laying the groundwork for consumer-facing applications over time.
Smart Labs, Smarter Connections
Events like this show why interdisciplinary collaboration matters. The Smart Solution Lab not only produces concepts — it fosters real-world dialogue between students and entrepreneurs. The team at Illucens generously shared experiences that closely echoed the research results — affirming how spot-on the team’s conclusions were.
We’re especially looking forward to continuing this conversation with Niklas Wolfering at the upcoming Tech Garage on May 15th, hosted at Hengst Filtration in Münster — another chance to bridge innovation with implementation.
Looking Ahead
BSF oil shows enormous promise across industries — but its future depends not only on innovation, but on regulatory readiness, partnerships, and persistence.
Kudos to Team D and the entire Smart Solution Lab crew for an inspiring wrap-up. And special thanks to Dirk Wessendorf, Niklas Wolfering, and the Illucens team for your openness, support, and collaboration!
