A devastating fire at nextProtein’s newly constructed plant has compounded the company’s troubles, as Tunisian officials also halted operations at its established production site. The twin setbacks threaten the biotech firm’s expansion and financial stability.
Established in 2015 by Mohamed Gastli and Syrine Chaalala, nextProtein specializes in producing insect-based feed ingredients through black soldier fly larvae. The company’s process transforms organic waste into protein alternatives, competing with traditional sources like fishmeal and soybean products.
The blaze on October 21, 2026, leveled nextProtein’s second facility in Menzel Bouzelfa, within Tunisia’s Nabeul region. Though the plant was still being equipped and had yet to start full-scale production, the loss marks a major blow to its growth plans.
Just five days earlier, on October 16, regional authorities had already suspended operations and revoked the operating license for nextProtein’s original Grombalia facility. That site, operational since 2020, had supported around 70 employees before the shutdown.
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Local residents and environmental advocates had previously expressed worries about odors, contamination risks, and potential harm to nearby farmland and water supplies. nextProtein has consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming full compliance with environmental standards. The company is now contesting the regulatory decision in court.
Despite these challenges, nextProtein had recently secured €18 million in funding last November, with British International Investment among its backers. Those funds were earmarked for scaling up production to 12,000 tonnes annually. With both facilities now inaccessible, the company’s future remains in limbo.
The crisis shows the hurdles climate-focused ventures face when balancing industrial growth with community opposition, regulatory scrutiny, and environmental protection. Legal outcomes and negotiations with officials will shape nextProtein’s ability to recover and fulfill its business objectives.
Founders Gastli and Chaalala must now handle these obstacles to preserve their company’s trajectory. Their situation reflects broader difficulties for innovative firms operating at the intersection of technology, regulation, and public perception.