Building a sustainable future,
one generation at a time
Turning waste into UK-grown protein and better farming inputs.
Family-led. Science-backed. Operationally proven.
Fairman Knight & Sons is a family-run, sustainable farming business operating the UK’s largest commercial-scale insect Biotechnology Business. We turn surplus food waste into high‑value nutrition and soil health products using black soldier fly biology. Fully-controlled, science‑led and managed in a dedicated environment.
Built on science and experience
Three decades in environmental markets taught us what works.
We’ve built Fairman Knight & Sons on proven principles, tested rigorously against the highest standards of operations.
Upcycling 40,000 tonnes of contracted food waste, sourced within a 15-mile radius
120,000sqft facility in South Lincolnshire’s UK Food Valley
Protein, soil improver, bio-oil, and polysaccharides
Insect farming is alive and thriving
We don’t theorise about insect farming.
We do it. Every day, across a facility built to last generations.
Square feet operational
Production sites live
Largest in Europe
Mile sourcing radius
Practical, not speculative
We chose proven industrial systems and rebuilt them to our standards, commissioning production in measured steps to protect uptime and bank learning.
Circular by design
Waste, much of which would otherwise be incinerated or committed to landfill, becomes clean inputs for UK supply chains — with multiple outputs and clear routes to market.
Trust, built in daylight
We have set food-grade standards for the industry, with full traceability. We work in partnership with APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) and Trading Standards to help set credible benchmarks.
Two urgent problems. One circular solution.
The UK produces millions of tonnes of surplus food waste, and too much still ends up releasing land based emissions.
At the same time, farming relies heavily on imported protein feed with locked-in emissions and fragile supply chains. We use bioconversion to turn organic waste into valuable products that support a more resilient UK food system.
Investors & Funders
Support a circular economy, support a UK-first.
Waste suppliers
Food waste turned measurable circular outcomes, with reporting and transparency built in.
Feed customers
UK-sourced, traceable protein with supply security and science-led production.
Trusted partners who know the difference
Meet our people
Experience meets innovation, expertise meets dedication.
Our team unites decades of experience in environmental finance, food processing, and entomology, with a shared belief that UK agriculture needs better solutions.
Practical insights. Fewer buzzwords. More proof.
If you’d like to see the operation first-hand, we’d love to show you around — and talk through how we work, what we produce, and where we’re headed next.
Latest Articles
Browse by theme
From measurement to meaningful environmental progress
At FKS, we’re continuing to strengthen how we measure, understand and reduce our environmental impact, because meaningful progress starts with clear, credible evidence. T
FKS shortlisted in three categories at the FPC Fresh Awards 2026
Lincolnshire insect-farming and biotech pioneer FKS has been recognised for climate, innovation and supply chain sustainability excellence in these national awards, following recent Global…
Fairman Knight & Sons announced as a Circular Economy finalist in the Global Good Awards 2026
Fairman Knight & Sons (FKS) is thrilled to announce it has been shortlisted for the Global Good Awards 2026, reaching the finals in the Circular Economy category for its entry, “Closing the Food…
Inclusion in action: Welcoming young talent and championing EDI at Fairman Knight & Sons
Given that the average person spends 35 -40 hours per week at work, which is around 1,700-1,850 hours annually, and, over a typical 45- to 50-year career, roughly 84,000-90,000 hours on the job,…
How past experience can sharpen future endeavours in industry
Discover how our CEO and Co-founder, Julian Knight’s career history and experiences continue to support his work today.
Visit Fairman Knight & Sons
If you’d like to see the operation first-hand, we’d love to show you around — and talk through how we work, what we produce, and where we’re headed next.