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Alternative Proteins APRIL 2025 issue is out! yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

My vision of insect farming is not that it’s starting to push out mainstream agriculture, but it more comes alongside it and helps to support it, as well as provide new revenue opportunities and new ways in which you can create value. A great example is that a farmer can have a container where they’re farming black soldier fly and feeding them with organic byproducts from their own activities, and then feeding the larvae in a live state to their poultry.

The UK is one of the regions where the insect industry is developing rapidly. The UK Edible Insect Association (UKEIA), which represents the sector, emphasises the growing interest in the sector and the increasing number of members. The association also notes that food-related companies are also interested in insect bioconversion for waste management. However, the slow pace of legislation on insect farming and the use of insect-based proteins, as well as the cautious policies of governments towards this field, stand as one of the biggest obstacles to the growth of the sector.

Emphasising the strong potential of insect bioconversion to manage waste, Dr. Nick Rousseau, Founder and Managing Director of UKEIA, is hopeful for the future. Dr. Rousseau, who believes that the traditional livestock sector and the insect sector should go hand in hand for a sustainable food system, discussed the UK insect sector, the potential of insects in terms of sustainability, and the relationship between traditional livestock and insect farming, for the readers of our magazine. Details in our interview…

Mr. Rousseau, could you introduce the UK Edible Insect Association to our readers who are not familiar with you? What can you tell us about your organisation and your work?
The UK Edible Insect Association is the only trade association that supports companies working with all forms of farmed insect protein in the UK market. We have members from across the supply chain, and actually have new members joining just about every week. To illustrate, we recently had a Kenyan pet food company that wants to enter the market called Loop Pet Food, and one of the major waste management services, Packaged Solutions. We have a very diverse membership from small companies to substantial ones. Our role is to build connections between different companies to help them find supply chain relationships, partnerships, etc.

There are certainly more companies forming in the sector. I started the UKEIA ten years ago. I was doing it as an enthusiast, as I had an interest in the sector. Over the years, it’s become much more of a substantial trade association. So, we’re providing a broader range of services and developing many different resources. As the membership grows, it’s more useful for people to become a member because they can then access that network, as well as that set of resources. So, it is a snowballing effect.

To mention some of the things we’ve done recently, we worked with the Food Standards Agency and submitted a number of novel food dossiers to get approval for edible insects in the UK. We’ve partnered with the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre and we have also created a Directory of over 50 academic specialists and their research facilities, so that our members have access to those research resources. Additionally, we do a lot of public-facing work, particularly around the future of food, attending events, providing tastings, etc.

What is the current state of the insect industry in the UK? How many farms are involved in insect farming, what is their production, what species are usually farmed (or allowed to be farmed) and what is the most common use of these farmed insects?
The current state of the industry is rapidly changing. We have about 35 company members, but we map other companies that are not yet joined. There are nearly 20 companies that we know focused on pet food, a similar number of aiming at products for human consumption and nearly 25 companies working on livestock feed. But some of them are farms, some are product companies, while others are technology companies. The number of farms is quite fluid, as some people start up a farming operation to just test it out.

Most farms in the UK are farming black soldier flies, which is a very good insect to farm for livestock feed. There are a few that farm mealworms, and even fewer that farm crickets or other invertebrates.

What we’ve been seeing is a growing interest amongst the large-scale food sector players in the UK. Big retail chains, including Tesco and Waitrose, are actively looking at how they can use insect bioconversion to manage their waste.

I think over the next five years, we could potentially see 30 to 40 insect farming sites across the UK, each potentially on the scale of 30,000 tons per year. That means there could be 1 million tons of insect farming production per year, but that is still a very small amount of the actual potential. In its report titled The Future of Feed: A WWF Roadmap to Accelerating Insect Protein in UK Feeds, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) predicts that UK insect farms could convert 3.4 million tons of feed substrate into protein.

At the moment, I would say the biggest market opportunity is in pet food. It’s been projected that insect protein for pet food, if it secured just 5 percent of the market, would require 20,000 tons a year. That is an area where there are less restrictive legislations, and there’s no issue with consumer acceptance. Consumers are very happy to feed their pets food that is good for them and it is really good for dogs and cats to have insect in their diets. The production pipeline is also a bit freer. So, the pet food sector is one where there’s a lot of growth, and innovation and some intriguing companies. So, I think we’re very much at a turning point. It’s an exciting time and there’s a lot of growth potential.

Although insect farming is a relatively new field, it has been growing rapidly in recent years worldwide, especially in Europe. How do you evaluate the growth and expansion momentum of the sector in the world and in the UK? What are the factors that support and restrict this growth?
I think we see a key role for the government. The countries where we’ve seen a lot of growth have been the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Singapore. These are countries where the government has worked closely with the industry to really put in place the conditions that stimulate and support insect farming and the use of insect protein.

The Netherlands has a strong sector focus, like with Wageningen University, which is one of the world leading research centres for farmed insect protein. They were the first movers in Europe. Additionally, Switzerland has done a lot of work to establish a farming license model. And Singapore has opened the market for insect protein substantially.

Europe has generally been more cautious, which has been frustrating for a number of our food related companies. Post-Brexit, the UK has become a challenging environment. We’ve worked closely with the Food Standards Agency to get a transitional arrangement for insects as food. And now we’re seeing Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK consulting on the use of processed insect protein for pigs and poultry, as well as aquaculture.

So, things are moving in the right direction. But that legislative piece is absolutely key, because insects have huge potential, if they can be fed on a variety of different feedstocks. They can be offered as feed to a variety of different types of consumers, whether it’s livestock, pet food or human. At the moment, legislation is not fit for purpose as it very much constrains those aspects.

The other thing that we’re seeing is that, as this is a new field, a lot of the local authorities and their enforcement teams are not familiar with insect farming and they don’t know what to look for. So, getting a license to operate, as well as getting the necessary certificates can make it challenging to set up an insect farm in the UK.

In terms of pure volume, there’s no doubt that insect bioconversion is going to be the really big player. That’s because the alternatives for using food waste or organic co-products are huge. So, we have very large food supply chains where there’s a lot of material that is not being used and is currently going to landfill. We’re talking about millions of tons, and the British government is really clamping down on food waste going to landfill. They’re putting a requirement on companies and local authorities to separate out their food waste and to find better uses for them. That’s going to really put pressure on these large organizations to find new options and alternatives. That’s where our sector is really going to be able to step up. Some of the companies that we have as members are, in fact, struggling because the potential demand for their services is far outstripping their capacity to deliver, and we are helping them secure investment to expand.

So, I think in volume terms, the conversion of organic co-products from the food system into protein, which is primarily going to service the livestock sector and pet food, is going to be a huge area. But human food also has a lot of potential.

Which area will see the most widespread use of insect-based proteins: human food or animal feed? Insects are a traditional food source in some parts of the world, but for many people they are a relatively new type of food. How ready do you think people are to consume insect-based foods?
There is a recent survey that was done in the UK, US, Netherlands and France. It found that 57% of consumers were willing to consume insects once the benefits have been explained, but 96% of those who tried them said they liked them, and that they would try them again. So once people have tried something, they do like it. It’s the initial idea that could be a bit odd for people in Europe. But when they try the right products, whether its different dishes, cakes or bars, they love them. And then, it’s a matter of wanting more. In the end, I think we really will see the market shoot up, though there is certainly a lack of familiarity. In Western Europe, some people are very cautious in their eating behaviours. They like what’s familiar. Other people are much more open to trying new things.

A popular food that’s substantial now like sushi, was a weird and strange concept at first, but it has become much more accepted recently. So, I would expect to see different groups of people adopting products with insects in different ways. Athletic people really see the benefit of insect protein because they are more complete form of protein than many plant-based options.
If you look across the world, just about any tropical country will have insects which have been traditionally harvested in the wild and part of the natural diet. There is evidence that people have been eating insects since the dawn of time. But it is now that they’re looking at farming them, as the human population have got so large that you could decimate an ecosystem if everyone was eating the insects in the wild. And that’s why I use the phrase farmed insect protein.

It has been reported that the number of farm animals and animal production in the UK have declined in recent years. Do you think this is due to the changing consumer preferences, price increases in feed raw materials or other reasons such as alternative proteins?
Well, I do acknowledge that it’s a tough time for the farming sector. I have a number of friends who are farmers, and there’s certainly a lot of pressure on the system. I would say that the decline in farm animals and animal production is likely due to a combination of factors which could include changing consumer preferences and concerns about the environmental impact of livestock farming.

Clearly there are more options now in the supermarkets and people are considering where to go when they spend their food money.

Could this decline be an opportunity for the insect industry? Can alternative protein sources such as insects replace traditional proteins? In other words, do you see your sector as a competitor or a supporter of the traditional livestock sector?
I think this decline is an opportunity to partner with the food system. I’m certainly concerned about some of the trends in alternative food production, which seem to be going down a very high tech, ultra processed route. Insects are fundamentally a natural resource and the farming of insects can be incorporated into different regenerative farming or circular economy models. Farmers or companies working in the food space can embrace insect farming as part of other activities they do, and therefore extend their revenue, make better use of some of the resources.

My vision of insect farming is not that it’s starting to push out mainstream agriculture, but it more comes alongside it and helps to support it, as well as provide new revenue opportunities and new ways in which you can create value. A great example is that a farmer can have a container where they’re farming black soldier fly and feeding them with organic byproducts from their own activities, and then feeding the larvae in a live state to their poultry. That’s really good for the poultry from a behavioral as well as health perspective.

So, think that the traditional livestock sector and insect protein sector can go hand in hand, and I hope that they will. I recognize that there are growing concerns about the environmental footprint of livestock farming, but I know the sector is actively looking at what can be done to improve that. A part of that is what the livestock are fed on, as the methane emissions that come from livestock production are partly affected by their diet.

So, I think we need to work together. The sector is at a stage where companies are looking to their own products and their own niche market. What I think we could be doing is joining hands more across these sectors.

For example, if you have a restaurant chain that’s making a beef-based product, and you want to reduce your environmental footprint, instead of using 100 percent beef it could be just 80 percent with 20 percent insect material. It would not only enhance the flavour, but also reduce the carbon footprint, and keep the beef operation. So, I think there’s lots of ways we can coexist and work in partnership with mainstream farming, as part of a general drive to improve the world. Though that transition has to be managed very carefully, and I think we need to maintain our focus on the environment.

We need to find ways of taking everything together: We need to take the farming community with us as we go on the journey towards a more sustainable future.

UKEIA is preparing for the Nest 1.0 conference set to take place in late April. Finally, can you tell us a bit about the conference and its importance for the insect protein industry?
Absolutely. NEST 1.0, which we expect to be running as a series, is going to be a business-to-business event, not an academic conference. It’s going to be hosted by Nottingham University Food Sciences Campus on the 24th and 25th of April.

We’re going to have a mix of business success stories, panel discussions, practical workshops, lab visits, and a substantial exhibition. We’re also going to allow a lot of time for networking and collaboration. Some of the topics we’re going to cover are going to be about how the national supermarkets are embracing farmed insect protein in their waste strategies, how to get the necessary certifications for insect farming. There is going to be an exhibition of different insect farming and food companies, and there’ll be a lunchtime buffet which will include edible insect products to sample from some of our members. Finally, with exclusive briefings on the latest funding from Government and NAPIC, it will be extremely good value. You can register through our Eventbrite page or you can see further the details on our own website.

About Dr. Nick Rousseau
Dr. Nick Rousseau is the founder of UKEIA, and has worked consistently over many years to support more sustainable food solutions – in 2009 he founded a local food growing cooperative and ran it for 5 years before working in the Sheffield Junk Food Project.
In 2015 he founded the Woven Network CIC – UK’s (international) network focused on supporting entrepreneurs and researchers working on the opportunities around insects for food and feed.
As a result of his work with Woven, Rousseau has built an extensive international network of people involved in insect farming and gained a broad understanding of the many issues facing the sector and the opportunities that insect farming offers. He has been asked to speak about the potential of insect protein in the Houses of Parliament, at a policy think-tank event on the future of food and at academic and business conferences. He holds BA, MSc and PhD degrees in psychology from the universities of Cambridge, Loughborough and Sheffield with a focus on psychology and user-centred system design.

Traditional food production and insect farming for protein go hand in hand yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

To date, at least 11 insect species, mostly in the larval stage, have been identified as capable of biodegrading plastics. The most thoroughly documented in terms of efficiency are T. molitor, Tenebrio obscurus, Zophobas atratus, and Galleria mellonella —all noted for their ability to consume and transform EPS and other types of plastic. Similar behaviors have also been observed in other insects such as the black soldier fly, cockroaches, and termites, though more research is needed to confirm their actual effectiveness in plastic degradation.

Imagine a larva that eats plastic, digests it, and transforms it into protein for fish — which then feeds people. Not only that: It also produces fertilizer for crops. It sounds promising. But it also raises important questions: Is it safe? Is it viable? In this article, we explore the latest scientific evidence behind this emerging method for reducing plastic waste and generating valuable bio inputs.

THE GLOBAL PLASTIC WASTE PROBLEM
Each year, humanity produces more plastic than it can manage. In 2021, global plastic production surpassed 390 million tonnes (Yang et al., 2024).

Once used, plastic begins a second life —as waste— found in the oceans, in the soil, and even in human bodies:
• It is estimated that around 6.4 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year and that over 60% of marine litter is composed of plastic (Yang et al., 2024).
• As plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, they alter the composition and function of soil microbiomes, release toxins, and disrupt both root development and nutrient flow in crops (Siddiqui et al., 2024).
• Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, and even in the placenta. Although research is still underway, scientists are increasingly concerned about their possible effects — including damage to our cells and organs, problems with reproduction and metabolism, and increased stress in the body (Yang et al., 2024).

THE CHALLENGE OF PLASTIC DEGRADATION
There are still no truly safe and effective processes for breaking plastic down. Chemical treatment, while more advanced, requires months of processing and the use of corrosive substances such as nitric acid, posing serious environmental risks (Bonilla-Amaya et al., 2024).

But why are plastics so hard to degrade? Because they are designed to last. Their structure is so stable that most microorganisms cannot break them down. They lack weak points for easy cleavage, and their large molecular chains are too big to enter microbial cells where digestion should occur (Yang et al., 2024).

Since the 1960s, scientists have searched for microbes capable of degrading plastic, but very few have proven effective. That’s why plastics can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries.

Still, while the term “biodegradation” is usually linked to microbes, new frontiers are being explored —and some of them involve insects as a promising and sustainable alternative.

A DUAL SOLUTION WITH PLASTIC-EATING LARVAE
Although the plastic problem has been studied for over half a century, the idea that certain insects could degrade it is relatively recent. In 2015, collaborative studies across 28 countries confirmed that larvae of Tenebrio molitor —also known as yellow mealworm— were able to consume expanded polystyrene (EPS) (Yang et al., 2024).

To date, at least 11 insect species, mostly in the larval stage, have been identified as capable of biodegrading plastics. The most thoroughly documented in terms of efficiency are T. molitor, Tenebrio obscurus, Zophobas atratus, and Galleria mellonella —all noted for their ability to consume and transform EPS and other types of plastic (Siddiqui et al., 2024; Yang et al., 2024). Similar behaviors have also been observed in other insects such as the black soldier fly, cockroaches, and termites, though more research is needed to confirm their actual effectiveness in plastic degradation.

This approach becomes even more relevant when we consider that, beyond the environmental crisis, the global food system also faces urgent challenges: A growing population and the rising cost of animal feed inputs.

In this context, insect larvae emerge as a potential dual-purpose solution: They could help degrade certain types of plastic while also serving as an alternative protein source for animal feed. One organism — two functions.

Before delving into protein production using plastic-eating larvae, it’s important to understand how this degradation process occurs.

HOW LARVAE BREAK DOWN PLASTIC AND HOW EFFICIENT THIS PROCESS IS
Certain insect larvae are capable of biodegrading plastic thanks to a combination of digestive enzymes, gut microbiota, and a physiological system adapted to fragment polymer chains (Yang et al., 2024). While the process varies by species and plastic type, recent studies have proposed a generalized biodegradation model, primarily observed in T. molitor, T. obscurus, Z. atratus, and G. mellonella:

1. Initial contact: The larva bites into the plastic and its saliva begins to partially oxidize the material using enzymes.

2. Ingestion and fragmentation: The plastic enters the digestive system, where it is physically shredded by the mouthparts and intestinal movement, reducing its size and increasing surface area.

3. Enzymatic and microbial action: Inside the gut, the plastic is exposed to a mix of digestive enzymes, bioemulsifying compounds, and intestinal microbes that work together to break down the polymer chains (depolymerization).

4. Oxidation and mineralization: Some plastic fragments are oxidized and converted into simpler molecules, such as water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂); others are assimilated by the larva or its microbiota.

5. Excretion: The non-degraded material and byproducts of the process are expelled as frass.

Among the bacteria identified as capable of breaking down complex polymers are Enterobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus, while enzymes involved include lipases, esterases, cutinases, and proteases. However, in some cases, certain species appear able to degrade plastics even without microbial assistance, according to studies referenced in Yang et al. (2024). Still, other researchers argue the opposite: One study showed that when gut microbiota was suppressed using antibiotics, T. molitor larvae lost their ability to degrade plastic (Siddiqui et al., 2024).

Studies show that T. molitor can convert up to 48% of EPS carbon into CO₂ in just 16 days, while another 49% is excreted as frass (Zielińska et al., 2021). Additionally, this same species fed with EPS maintained high protein levels (48.6%) without signs of toxicity, suggesting potential use in animal feed, if safety is ensured.

It seems that efficiency improves when plastic is combined with a nutrient-rich diet like wheat bran, and pre-treatment methods such as UV light or plasma may further enhance degradation (Yang et al., 2024; Siddiqui et al., 2024).

Taken together, these advances demonstrate that the process is functional, measurable and has the potential to be scaled up as a dual solution for plastic reduction and alternative protein production, but only if the safe use of these larvae as feed can be guaranteed.

CAN WE FEED FISH WITH PLASTIC-EATING INSECTS?
A recent study explored whether plastic-degrading larvae could be used to feed fish intended for human consumption —contributing to a circular approach in aquaculture (Bonilla-Amaya et al., 2024). The trial tested diets for juvenile red-bellied pacu (Piaractus brachypomus), replacing fishmeal with insect meal made from T. and Z. atratus fed a mixture of 25% PS and 75% wheat bran.

The results were promising. This combination not only promoted greater PS degradation —up to 65% in 64 days for T. molitor and 12% in 32 days for Z. atratus— but also yielded insect meals with high protein content: 51% for T. molitor and 42.6% for Z. atratus, comparable to values reported for conventionally reared insects.

Fish fed with these insect-based meals grew normally, with no differences in development observed. The authors concluded that up to 100% of fishmeal could be replaced by insect meal from larvae reared on PS, without compromising performance or apparent health.

However, they also emphasized the need for further safety evaluations, particularly regarding the potential accumulation of microplastics or toxic residues in the insect biomass.

ENSURING THE SAFETY OF LARVAE FOR FEED
During degradation, plastics break down into increasingly smaller particles, including micro- and nanoplastics, raising concerns about the potential accumulation of toxic compounds in the larvae or their transformation into harmful substances.

In in vitro cellular analyses, extracts from Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio larvae fed with EPS did not show cytotoxic effects (Zielińska et al., 2021). No adverse impact on the intestinal health of the larvae was observed either.

Still, more evidence is needed to confirm that these insects pose no health risks when used in feed. Ensuring safety —for the larvae and for the end consumers— remains a critical priority in the development of this technology.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS IN FERTILIZERS
Beyond feed, the byproducts of plastic-fed larvae are also being evaluated for use in agriculture. Frass produced by these larvae could be used as a biofertilizer. In a recent study, T. molitor larvae fed exclusively with EPS produced less frass than those fed organic or mixed diets (Bastidas Proaño, 2024).

Moreover, the presence of microplastic fragments in the frass could not be ruled out, since chewing alone can generate small particles that may bypass digestion. This highlights the need to assess whether frass contains plastic residues before it can be safely applied to soil.

That said, other studies have found cases in which EPS was fully degraded, and the resulting frass showed no detectable plastic traces when analyzed using detailed chemical methods (Siddiqui et al., 2024).

Further investigation is needed to ensure that frass derived from plastic-fed insects can be safely used as a fertilizer —without compromising soil health or crop safety.

A NEW STUDY QUESTIONS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLASTIC DEGRADATION BY INSECTS
Although many studies have documented the ability of T. molitor to degrade EPS, a recent study (Mohammadizadeh Tahroudi et al., 2025) challenges this view. It found that larvae could not survive or complete their life cycle on EPS alone, with mortality matching or exceeding that of starved controls. The authors argue that T. molitor may lack the enzymes or microbiota needed to degrade EPS under lab conditions.
While not dismissing earlier findings, the study calls for a critical reassessment of insect-based plastic degradation strategies.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR PLASTIC-EATING LARVAE?
Insect larvae capable of degrading plastic represent a disruptive solution, which could simultaneously address two global challenges: Plastic waste and sustainable protein production for feed.

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made, yet several aspects require further evaluation —from feed performance and long-term health effects, to frass quality and microplastic residues. Beyond aquaculture, the potential use of these larvae in feeding other animals such as poultry, pigs, and pets also needs to be carefully assessed to understand nutritional performance, digestibility, and safety risks. The advancement of this insect-based solution must also address external barriers such as regulatory frameworks and consumer acceptance.

References
1. Bastidas Proaño, D. (2024). Entomoremediación: Influencia de una dieta plástica en el desarrollo de Tenebrio molitor para generar biofertilizante. Revista Politécnica, 53(2), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.33333/rp.vol53n2.01
2. Bonilla-Amaya, M. F., Muñoz-Ramírez, A. P., Aguilar-Aguilar, F. A., & Barragán-Fonseca, K. B. (2024). Consumption of expanded polystyrene by Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus, and use of their meal as feed for Piaractus brachypomus. Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal, 32(3), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.53588/alpa.320301
3. Mohammadizadeh Tahroudi, Z., Flematti, G., Joshi, J., Fritz, G., & Atkin, R. (2025). Expanded polystyrene is not chemically degraded by mealworms. RSC Sustainability, 3, 383–394. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4su00618f
4. Siddiqui, S. A., Abdul Manap, A. S., Kolobe, S. D., Mabelebele, M., Yudhistira, B., & Fernando, I. (2024). Insects for plastic biodegradation – A review. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 186, 833–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.04.021
5. Yang, S.-S., Wu, W.-M., Bertocchini, F., Benbow, M. E., Devipriya, S. P., Cha, H. J., Peng, B.-Y., Ding, M.-Q., He, L., Li, M.-X., Cui, C.-H., Shi, S.-N., Sun, H.-J., Pang, J.-W., He, D., Zhang, Y., Yang, J., Hou, D., Xing, D.-F., Ren, N.-Q., Ding, J., & Criddle, C. S. (2024). Radical innovation breakthroughs of biodegradation of plastics by insects: History, present and future perspectives. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 18(6), Article 78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1838-x
6. Zielińska, E., Zieliński, D., Jakubczyk, A., Karaś, M., Pankiewicz, U., Flasz, B., Dziewięcka, M., & Lewicki, S. (2021). The impact of polystyrene consumption by edible insects Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio on their nutritional value, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress parameters. Food Chemistry, 345, 128846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128846

About Rodrigo Llauradó Casares
Rodrigo Llauradó Casares is a communicator and content creator with over 10 years of experience researching the use of insects for food, feed, and non-feed applications. With a background in Social Sciences and Marketing, he has founded startups, written scientific articles, created courses, and participated as a seminar speaker. He currently supports companies across the insect protein value chain through content and strategies that communicate science-based innovation and industry impact.

Insects could transform plastic waste into protein yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

At the heart of the EU’s pursuit of agri-food resilience is protein autonomy – the goal to produce a greater share of Europe’s protein needs domestically, and in ways that are circular and sustainable. Insects, such as black soldier flies, mealworms, and crickets, offer an insect-enriched protein source that complements existing options without competing with them.

At a time when Europe is striving to reduce its reliance on external resources and transition to a more resilient, circular economy, the insect industry can play a pivotal role in supporting such efforts.

As a sector that has attracted over €1.5 billion in investments and established over 150 production facilities, the European insect industry will not only strengthen the EU’s food security, but is already emerging as a cornerstone of its industrial and climate ambitions. Central to this evolution is the sector’s ability to produce sustainable, insect-enriched proteins locally – for both food and feed – reducing dependence on overseas imports, (e.g. soybean meal) and fisheries resources (e.g. pelagic species used for fishmeal production), and creating thousands of jobs across the continent.

While Europe has made important strides towards reducing its environmental footprint, food and feed production remain among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The EU Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy both acknowledge the urgent need for transformative solutions that align sustainability with competitiveness. Insect farming delivers exactly that.

PROTEIN AUTONOMY: FROM POLICY CONCEPT TO INDUSTRIAL REALITY
At the heart of the EU’s pursuit of agri-food resilience is protein autonomy – the goal to produce a greater share of Europe’s protein needs domestically, and in ways that are circular and sustainable. Insects, such as black soldier flies, mealworms, and crickets, offer an insect-enriched protein source that complements existing options without competing with them.

These insect-derived ingredients are rich in essential nutrients and are already being incorporated into both human food and animal feed. For feed, they are especially well-suited for aquaculture, poultry, and pig farming. For food, they offer protein-rich alternatives in specialised markets including sports nutrition and dietary supplements.

Local production of these ingredients directly contributes to reducing the EU’s dependency on imported protein sources, or fisheries resources that may be associated with deforestation, biodiversity loss, and long global supply chains. By contrast, insect farming in Europe supports regional protein cycles, making the continent less vulnerable to external disruptions and volatility in supply and prices associated with imported protein sources.

CIRCULARITY IN ACTION: FROM FOOD WASTE TO FEED AND FERTILISER
Insects thrive on underused biomass, including food losses and by-products from agri-food industries. This makes them ideal agents of circularity: They convert food losses into high-value protein, fats and organic fertilisers, such as insect frass.

The benefits are twofold. First, insects help close nutrient loops by reducing food losses and returning valuable nutrients to the food chain. Second, their by-products, such as processed frass, offer a local, sustainable alternative to synthetic or imported fertilisers – particularly important for farmers navigating rising costs and supply uncertainty.

By embracing these closed-loop systems, the European insect sector is enabling a true circular agricultural economy, fully aligned with the EU’s sustainability goals.

EMPOWERING EUROPEAN WORKERS AND REGIONS
Beyond its environmental benefits, the sector has a strong socio-economic footprint. To date, over 3,500 jobs have been created, including more than 1,000 direct roles in production, research, and development. The diversity of farm types – from highly integrated full-liner operations to decentralised models co-located with agri-industrial facilities – ensures that job creation is spread across rural and peri-urban regions, supporting regional economies and revitalising industrial zones.

IPIFF forecasts that the sector could deliver up to 30,000 jobs by 2030, provided that the right policy and regularity conditions are in place. These jobs span engineering, biochemistry, food technology, logistics, and farming, contributing not only to sustainability but also to industrial rejuvenation and European innovation leadership.

THE BARRIER OF INACTION: REGULATORY BOTTLENECKS
Despite this momentum, the full potential of the insect sector remains hampered by regulatory delays and limitations. Current EU legislation restricts the range of substrates that can be used to feed insects – excluding, for instance, food losses containing meat or fish. This limits the sector’s ability to maximise bioconversion and reduce waste at scale.

Furthermore, the market access for insect frass, a valuable organic fertiliser, is still not fully unlocked under EU fertiliser legislation. Its recognition under regulatory frameworks – as well as clearer pathways for its use in biogas production – are essential for enhancing both sustainability and economic viability.

A future-proof regulatory environment is urgently needed – one that enables the safe and responsible upcycling of food losses while maintaining high EU food and feed safety standards. Without such reforms, the industry risks being unable to meet growing demand or compete with less sustainable protein sources on the global market, while many companies would be offshoring their production outside Europe.

A STRATEGIC SECTOR FOR THE GREEN TRANSITION
Insects are not merely an alternative protein – they are a strategic asset in Europe’s broader effort to reindustrialise along sustainable lines. They are helping Europe reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pressure on land and water resources, and decrease its exposure to volatile international markets.

Yet, this sector remains in a critical scale-up phase. Like other capital-intensive, innovation-driven industries, insect producers face difficulty accessing finance, particularly in the absence of long-term regulatory visibility. Several recent EU reports and policy initiatives have repeatedly identified this scale-up gap as a key barrier to innovation in Europe – a gap that can only be bridged by public-private investment models, policy incentives, and strong political recognition of the sector’s role.

A MOMENT FOR BOLD ACTION
Europe has a unique opportunity to become the global leader in sustainable protein through insect-enriched production. The groundwork has been laid: Robust food safety rules, established companies, proven technologies, and clear alignment with the EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and broader protein diversification goals.

Now, political will must match this progress. Integrating the sector into strategic EU frameworks – including the Common Agricultural Policy, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the EU Protein Diversification Strategy – will ensure that truly circular and sustainable industries like insect farming are actively supported and positioned as key solutions to the interconnected challenges we face today.

To unlock the full potential of these new protein sources, it is also essential to promote their use and consumption by creating demand-oriented incentives. This includes leveraging binding tools such as public procurement requirements, as outlined under the ‘Promoting Demand’ pillar of our Policy Roadmap 2024-2029, available on IPIFF’s website.

The European insect industry is not asking for shortcuts. It is calling for a level-playing field, science-based regulation, and strategic investment to help deliver on its full potential – empowering Europe’s food and feed security with local jobs, circular practices, and global climate leadership.

About Christophe Derrien
Christophe Derrien is amongst Brussels’ public affairs veterans. With over 15 years’ experience in agrifood, he leads the IPIFF Secretariat. Derrien played a leading role in the establishment of IPIFF as an EU umbrella organisation back in 2015. He is in charge of coordinating the outreach activities of the organisation, regulatory developments (e.g. animal feed, frass, new substrates), as well as the general management of the Secretariat and membership. Furthermore, Christophe Derrien coordinates the activities of several internal working fora (e.g. IPIFF Working Group on ‘Feed Hygiene & Animal Nutrition’ and IPIFF Knowledge Platform on ‘‘new feeding substrates’). He speaks French, English, Spanish and some Dutch.

European Insect Industry: Driving protein autonomy and job creation yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

Recent studies and independent trials have shown that Black Soldier Fly (BSF) meal can be effectively included in aquafeeds at levels of 5% to 10% with positive results in growth performance, feed conversion ratios, and most importantly improved survival rates. In many cases, it has led to improvements in overall well-being of species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In short, healthier animals are also a benefit for the producers who can have higher yields due to less loss.

The aquaculture industry faces growing global demand for seafood, but their current ingredients make it hard to continue on this path while staying sustainable. One piece of the puzzle could and should be insect protein. Hermetia illucens also known as the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is more than just a new ingredient on the shelf; it is a functional ingredient that enables a circular approach by upcycling agro-industrial waste.

COMPARING PROTEIN SOURCES: THE NEED FOR A BALANCED APPROACH
In aquafeed formulation, ingredients like soybean meal and fishmeal are often compared based on their protein content and cost. Fishmeal, derived from marine sources, is rich in essential amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, making it highly digestible and palatable for many aquatic species. On the other hand, soybean meal, a plant-based protein, is more affordable and abundant but comes with anti-nutritional factors and a less optimal amino acid profile for carnivorous species like salmon.

Both ingredients serve different purposes; fishmeal is used for its quality and digestibility, whereas soybean is primarily a cost-effective filler that requires balancing with other ingredients.

The same should apply to BSF meal: evaluating it solely on its protein percentage misses the value it can bring to the formulation. While contributing a high-quality protein, it will also include bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial peptides, lauric acid and chitin, all of which can promote gut health and immune response.

Rather than traditionally comparing BSF meal as a one-to-one replacement for either fishmeal or soybean meal, feed formulators should consider it as part of a balanced diet. The end diet can have functional benefits, sustainable impact, be palatable and accepted by regulatory standards. The future of aquafeed will not depend on replacing one ingredient with another, but integrating different ingredients that can function together.

PROVEN RESULTS IN AQUAFEED INCLUSION
Recent studies and independent trials have shown that BSF meal can be effectively included in aquafeeds at levels of 5% to 10% with positive results in growth performance, feed conversion ratios, and most importantly improved survival rates. In many cases, it has led to improvements in overall well-being of species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In short, healthier animals are also a benefit for the producers who can have higher yields due to less loss.

In addition, black soldier fly meal’s digestibility and palatability have also made it a promising ingredient in early life stage feeds, where nutrition is critical to long-term performance.

CONSUMER PERCEPTION OF INSECT FED FISH
A growing number of consumers are not only accepting of insect-fed fish and shrimp but are actively preferring them. Studies such as the 2020 paper by Lombardi et al. in the journal Foods and the 2021 report from the European Commission-funded SUSINCHAIN project indicate that consumers, particularly those concerned with sustainability, are more inclined to purchase seafood fed with insect-based proteins.

An independent trial by Aller Aqua found that 67% of participants in consumer sensory tests preferred the taste of salmon fed with insect-based formulation.

These studies suggest that species fed with insect meal grow better and can even taste better. Another reason to find a balance between ingredients and start formulating aquafeeds slightly differently and incorporating BSF meal.

LEARNING FROM THE INDUSTRY’S MISSTEPS
Despite the strong technical and environmental case for BSF meal, one major pain point the BSF industry faces is the lack of produce to reach the demand for the aquaculture market. Aquafeed producers require stable quality and quantity which the insect industry has yet failed to deliver.

Some early pioneers have collapsed under the weight of high CapEx, overpromising, and underdelivering. These failures have been magnified in the public eye, casting doubt on the viability of BSF. These companies invested heavily in R&D, and it is important to thank them for developing and testing technologies to grow the insect industry as a whole.

However, it is also important to note this industry is still in its early stages, and failures—though inevitable—can be a blessing in disguise. They provide valuable lessons and should be used as teachable moments. At Flylab, we believe in learning from these experiences to build more efficient, and scalable solutions.

Our BSF protein meal consistently contains a minimum of 60% protein, a benchmark that allows us to compete effectively in aquafeed formulations while maintaining a competitive price of around $2,000 per ton.

This pricing strategy, coupled with a quality-focused approach, has enabled us to provide real value to feed manufacturers. It is now imperative that BSF producing companies fit the aquaculture specifications to create a solution that can please all parties.

The insect industry has now matured enough to be a viable and competitive solution.

REGULATORY PROGRESS, BSF’S FULL POTENTIAL
Traditionally, many countries restricted BSF rearing to substrates to feed-grade materials, limiting the insect’s full potential as a waste upcycler. This limitation not only increased production costs, but also limited one of BSF’s most important sustainability advantages: Its ability to eat organic waste, diverting it from landfill and transforming it into high-value protein.

Scientific research has consistently demonstrated that BSF larvae can safely consume a wide range of organic waste substrates without posing risks to animal or human health. Multiple risk assessments, including studies by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), have confirmed that, when managed under controlled conditions, BSF production using non-feed-grade waste does not lead to bioaccumulation of heavy metals, pathogens, or contaminants in the final insect meal.

The regulatory changes will unlock access to low-cost, abundant organic waste such as post-consumer waste, allowing to further lower the price of BSF products and help staying true to the environmental mission that drives our industry forward.

MOVING FORWARD, FROM ALTERNATIVE TO ESSENTIAL
As feed ingredient markets continue to evolve under the pressure of climate change, supply chain disruptions, and consumer expectations, BSF meal is moving from being seen as an “alternative” to a standard, yet more functional, ingredient in aquafeed formulations.

Insect producing companies have now mostly standardized their offerings, and it is possible to find a whole panel of different BSF protein meals, some with more fat, some with more bioactive compounds, some with higher concentration of protein. Each company produces slightly different products that enable a fit to different species with different needs. Global feed companies are now also developing diets and supplements tailored for BSF larvae. While this will take time and research, insect meal will be a major ingredient in aquafeed in the coming years.

It is crucial that aquafeed companies continue their efforts and work closely with insect producers to find the right fit.

In summary, with regulatory support, scientific validation, and increasing consumer demand, BSF is no longer a niche option; it is a necessity. BSF is not here to replace fishmeal or soy. It is here to redefine what a protein source can be. At Flylab and across the emerging BSF sector, we are building a new vision for feed, one that is circular, sustainable, and aligned with the expectations of today’s consumers.

About Aubin Bernard
With more than 6 years of insect rearing experience in laboratories and industrial set-ups, Aubin is passionate about insects and nature conservation. Having kept over 200 total different species, Aubin Bernard now focuses solely on Black Soldier Flies.
Currently based in Bangkok, Aubin is a French self-taught entomologist who chose hands-on experience over academia.

BSF Meal in Aquafeed: Why now is the time to move forward yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

In a move to increase efficiency, Barentz Animal Nutrition has added a new dryer to its facility in Rosemount, Minnesota, USA.

Barentz Animal Nutrition, a manufacturer of animal feed and proprietary products such as MegAnion^® and K-Carb Plus^®, has announced the continued investment into its technology, equipment, and people with the addition of a new dryer to increase efficiency. This investment is expected to allow Barentz Animal Nutrition to deliver more product and value to its customers.

“The investments we have made in our Rosemount, Minnesota, USA, facility help us become a more efficient operation, providing more capacity for our growing customer base and creating a better work environment for our employees,” said John DeVos, Barentz North America Animal Nutrition President.

Established in 1953, Barentz has operations in more than 70 countries with a strong presence in Europe and North America, and a rapidly growing network in Latin America and Asia-Pacific. The Company sources branded specialty ingredients from leading manufacturers worldwide and its ingredient experts provide value-added technical support which includes pre-mixing, blending, ingredient formulation and ingredient testing from its customized formulation centers and application laboratories.

Barentz increases capacity with new investment yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

The animal feed and pet food industries rely heavily on fats and oils to provide proper nutrition and aid functionality. However, access to raw materials is becoming increasingly challenging. Insect oil is a viable alternative. By starting trials, feed manufacturers can reap immediate benefits, such as a lower footprint, while paving the way for more health advantages.

SCARCITY OF RAW MATERIALS
Animal feed and pet food manufacturers face a number of challenges. Scarcity of raw materials, triggered by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and high demand for specific oils and fats in the pet industry, means spiralling costs.

The new regulation on deforestation-free products introduced in December 2024 affects many livestock manufacturers selling within or exporting from the EU as it requires them to show that their forest-based products such as soy and palm kernel oil are legal, not sourced from deforested land, and do not contribute to degradation, including changes that harm biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Pet food manufacturers have to deal with fierce competition for specific oils and fats due to increasing demand from other sectors. Moreover, the pet food industry is witnessing a marked increase in ‘humanisation’. In practise, that means pet owners expect the same high quality for their pets as they demand for themselves, leading to increased demand for environmentally-friendly ingredients.

Ensuring the year-round availability of sufficient supplies at a viable price is a prime concern both in the livestock and pet sectors.

NOVEL OILS CREATING A BUZZ
As well as matching the functionality of conventional sources such as soy, coconut, palm kernel oil, and poultry fats, there are other important considerations when seeking novel sources of fat. Palatability and digestibility are of crucial importance. Health or performance benefits, consistent quality, and ease of ingredients handling are also high on the agenda. And the environmental footprint of ingredients is becoming increasingly important.

To meet all these requirements, manufacturers are looking beyond traditional sources and opening their minds to other interesting concepts. And one source of ingredients causing a real buzz in the animal feed and pet food industries is insects. Specifically, fat derived from the larvae of the black soldier fly, or Hermetia illucens to give it its Latin name.

THREE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF INSECT OIL
Insect ingredients, particularly black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) ingredients, have been gaining increasing traction, and the benefits are irrefutable.

Firstly, insects are rich in nutrients and natural sources of nutrition for many animals. Images of dogs and cats snapping the air for passing critters may be amusing, but these canny canines and frolicking felines are simply following their innate instincts. We see it in poultry and pigs too, that seem at their happiest when doing what comes naturally by foraging for insects.

Secondly, black soldier fly ingredients can be produced with a very low environmental footprint. This is because the black soldier fly is farmed vertically which minimises land and water use. Moreover, its production has lower CO₂ emissions than traditional ingredient production. The environmental benefits of insect ingredients are well documented.

Finally, and perhaps the most compelling reason to opt for black soldier fly ingredients, is that this miniscule creature comes with a mighty appetite. The larvae quickly devour by-products from the food and agricultural industry. This means they are capable of solving our waste problem at the same time.

INTRODUCING LipidX: A TURNKEY SOLUTION
Protix identified the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a superior source of fat many years ago. By combining nature with high-tech, the company is able to create a nutritious insect oil that is naturally good for animals and good for the planet.

LipidX is a purified, high-quality fat from Protix, with a fatty acid profile similar to coconut oil. It is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which make it the perfect source of easily digestible energy for animals.

In particular, LipidX typically contains 39% lauric acid. Lauric acid is valued for its antimicrobial properties in the digestive tract, which contribute to a healthier immune system and support overall animal health maintenance.

Though similar in general fatty acid profile to coconut oil, LipidX has a different triglyceride profile, notably containing nearly twice as much trilaurin as coconut oil.

THE IMMEDIATE ADVANTAGE: A LOW FOOTPRINT
Protix is able to produce LipidX with a very low environmental footprint. To underpin its green credentials, independent assessment by the highly regarded DIL German Institute of Food Technology shows that LipidX insect fat uses 99% less land than poultry fat. Compared to coconut oil, it uses 86% less water and produces 88% fewer CO₂ emissions. High-quality insect oil from Protix means manufacturers can comply with legislation and satisfy market preferences with ease.

COMPARABLE OR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
Compatibility studies show that replacing traditional ingredients with LipidX yield comparable or improved results in terms of performance. For example, in a study conducted by Wageningen Livestock Research in collaboration with poultry processor Esbro and feed producer ForFarmers, 2,5% LipidX delivered higher daily body weight gain compared to a control diet with an equivalent amount of lauric acid from PKAFD (palm kernel fatty acid distillate). A large-scale follow-up study investigated 1% soybean oil in broiler feed replaced by LipidX. The results show similar growth performance, litter quality, welfare, slaughter yields and slaughter quality under practical field conditions. Thus, compared with the control diet, the inclusion of LipidX can be used to address the pressing challenge of raw materials supply without impacting on broiler health and welfare.

FUNCTIONAL BENEFITS
In addition, research shows that LipidX potentially offers health and performance benefits. Emerging studies show that LipidX can offer particular benefits in various growth phases of poultry, pig, and cow. Furthermore, a general positive effect that is repeated by many studies with different animal types is improvement of the gut health status, an important factor in rearing efficient and resilient livestock. Moreover, the level of medium-chain fatty acids in LipidX can represent a promising option to support the brain energy and cognition of senior animals, for example in dogs.

Broilers
A study conducted by a Dutch feed company showed that Protix’s LipidX is a great alternative to the soybean and palm oil kernel commonly used. A diet with 100% insect oil resulted in an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), better growth and reduced mortality compared with a control diet based on plant and vegetable oils (Figure 1).

Piglets
In a study with piglets conducted by a large Dutch animal feed company, Protix’s insect oil was shown to boost immunity and improve feed intake during the critical weaning period. The high lauric acid content allows piglets’ delicate intestinal villi and digestive system to develop naturally, producing a stronger immune system, reduced antibiotic reliance and lower mortality rates.

Cow feeds
LipidX as an ingredient in Calf Milk Replacer (CMR) reduced the risk of diarrhoea in the first three weeks of life. This might be attributed to the positive effects of lauric acid and the form in which it is present in LipidX, or to improvements in fat digestibility.

LipidX demonstrated its ability to improve intestinal health during this critical period of life while maintaining growth performance. Feed efficiency, wither height growth, and other parameters of growth performance were maintained at levels comparable to those achieved with a high-performing commercial control CMR.

STUDIES NEEDED TO UNLOCK ADDITIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Protix is committed to further unlocking the health and performance benefits of insect-based ingredients for animal feed and pet food to shape a natural and low-impact future. The company continues to amass a body of scientific evidence, in close collaboration with manufacturers, research institutions and other stakeholders. Protix invites animal feed and pet food manufacturers and their customers to reach out and start trials. Manufacturers and their customers can benefit immediately from a lower environmental footprint while the trials continue to reveal additional health advantages for animals.

TRIALLING WITH LipidX
Protix understands the importance of reliable and consistent outcomes for manufacturers in the animal feed and pet food industries. That’s why LipidX meets the highest standards of Good Manufacturing Practice Plus (GMP+), SecureFeed, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and fully complies with European feed legislation.

However, Protix’s commitment to quality goes beyond meeting these regulatory requirements. LipidX sets itself apart by superior product quality and as a functionally excellent insect oil. This is the result of careful choices in its production process.

First of all, Protix has deliberately chosen to integrate farming and ingredient production within a single facility, giving the company complete control over the entire production chain. This allows Protix to maintain rigorous quality standards at every stage, resulting in consistently high-quality ingredients that manufacturers can rely on year-round.

Furthermore, Protix stands out with its cutting-edge wet processing technology, which extracts fat from larvae in just 60 minutes. Unlike conventional dry processing, Protix’s method separates fats and proteins before drying. This crucial difference can elevate LipidX to unique heights of quality and functional value. Due to lower processing temperatures and shorter heating times, Protix can offer a higher quality fat. Its wet method maintains the beneficial properties of insect fat, ensuring optimal performance in various applications.

EVERYTHING TO GAIN
As concerns about raw materials intensify, coupled with concerns for the future of our planet, the search for more sustainable oils and fats becomes ever more urgent. Insects are a turnkey solution garnering great interest. They guarantee a lower environmental footprint, while matching the performance of conventional diets. As the body of evidence in favour of the black soldier fly grows, potential health benefits are also becoming more evident. For forward-thinking manufacturers, it’s a no-brainer: switching to insect ingredients and starting trials now can only bring benefits.

About Piotr Postepski
Piotr Postepski has been the Chief Commercial Officer at Protix since August 2024, bringing nearly two decades of international experience in the pharmaceutical sector. Trained as a veterinarian with a master’s degree from the Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland, he further enhanced his business management and leadership skills at the Warsaw School of Economics and London Business School. Before joining Protix, Postepski served as Global Commercial and Corporate Development Director and played a key role in scaling a global, publicly listed, innovative animal health business. At Protix, Piotr Postepski is responsible for driving international expansion and leading the sales, marketing, business development, and product development teams.

The Insect Oil Advantage: Healthy animals, plus a greener future yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

Zoomark, the pet food and pet care trade show taking place from 5-7 May 2025, will launch Next 5.0, its new area where the focus is on innovative, tech-oriented companies and start-ups.

The b2b pet food and pet care show, Zoomark is gearing up for the launch of Next 5.0, the space that puts the spotlight on pet-tech, where technology and innovation come together in the service of pet well-being. The event will be hosted in BolognaFiere from 5th to 7th May 2025.

Pascale Sonvico, Show Office and Sales Manager of Zoomark, explains: “At Next 5.0, we want to offer a showcase to those who are shaping the future of pet care through technology and innovation. This area represents a key hub for start-ups that want to contribute to growing the market, offering increasingly cutting-edge solutions for animal well-being.”

NEXT 5.0: A HUB FOR START-UPS, HIGH-TECH AND INNOVATION
The area, located in Hall 16, will reportedly offer a comprehensive overview of the latest innovations in the industry and will foreground new start-ups (in business for a maximum of 5 years, with a turnover of up to 5 million euros) from all over the world, from Seed to Scale-Up phase, giving them the opportunity to present their ideas to potential investors and international pet market players.

Alongside the start-ups in the Next 5.0 area, the same hall will play host to more established pet tech companies, which are driving growth and innovation in the pet industry, and offer advanced, diversified solutions in sectors such as food, grooming, care, monitoring and control, IoT, toys and more.

This unique combination of emerging and established brands is expected to bring together the most innovative ideas and advanced technologies, making for networking opportunities and strategic partnerships with incubators and accelerators.

The Next 5.0 area will therefore attract a qualified audience of investors, distribution chains and online marketplaces interested in discovering the latest in high-tech and building new partnerships. Next 5.0 will not only be an exhibition space, but a hub for networking and education on innovation and business in the pet industry. During the three days of Zoomark 2025, this area will host a series of exclusive events created for exhibitors, investors and industry professionals, including:

• A Masterclass by Annamaria Tartaglia
  On Tuesday 6th May, Annamaria Tartaglia – CEO of The Brand Sitter and Executive Director of Angels4Women – will lead an exclusive masterclass on how pet startups can strategically position themselves in the European market, attract investments and develop partnerships with big companies in the sector. A unique opportunity to access high-level insights on innovation, marketing and business development.

• The award for the most innovative start-up
  A panel of industry experts will select the startup that stands out the most for technological innovation, market impact and scalability. The award represents a launch pad for emerging companies that aspire to redefine the future of the pet industry.

THE AWARD FOR THE MOST INNOVATIVE START-UP
A panel of industry experts will select the startup that stands out the most for technological innovation, market impact and scalability. The award represents a launch pad for emerging companies that aspire to redefine the future of the pet industry.

NEXT 5.0 thus represents a key point of reference for startups that want to accelerate their growth, connect with strategic stakeholders and access valuable content to compete in an increasingly dynamic global market, according to the announcement.

THE FUTURE OF PET TECH
With the launch of this new area, Zoomark 2025 aims to consolidate its preeminent role for the international pet industry as a meeting place for those who see technology as a fundamental element for animal well-being.

Zoomark 2025 to launch special area where technology meets innovation yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

During the Edison Awards™, held from April 2-3 in USA, Cargill’s REVEAL™ Layers won a bronze award in the Smart Farming & Sustainability category. Cargill points out that REVEAL™ Layers, described as a first-of-its-kind, non-invasive near-infrared technology, is a cost-effective solution to monitor poultry body condition.

Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) has announced that REVEAL™ Layers, its groundbreaking, non-invasive technology for monitoring hen body condition, has won a bronze award at the prestigious 2025 Edison Awards™ in the category of Smart Farming & Sustainability. The Edison Awards™, held from April 2-3 in Florida, USA, honor excellence in innovation, recognizing groundbreaking technologies that drive progress in industries worldwide. Cargill points to the accomplishment as a testament to its commitment to innovation and excellence in poultry production.

Through its best-in-class scientists and technical team members, Cargill ANH aims to solve customer challenges, improve their production outcomes globally, and innovate on what matters most to them.

HOW CAN REVEAL™ LAYERS SUPPORT PRODUCTION OUTCOMES?
Cargill explains REVEAL™ Layers as a first-of-its-kind, non-invasive near-infrared (NIR) technology that monitors poultry body condition. This innovation supports poultry producers by helping to:
• Make real-time decisions: REVEAL™ Layers provides real-time data on body condition, enabling precise adjustments to diet condition based on flock insights. This can help improve performance and increase profitability.
• Support long-term egg production: Optimal body condition supports sustained egg production over the long term, ensuring that hens remain productive while maintaining immunity.
• Improve profitability: By combining REVEAL™ Layers with Cargill’s nutritional expertise, producers can significantly reduce feed costs while maintaining high productivity.
• Proven ROI: REVEAL™ Layers enables producers to achieve significant increases in eggs per hen, extend the laying period by up to 10 weeks, and realize a 15:1 ROI through precise dietary adjustments and non-invasive monitoring.

WHY IS BODY CONDITION IMPORTANT?
Maintaining optimal body condition is the foundation of long-term flock performance. Proper body condition supports:
• Overall Hen Welfare: Supporting resilient birds.
• Liver Health: Helping maintain normal metabolism.
• Efficient Nutrient Metabolism: Supporting hens to convert feed into eggs effectively.

KNOW YOUR FLOCK
The company emphasizes REVEAL™ Layers as offering a simple, cost-effective solution to monitor fattening status, helping improve egg laying performance, and supporting animal welfare.

More information about REVEAL™ Layers and how it can benefit poultry operations can be found on Cargill’s website.

Cargill honored with Edison Award for its layer innovation yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

The poultry industry faces increasing pressure to enhance sustainability, improve animal welfare standards, and maintain production efficiency. Black Soldier Fly Larvae offer a multifaceted solution addressing these interconnected challenges. Their adoption is accelerating across diverse production systems—including broiler, layer, organic, and free-range—supported by accumulating scientific evidence and growing commercial availability.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) offer a sustainable feed solution that supports poultry gut health, strengthens immunity, and promotes natural behaviours. Rich in functional nutrients like lauric acid, they enhance flock resilience while reducing environmental impact. Now adopted globally, BSFL signal a smarter, welfare-focused approach to poultry nutrition.

INSECT PROTEIN IS NO LONGER NICHE
A significant development is under way in poultry nutrition. Around the world, feeds derived from BSFL are being adopted by smallholders and commercial producers alike. The reasons are clear: BSFL offer a powerful combination of nutritional value, functional health benefits, and environmental sustainability.

From Europe to Africa and Southeast Asia, BSFL are becoming an increasingly viable alternative to conventional protein sources like soy and fishmeal. They provide producers with greater feed autonomy, improved animal welfare outcomes, and a reduced environmental footprint. As regulatory frameworks evolve and supply chains expand, BSFL are shifting from niche ingredient to mainstream nutritional solution.

BUILT FOR BIRD HEALTH: WHAT MAKES BSFL UNIQUE
Black Soldier Fly Larvae are naturally suited to poultry nutrition, offering a dense and digestible protein source with functional properties that go far beyond basic growth support.

Their protein content typically ranges from 40 to 50 per cent, boasting a robust amino acid profile that includes lysine and methionine—essential building blocks for muscle development, feather quality, and egg production. Lysine supports muscle protein synthesis, while methionine plays a vital role in feather formation and metabolic processes. Compared to conventional protein sources, BSFL generally offer a favourable lysine profile and competitive methionine levels, although precise diet formulation considering inclusion rates and bird requirements remains essential.

Furthermore, the protein in BSFL meal is highly digestible, allowing for efficient nutrient absorption which supports optimal growth and productivity.

In addition to protein, BSFL contain up to 35 per cent fat. A key characteristic is the high concentration of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), particularly lauric acid, along with capric and caprylic acid. Lauric acid exhibits antimicrobial properties by disrupting the lipid membranes of certain gut pathogens and enveloped viruses, thereby helping to suppress their populations and support gut integrity. Feeding BSFL may also influence the fatty acid profile of the resulting meat and eggs, potentially increasing MCFA content, an area of ongoing research.

The larvae are also naturally rich in calcium and phosphorus—essential for skeletal development and eggshell strength—with a typically high Ca:P ratio that can be beneficial for layers, provided the overall diet is appropriately balanced. Importantly, these minerals demonstrate good bioavailability, enhancing uptake and utilisation by the bird.

Essential trace minerals such as zinc, manganese, iron, and copper are also present and play key roles in supporting immunity, metabolism, and various enzyme functions.

Chitin, found in the larvae’s exoskeleton, acts as a prebiotic fibre. It can support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Research indicates that chitin and its derivative chitosan may also stimulate the bird’s innate immune system by interacting with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), potentially enhancing resistance to infections and contributing to gut homeostasis.²

GUT HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, AND REDUCING ANTIBIOTIC NEED
A balanced gut microbiome (eubiosis) is crucial for optimal bird performance. BSFL contribute to establishing and maintaining eubiosis through the combined action of their antimicrobial lipids and prebiotic fibres, which can help modulate the gut microbiota composition and support digestive function.

Studies have observed positive effects on intestinal morphology in BSFL-fed birds, including increased villus height, indicative of enhanced nutrient absorptive surface area. In disease challenge models, birds receiving BSFL may exhibit reduced gut lesion scores and demonstrate improved recovery from intestinal stress.³ These improvements in gut health and nutrient utilisation can directly translate to better feed conversion ratios (FCR), allowing birds to achieve target weights or production levels with lower feed consumption. This yields benefits for both economic efficiency and resource sustainability.

Importantly, the gut health and immune-modulating properties attributed to BSFL may contribute to a reduced reliance on routine antibiotic use. In line with global efforts towards antimicrobial stewardship, BSFL offer a nutritional strategy to support flock health management.

WELFARE STARTS WITH BEHAVIOUR
Supporting poultry welfare involves enabling natural behaviours, not solely preventing disease. Providing live BSFL can play a meaningful role in behavioural enrichment by stimulating instinctive foraging actions such as pecking, scratching, and exploring.

This type of engagement helps reduce stress and discourages the development of abnormal behaviours like injurious feather pecking or cannibalism in enriched environments, which can arise from lack of stimulation or frustration in certain housing environments. Birds offered live larvae often appear calmer, are more active, and may show improved feather coverage—indicators commonly associated with better welfare. The increased physical activity encouraged by foraging might also contribute positively to leg strength and potentially reduce the incidence of locomotion issues, particularly in broilers.

Live larvae provide sustained periods of engagement compared to static enrichment objects. Even when incorporated in dried or meal form, BSFL generally exhibit high palatability, encouraging feed intake. This characteristic can be particularly valuable during periods of stress, such as heat stress or post-vaccination recovery, when appetite suppression may occur.

BSFL AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
BSFL contribute significantly to sustainability through their capacity to convert organic side-streams into high-value outputs. They can be effectively reared on a diverse range of substrates, including pre-consumer food processing residues, brewers’ spent grains, certain agricultural by-products, and other regionally approved materials according to feed safety regulations.

This bioconversion process yields not only protein-rich biomass and energy-dense oils but also frass—the larval excrement mixed with substrate residue. Frass is recognised as a valuable co-product, functioning as a natural biofertiliser rich in organic matter and plant nutrients (N, P, K). Its application can enhance soil health, stimulate microbial activity, and support crop productivity, thereby effectively contributing to circular resource flows within agri-food systems.

Compared to conventional soybean cultivation or wild fish harvesting for fishmeal, BSFL production generally requires significantly less land and water resources and helps alleviate pressure on marine ecosystems. Consequently, insect protein is increasingly considered a key component of sustainable agriculture.

PROCESSING, PRODUCT FORMATS, AND REGULATION
BSFL can be utilised in several formats within poultry diets: live larvae primarily for enrichment; whole dried larvae; or more commonly in large-scale feed production, as defatted meal providing concentrated protein, and extracted oil supplying energy and functional lipids. Processing methods, including drying techniques (e.g., oven, microwave) and defatting procedures, can influence the final nutritional profile and storage stability.

Globally, regulatory bodies are progressively establishing frameworks to support the safe and effective use of insect protein in animal feed. Notable approvals, such as those by the EU and UK for use in poultry feed, and GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status for specific BSFL ingredients in the US, are facilitating wider market adoption. This regulatory progress helps build industry confidence.⁴

Consumer acceptance studies generally indicate openness towards meat and egg products derived from animals fed insect-based diets, particularly when information regarding the associated sustainability and welfare benefits is provided.

While the scaling of industrial BSFL production continues, production costs are becoming increasingly competitive as technology matures and supply chains expand. Potential economic advantages for poultry producers include improved FCR, potentially reduced costs associated with health interventions, and the ability to market products with enhanced sustainability credentials.

FEEDFLOW: INTEGRATING NUTRITION WITH PRECISION WELFARE TOOLS
In the UK, the FeedFlow project, led by Flybox^®, represents an initiative exploring how insect-based nutrition can be integrated with advanced technologies to simultaneously improve bird welfare, performance, and sustainability metrics in poultry production.

Supported by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and delivered by Innovate UK, the project brings together a consortium of partners including universities (Chester, Nottingham Trent), commercial farms (Courteenhall, Menchine), construction specialists (Clarke Group), and AI technology providers (FLOX).

The project centres on the integration of fortified BSFL into poultry diets as a rapid-response nutritional tool, supporting gut health, immune function, and behavioural enrichment. This is combined with FLOX360, an AI-powered computer vision platform that continuously monitors flock behaviour—tracking distribution, activity levels, and early signs of welfare concerns such as huddling, aggression, or reduced mobility.

This data stream enables precision farming approaches, allowing producers to make timely, targeted adjustments to environmental conditions (e.g., ventilation, lighting) or management practices, and facilitates early detection of potential health issues. This supports a shift from reactive to proactive flock management.

The FeedFlow project also incorporates a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by the University of Chester, ensuring that innovations in health and welfare are validated by quantifiable reductions in environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.

INSECT PROTEIN AT THE CENTRE OF FUTURE SYSTEMS
The poultry industry faces increasing pressure to enhance sustainability, improve animal welfare standards, and maintain production efficiency. BSFL offer a multifaceted solution addressing these interconnected challenges. Their adoption is accelerating across diverse production systems—including broiler, layer, organic, and free-range—supported by accumulating scientific evidence and growing commercial availability.

Whether through improved nutrient utilisation, contributing to reduced reliance on antibiotics, facilitating the expression of natural behaviours, or enabling participation in a circular economy, BSFL are helping to reshape the standards for responsible and sustainable poultry nutrition.

With scalable production technologies advancing, regulatory acceptance widening, and market recognition growing, insect protein derived from BSFL is transitioning from an alternative ingredient to a strategic component for future-ready poultry production systems.

References
¹El-Hack, M. E. A., Shafi, M. E., Alghamdi, W. Y., Abdelnour, S. A., Shehata, A. M., Noreldin, A. E., Ashour, E. A., Swelum, A. A., Al-Sagan, A. A., Alkhateeb, M., Taha, A. E., Abdel-Moneim, A.-M. E., Tufarelli, V., & Ragni, M. (2020). Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Meal as a Promising Feed Ingredient for Poultry: A Comprehensive Review. Veterinary Sciences, 7(3), 103.
²Yu, Z., Alouffi, A., Al-Olayan, E., Alshammari, F. A., Alanazi, A. D., & Alanazi, A. K. (2024). Efficacy of liver free and Chitosan against Eimeria tenella in chickens. BMC Veterinary Research, 20, 314.
³Fiorilla, E., Ferrocino, I., Gariglio, M., Trocino, A., Macori, G., Novelli, E., Mantia, A. L., Mastretta, M., Soglia, D., Bonfante, F., Candellone, A., Valori, S., Antoniazzi, S., Colombino, E., Gasco, L., Schiavone, A., Cocolin, L., & Biasato, I. (2024). Black soldier fly larvae: a one health approach to investigate gut, and organ health and meat quality response in slow-growing chickens. BMC Veterinary Research, 20, 580.
⁴van Huis, A., Van Itterbeeck, J., Klunder, H., Mertens, E., Halloran, A., Muir, G., & Vantomme, P. (2013). Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security. FAO Forestry Paper 171. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

About Thomas Stringer
Thomas Stringer, CFA, is CFO and co-founder of Flybox®, an innovative insect farming technology company specialising in industrial and research-grade solutions. With a private equity background focused on deal structuring and corporate finance, he has underwritten ESG-focused deals exceeding $1bn. Stringer leads Flybox’s involvement in the FeedFlow project, supported by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme.

BSFL: Better health & welfare for poultry yazısı ilk önce Feed & Additive Magazine üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

How did it all start?

I studied Industrial Technology & Management Science at the University of Bradford in England until 1988. Then I then spent two years as part of the team organising conferences for young people for Initiatives of Change, an international non-profit organisation that campaigns for a just, peaceful and sustainable world, in order to connect them with each other on a permanent basis. I also wrote for this organisation’s magazine.

From 1990 to 1991 I worked for a bank, entering data on the computer. I came to Nuremberg from England in the summer of 1991 and started working in a small computer company to improve my German language skills. After six months, I found out from my agent at the job centre that Dr. Harnisch Publications was looking for an editor with a technical background, writing skills, experience with people and travel. But English language skills were particularly important. This was my chance! I started working for Dr Harnisch Publications in February 1992 (and married Heike, my job centre agent in the same year).

I started out working for the trade magazine Food Marketing & Technology. I was allowed to select text and image material and edit texts into tidier English, followed by customer contacts and trade fair visits. After six months, I was responsible for creating the magazine and was able to decide for myself which articles to publish. At the same time, I expanded my DTP skills and so I was not only responsible for the content, but also for the layout of the magazine. In June 1992, I travelled to the USA for the first time for the publishing house. This was followed by several trips to the United States. Each visit enriched me and showed me something new – which still happens today!

What changes have you observed since then?

Dr Harnisch Publications was established in 1919 with the world’s first export magazine, Overseas Post. A lot has changed since then. In the 1990s, the publishing house specialised in the food and beverage sector. There were also trade journals for other sectors, such as process technology, construction elements, the woodworking industry, the food trade and the advertising materials sector. Since then, a number of new trade magazines have been created that have enjoyed immediate success in their respective niches. Over the past 10 years, we have increasingly focussed on digital distribution, newsletters and special editions for the specialist audience.

What were the particular challenges?

The technologies we work with at the publishing house are constantly changing. You always have to adapt. In the beginning, we used telex and manual montage paste-up. Then, fax machines were added and only later e-mails, which made work much easier and more efficient for us. You have to stay constantly up-to-date. Work is becoming more and more digital and therefore faster.

What has been one of your highlights?

Travelling around the world, such as being invited to Dubai to give a lecture or to South Korea to take part in a special food project as a guest of the government. I had a special experience in the north-west of Spain, where I visited a carrageenan factory. Carrageenan comes from seaweed from the cold water at the end of the continent. Lost in thought, I looked at the vast sea and waved across the Atlantic. Two years later, I took part in a blueberry harvest in eastern Canada, looked out over the vast ocean again and waved back.

What lows have you experienced?

One low point was on a trip to the south of France when I was given a traditional fish soup to eat as a guest. The next day I had red spots all over my body. It was on this occasion that I discovered my allergy to seafood.

What trends have you observed?

In publishing, everything is becoming faster and more accurate, the quality is getting better and better. You used to have to pay extra for a colour page, which didn’t happen that often because you were supposed to save money. That has changed. The trend is also moving away from print and towards digital publishing. However, there is still a need for printed magazines, as specialised articles simply live longer in the industry.

What new magazines have been added since then?

We founded drinkworld Technology & Marketing in 1997 because we had many customers, over 50 % of whom were active in the beverage industry. It didn’t make sense to publish just one magazine for the food sector – as it would involve too much wastage in advertising scatter. We developed the latest magazine 5 years ago for the production of pet food. PetFood PRO has struck a particular chord and developed into an internationally recognised magazine. Pet food has become better and better, especially where pets have become real family members. And that worldwide! The global pandemic has made many people more aware of this.

How do you manage to balance out a stressful working day?

After my first trip to the USA, I married my agent from the job centre, who I had known since we met earlier at one of the conferences I had helped to organise, and we have four children together. I am very happy to have my family behind me and to be able to support my children, who are now grown up, as much as possible. As a football fanatic, I helped train my children at the club. We now play together in a recreational team.

What do you wish for the future?

I am grateful to have experienced so much and at how everything has developed. I hope that it continues like this and that more and more people get involved in what I have started at the publishing house. For me, sustainability means passing on what you have learnt and experienced in a positive way.

“Mr Healey is our ‘face to the world!’”
“On his food adventures, he is not just an editor-in-chief, but also a connoisseur”
Benno Keller, Publishing Director

Der Beitrag Still Living the Dream erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between Dr. Harnisch Publications and Victam Corporation! Together, we will bring you unparalleled coverage and insights through the leading industry magazine, Pet Food Pro!

This collaboration begins today and will extend across all international events leading up to and during Victam International 2026, taking place from June 2–4, 2026, at Jaarbeurs, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Victam International 2026 is the leading global event for professionals in the animal feed, pet food, and grain processing industries. Taking place from June 2–4, 2026, at Jaarbeurs, Utrecht, Netherlands, it offers a unique platform to explore cutting-edge innovations, industry trends, and business solutions. The event combines exhibitions, conferences, and networking opportunities, connecting key players worldwide and fostering collaboration. It’s a must-attend for industry professionals seeking growth and insight.

More information

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more information: lonza.com

Der Beitrag UC-II® undenatured type II collagen for companion animals erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

LaVon began his career at Wenger Manufacturing in 1955 after studying engineering at Kansas State University. In 1977, he was named President and led the company, along with his cousin Don, to achieve significant success and global reputation. Through the years, LaVon used his intuition and foresight to develop numerous innovations for extrusion cooking technology – especially for pet food processing. LaVon is the inventor on 44 US patents.

Scott Krebs, President of Wenger Group, said, “LaVon’s fingerprints are evident each day in the various solutions used by Wenger customers around the world. Many of his pioneering concepts over the years have become today’s industry standards. His legacy continues to provide an example for us to be caring, fair, and respectful toward others. We are truly blessed to have known and worked with such a wonderful person and we extend our deepest sympathies to the Wenger family.”

LaVon lived his entire life in the town of Sabetha, Kansas USA. This is where Wenger Manufacturing was founded in 1935 and continues as the company’s global headquarters today. For decades, LaVon dedicated his time and talents to various community organizations to help Sabetha and neighboring towns become great places to live, work, and raise a family. Although he had an enormous impact on the extrusion cooking industry but people in Sabetha in particular will remember him most for being a kind and caring person. LaVon Wenger was a model of what true leadership looks like.

The team at Dr. Harnisch Publications joins with our readers in sending condolences to the Wenger team and family.

About Wenger
Founded in 1935, Wenger is the world’s leading supplier of extrusion cooking systems for use in food, pet food, and aquatic feed processing. Wenger is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JBT Marel Corporation.

www.wenger.com

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Der Beitrag Aqua Project: the latest trends in the aquarium industry at Zoomark 2025 erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

The incredible level of variety and product differentiation maybe good for the owners (and of course their pets), but it creates a logistical nightmare for the producers’ manufacturing and packaging operations. Not only do they have to cater for a wider choice of flavours and packaging formats, but they also have to create mixed packaging arrays that deliver the all-important dietary variety.

There has also been a major shift away from the typical 400g tin. The humanisation of pet food has resulted in more premium-look-and-feel packaging – on a par with human food packaging – with single-portion servings of fresher food gaining significant headway in this crowded market. Compounding these widely varying demands is a growing decline in plastic acceptance, which is seeing a move back to metal and recyclable packaging, albeit in varying sizes. Manufacturers have certainly got interesting times ahead and, as a result, so do the packaging technology companies.

Cama is in the perfect position to help pet food companies – both large and small – to realise greater efficiencies through the automation of packaging operations.  We’ve been supporting this industry for over 15 year now. We’ve seen the natural progression of packaging, starting with cans, onto trays, into pouches and now back to cans again. We’ve also addressed the multi-flavour issue thanks to tightly integrated and highly flexible automation infrastructures and in-house-develop robotic pick-and-place systems. Indeed, this industry is not unlike the coffee industry, in which we are a market leader, with its huge variety of packaging concepts

Learn more on our Petfood industry page:

http://camagroup.com/pet-food/

www.petfoodcompetencenet.com

Der Beitrag Packaging Variety is Not an Issue… If You Have the Right Solution erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

The Fi Europe is up and Running. Petfood PRO hás a prominent position in Hall 4.2, Stand H9.
Come by and find out!

Der Beitrag Petfood PRO at Fi Europe Frankfurt erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

– AFB International, a global leader in pet food palatability solutions and a subsidiary of Ensign-Bickford Industries, proudly announces the grand opening of its new Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samut Prakan, Thailand. The facility will play a key role supporting the rapid growth of the pet food industry in Asia while enabling AFB to better meet the evolving needs of its customers in the region.

With this facility in Asia, AFB will be able to enhance operational efficiency and ensure a more reliable supply chain, allowing for faster delivery and improved service.

“The opening our facility in Thailand marks a major milestone in our global expansion efforts. Our customers asked us to be local, and now we are! This facility strengthens our commitment to the region, allowing us to better serve our customers with enhanced efficiency, speed, and local support,” said Dale Spence, President of AFB International, reflecting on the milestone.

The new facility will serve as the regional hub for AFB International’s Asia Pacific operations, bringing together corporate offices, manufacturing, R&D, and quality teams under one roof.

“Thailand, the world’s third largest pet food exporter, is an ideal location for our new facility,” said Bas Melssen, General Manager/Vice President of Asia Pacific. “As a hub for innovation in the pet food industry, Thailand aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing product development and manufacturing excellence. Establishing our Asia Pacific headquarters here allows us to leverage Thailand’s expertise and leadership in the sector, being closer to our existing customers here, while further enhancing our ability to innovate and meet the growing demands of the region.” “Our Thailand facility is a crucial step in aligning our operational goals with our sustainability objectives,” noted Stephanie Hackmann, Vice President of Global Operations, recognizing the broader impact of the new facility. “By localizing production, we can serve our customers more efficiently, respond faster to their needs, and significantly reduce transportation-related emissions – a win for both efficiency and the environment.”

The opening ceremony welcomed over 130 guests from 7 countries, including representatives from leading pet food manufacturers and trade associations across Asia.

Following the formal opening ceremony, AFB will continue the celebration at the company’s booth N01 at Pet Fair Southeast Asia 2024, taking place from October 30 to November 1, 2024, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibitions Center (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

“This is a proud moment not only for our company but for the community we are becoming a part of,” Melssen added. “We welcome all industry professionals to visit our booth, join the festivities, and learn more about the exciting new chapter we’re starting with our facility in Thailand.”

About AFB International AFB International was founded in 1986 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA with a vision to create the best palatants and make pet food taste great. Today we are an international company with resource centers and production facilities designed to service pet food manufacturers across the world. Our portfolio of palatants are formulated to deliver optimal performance for each customer’s unique needs.

About Ensign-Bickford Industries
Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc. (EBI), founded in 1836, is a privately-owned high technology conglomerate, which today is focused on space & defense, pet food science, and biotechnology. They participate in businesses that are relevant to the future of the world and have multi-generational growth prospects.

Photo: AFB International / AFB Thailand, the first regional headquarters and manufacturing facility in the Asia Pacific region

Der Beitrag AFB International Celebrates Grand Opening of Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility in Thailand erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

At the upcoming FachPack 2024 exhibition, Coveris brings its No Waste vision to the next level by introducing an industry-leading range of sustainably designed films, laminates, fibre-based and premade packaging. Fully in line with its No Waste strategy, Coveris fully supports the ESG and sustainability needs set by their customers by introducing a wide range of innovative packaging covering both plastic and paper solutions, offering the best performing packaging with the least negative impact.

In addition, the company continues to eliminate waste in all its forms – avoiding product spoilage, packaging waste and operational waste, heavily investing in an innovative waste recycling process through its ReCover initiative and the latest cooperation with InterZero to fully close the plastic waste loop.

Increasing recycling and recovery in a circular economy, Coveris will be showcasing its recyclable and recycled solutions. The award-winning Duralite R shrink film wrap is manufactured using high-quality recycled resins, including those produced at Coveris’ pioneering ReCover recycling facility. This provides a lightweight and completely sustainable material for collated products, eliminating the need for virgin materials and supporting the UK and European plastics packaging tax compliancy. Another noteworthy solution is the fully recyclable range of pallet transportation packaging with over> 30% recycled content, including high power stretch, shrink and stretch tubing films. The complete range of pallet packing films is produced using recycled plastic and energy from renewable sources, offering an efficient and sustainable solution to stabilise and protect products during shipment.

Visitors at FachPack 2024 will also experience first-hand Coveris’ latest paper-based innovations, starting with the MonoFlex Fibre family which delivers high shelf-impact and recyclability within the existing paper stream. Despite being produced from a single layer of paper, this solution offers an optimal level of protection and barrier properties for pet food brands. Coveris’ circular offering at FachPack is complemented by the expanded range of recyclable PE and PP MonoFlex films and laminates, which includes various formats and sizes, even up to 12kg pet food bags. Designed as a sustainable alternative to non-recyclable or difficult-to-recycle plastics, MonoFlex films have been developed to preserve product shelf-life, performance, functionality and packing efficiency.

To learn more about the innovations and the No Waste sustainability strategy, visit Coveris on booth 232 in hall 4 at FachPack trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, from 24th to 26th September 2024.

More information: Coveris closes the loop with innovative highlights in plastic and paper-based packaging at FachPack 2024 | Coveris

Der Beitrag Coveris closes the loop with innovative highlights in plastic and paper-based packaging at FachPack 2024 erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

TRAPO will be presenting the new compact class at FACHPACK this autumn:
from entry-level models to space-saving high-performance palletizers. Based
on decades of palletizing expertise, the company from Gescher-Hochmoor in
Westphalia will be presenting compact class articulated arm robots that can be
flexibly adapted to any spatial situation live in Hall 3C, Stand 551 from 24 to 26
September.
Optional: All palletizers in the series are available in a food-compliant version.
Accordingly, all models in the current compact class with this option have FDA
approval (Food and Drug Administration according to the US authorities).

The robots are inserted into existing spaces “like with a shoehorn” – ideal for existing
production halls with a ceiling height of 2.60 meters. The robust, space-saving
compact class is starting the new trade fair season with three sophisticated models.

For the end-of-line palletizers, which are used at the end of a production or
packaging line, TRAPO uses articulated robots from the High-Speed Robot System
Series (HRS Series) plus multifunctional grippers. The compact class of robotic
palletizers is designed to optimize production processes as well as product handling
and productivity. Thanks to a modular system, there are numerous options for
meeting individual automation requirements.

With three basic models, the compact class offers solutions for palletized goods such
as buckets, bags, drums, cans, cartons, canisters and more. As an experienced
partner, TRAPO complements the palletizing line with AMR expertise, pallet buffer
systems (sequencers) and automated truck loading with the TRAPO TLS 3600
loading system, for example. The company specializes in the needs of the food and
pet food industry.

The three models in the TRAPO compact class
Small robot for big relief: The TRAPO Cobot Palletizer (TCP) fits through any door –
the performance model for easy entry into automated palletizing. Supplied on just two
pallets, the mobile robot, which can act as a “colleague” without a fence, is used
wherever its palletizing performance is required. At the same time, TRAPO is
providing a convincing answer to the shortage of skilled workers with the Cobot:
employees who previously palletized manually can now be deployed elsewhere in
production!

Features

• Fully automatic palletizing, removal and transfer of pallet goods
• 230 V / 16A
• Robust construction
• Compact design / footprint with 2x Euro pallets incl. intermediate layers = 2500 x
  2750 mm
• Output: up to 6 cartons / minuteGripper of the trade fair exhibit: vacuum suction cup
• (supply via compressed air or compressor, feed in robot arm)Can be used for a wide variety of packs and stacking and layer patterns
  Output at floor level for easy removal by hand pallet truck
• Optional: layer pad handling

The HRS compact palletizer also represents the next generation of articulated
robots used for precise palletizing.

Features:

• Fully automatic palletizing, removal and transfer of pallet goods
• 400 V / 33A
• Suitable as an end-of-line solution
• Intelligent control system; easy-to-operate HMI
• Robust construction
• Compact design / footprint 3600 mm x 6130 mm
• Output: up to 28 cartons / minute (with 4 products per run)
• Can be used for a wide variety of packs and layer patterns
• Output at floor level for easy removal by hand pallet truck
• Optional: layer pad handling
• For EURO pallets, optional industrial pallets

Robots from the HRS series are the basis for requirements with high palletizing
performance.

Features:

• Fully automatic palletizing, removal and transfer of pallet goods
• 400 V / 33A
• Suitable as an end-of-line solution or for connection to a conveyor system
• Intelligent control system; easy-to-operate HMI
• Robust construction
• Footprint 5800 mm x 11760 mm
• Output: up to 33 cartons/minute (with 4 products per run)
• Gripper of the trade fair exhibit: Equipped with a tine gripper
• Can be used for a wide variety of packs and layer patterns
• Optional: turning station / layer pad handling / empty pallet magazine
• For EURO and industrial pallets

The compact class: equipped with individual grippers

Robot applications need the perfect equipment to perform the required task perfectly.
Proven gripper technologies influence availability, increase performance and protect
the product.

End-of-line palletizing – integrated into reliable conveyor technology
The entire process is supported by a reliable roller conveyor. This not only ensures
that the products are fed in smoothly, but also that the pallets are provided in an
orderly manner. As an option, the palletizers can be supplied with empty pallets via a
robust empty pallet magazine to stabilize the workflow.

All robots in the compact class deliver the pallets via conveyor technology at floor
level – from there they can be removed manually using all standard pallet trucks.

Precise and efficient: layer pad handling
The flexibility of the compact class is enhanced by the optional layer pad handling.
This can be carried out either as an integrated additional function on the robot’s
gripper or via a separate swivel arm, which handles the layer pads separately from
the actual palletizing process. This additional sheet feeder further increases the
performance of the palletizing process.

TRAPO palletizing software for freely selectable stacking patterns
Companies in the packaging industry are taking a further step towards automation
with the TRAPO PACK software. This efficient, easy-to-use palletizing software
configures the optimum layer pattern from the dimensions of the package and the
pallet – for perfect stack formation as the basis for stable shipping units. Once
generated, layer patterns are optimized on the monitor. Layer patterns and pallet
loads can be configured by the user and saved for subsequent palletizing processes.

About TRAPO
TRAPO teams automate production and intralogistics worldwide, install machines,
partial and complex systems: for (de)palletizing, packaging, conveying, warehousing,
sorting and distribution technology as well as autonomous loading and unloading.

Over 65 years of expertise in mechanical engineering make TRAPO GmbH the
perfect partner for all tasks in the packaging industry. Whether a new or existing
system: thanks to the modular design, the systems can be individually configured for
production and intralogistics areas.

TRAPO has had its own stainless steel production facility for over 50 years, where
components for use in care areas are manufactured in accordance with hygiene
design specifications. With its expertise in the automation industry, TRAPO has also
established itself as a partner to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The aim of the tailor-made, individual automation solutions: The harmony between
economic success and the humanization of workplaces. Wherever possible, TRAPO
engineers take sustainable solutions into account, for example in the conscious use
of resources.

TRAPO GmbH is headquartered in Gescher-Hochmoor in North Rhine-Westphalia. A
sales office for Scandinavia is located in Denmark. In addition, TRAPO GmbH has
representatives worldwide and is present at all important industrial locations.

More Information: www.trapogroup.com

Der Beitrag The compact class of TRAPO robot palletizers erschien zuerst auf petfood pro Technology & Marketing.

The current situation is still not as optimal as it was estimated. Above all, the health of exhibitors and visitors and the successful outcome of the event are most important to the organizers.

In light of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, which has forced the Royal Thai Government to implement new strict measures to control the spread of the pandemic, and the delays of the vaccination programs in several Asian countries, VICTAM and VIV do not see the opportunity to realize a large-scale event on the short term. Looking at the ongoing travel restrictions from and to Asia, the organizers also believe that it is not possible to guarantee the event quality as we know them for. The postponement to the third quarter of 2022 is in the interest of the whole industry.

VICTAM Asia in co-location with Health & Nutrition Asia are thus rescheduled to September 7-9, 2022. The new venue selected is IMPACT Halls 9-10, in Bangkok, Thailand. The objective remains the same: to realize the Total Animal Feed and Health event.

The dates secured in September 2022 will give all stakeholders room to breathe and pay attention to other vital issues. The organizers’ mission is to present a strong, value-adding event to the industry with high benefits for all parties.

VICTAM Corporation and VIV worldwide will also continue their partnership in Europe in 2022 by co-locating VICTAM International and VIV Europe at the Jaarbeurs venue in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from May 31 – June 2, 2022. With the high percentage of vaccinations in Europe there is no reason to doubt that this show can successfully go on as planned.

For more information, please visit the official websites www.victamasia.com and www.vivhealthandnutrition.nl. 

Sebas van den Ende                                                  Heiko M. Stutzinger

General Manager                                                         Director VIV worldwide and Managing Director

VICTAM Corporation                                                 VNU Asia Pacific and VNU Europe

Press contacts.

For more information, please contact:

• Mrs. Frederiken van Hilten, fvanhilten@victam.com (Marketing and Communications Manager VICTAM)
• Ms. Elena Geremia, elena@vnueurope.com (Senior Marcom Manager VIV worldwide)
• Ms. Saengtip Techapatiphandee, saengtip@vnuexhibitionsap.com (Assistant Marcom Manager VNU Asia Pacific)

Save the date:

IFTC 2022: 31 May/1 June 2022, Utrecht, the Netherlands

The 2^nd International Feed Technology Congress (IFTC 2022), organized by Wageningen University and the VICTAM Foundation will be held from 31 May/1 June 2022 during the VICTAM International 2022 in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

            After the successful 1^st edition, brought together 120 researchers from 26 different countries of all continents in Cologne, Germany, the 2^nd edition again will focus on bringing together researchers from universities, research institutions and industry to discuss the latest developments in feed technology. During the 1^st IFTC, valorization of raw materials by technology, current process developments and outcomes of feed technology with respect to feed formulation were major topics. A special Workshop was organized to discuss current and future issues of importance in feed manufacturing technology. Contributions and the results of the Workshop were recently published as a special issue of the ‘Animal Feed Science & Technology’ journal. The successful format of the 1^st IFTC will guarantee high quality presentations by world-renowned experts, open discussions, and publication of the latest scientific and practical developments in feed technology during the 2^nd IFTC.

The 2^nd IFT Congress will be held in Utrecht, the Netherlands during the VICTAM International Exhibition in 2022. Please save the date of the Conference (31 May/1 June 2022) and share this message with your contacts or any person who might be interested in presenting their paper. The topics of the conference and speakers will be published soon.

Further announcements on the submission organization will come by August/September 2021.

By Dr A.F.B. van der Poel,

Wageningen University & Research,

Animal Nutrition group, Wageningen,

The Netherlands

Potential speakers are invited to submit noncommercial abstracts on topics including:
• New research on companion animal nutrition;
• Novel ingredients and their potential applications in pet food or treat formulations;
• Data, trends and predictions for the pet food market, focusing on Europe and including opportunities for innovation;
• New pet retailing information pertinent to the selling or distribution of pet food, including via e-commerce, in Europe;
• New information or ideas for marketing pet food, including via social media;
• New information, techniques or processes for product development in pet food;
• Update on regulatory information relevant to pet food in the European Union;
• New research, technology or processes for pet food production;
• New research, technology or other information on pet food packaging;
• New, specific information on one focused aspect of pet food safety (no general overviews of regulations or pet food safety programs).

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this exciting conference!

The aim of the training is to provide the necessary information to the participants on the revised version and cover the following topics:  
- FAMI-QS Certification Process 
- FAMI-QS Code 
- FAMI-QS Process Documents
- FAMI-QS Regulatory Compliance 

Who should attend the ‘FAMI-QS: Awareness in Feed Safety’ training program?
- Anyone involved in the implementation of the FAMI-QS Certification System (Quality Managers, Consultants, etc.)
- Internal FAMI-QS Auditor 
- Producers, Suppliers and Traders of Specialty Feed Ingredients 
- Individuals who want to get further information on FAMI-QS Certification 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
- Venue: LE MERIDIEN BANGKOK, 40/5 Surawong Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand 
- Schedule: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM 
- Admission Fee: 150 € per participant (the fee includes training material, coffee breaks and lunch) 
- Binding registration: 16th February 2018. 
- To register, please fill in the attached registration form and email it to info@fami-qs.org. 

Besides its market value, a credible/ accredited Third Party Certification could also be a useful tool in hands of competent authorities, regarding, e.g. planning of the official controls or “granting” market access to products or operators.   

Third Party Certification is not meant to substitute the responsibilities of competent authorities, but has been increasingly recognized by a number of them as an important element, which not only supports their enforcement role, but can also help setting state-of-the-art practices at global level and, as such, facilitate understanding and exchanges worldwide.  

To enhance better understanding of the role of Third Party Certification in Feed and Food Safety and the role of FAMI-QS in feed safety, a one day workshop on the 4th of April 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia will be organized. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:  
- Venue: JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta, Jalan DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Kav E.1.2 No 1&2, - Kawasan Mega Kuningan Jakarta, Indonesia 12950  
- Schedule: 10:00 - 16:00 
- Binding registration: 15 March 2018 
- For more information on the workshop please contact FAMI-QS Secretariat at +32 2 550 3452 or info@fami-qs.org. 
- Please complete the Registration Form and return it to: FAMI-QS secretariat, info@fami-qs.org. 

Read all about the FVG Select 2017 event, the VICTAM Asia 2018 preview, the Global feed survey from Alltech, Industry news, the Nutrition and feed survey by WATT Global Media and much more. Subscribe here if you would like to receive the next edition via e-mail. Please add in the message if you would like to receive the printed version of Showtime.

You can now book your stand for VICTAM Asia 2018! You can find all the detailed information on our website: http://victam-asia.com/exhibitors.  

The floor plan will be online as soon as possible. Please mention your preferred location on the comments box of the application form. If you book before October 1st you will receive an early bird discount! 

The last edition in 2016 was sold out. You can read all about the facts & figures of VICTAM ASIA 2016 here. We expect this edition to sell out as well so secure your stand space as soon as possible. 

For any further questions, please feel free to contact us at expo@victam.com or via +31 33 246 4404.

We look forward to meeting you in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2018!

Read more by clicking on "visit website".

The EU-28 (Greece, Malta and Luxembourg excluded) figures show that poultry feed production grew by 2%, whereas pig feed fell by 1% and cattle feed remained stable. On the pig feed side, after 2 years of moderate growth, the production decreased by 1% in 2016. This can partly be explained by the effects of African Swine Fever in Eastern Europe, which weighed heavily on the development of pork production, but also by low market prices for pork the first half of 2016 and large availability of feed grade cereals at low prices which benefitted on-farm mixing.  

Read the full article from AllAboutFeed here.

“Als organisatie maken wij al jaren een gestage groei door”, laat Operationeel Directeur Wouter Kuijpers weten. “In het verleden is er om diverse redenen nooit voor gekozen om over te gaan naar een ISO 9001 certificering. Door de nieuwe ‘High Level Structure’ (HLS) van de normering is nu echter het moment gekomen om aan te tonen dat de processen binnen Dinnissen voldoen aan de gestelde eisen van ISO 9001:2015. Voor de bestaande en toekomstige klanten zal deze certificering onderschrijven dat kwaliteit en het continue verbeteren hiervan in het DNA van Dinnissen zit.” 

Lees hier het complete artikel van De Molenaar.

Against this backdrop, the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) and its sectorial network the European Pellet Council (EPC) will host an International Pellet Conference on the 14th of June, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. The “European Pellet Future” conference will be held in conjunction with the FVG Select 2017. During this conference, technical and financial topics will be addressed, including but not limited to; pellet quality, pellet safety, cost and energy optimisation and risk management. One of the benefits of attending such AEBIOM conferences is to receive updates on ongoing EU legislative processes as well as statistical information on bioenergy. This provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in the sector. 

The full article by Suzi Dominy, Executive editor/Publisher, Aquafeed.com can be downloaded below. 

The 8th edition of the FIAAP Animal Nutrition Conference aims to address the most pressing issues facing today’s nutritionists and animal feed producers. The one-day event, held on June 14, 2017 in Cologne, Germany, will circle around several key topics: antibiotic elimination strategies, animal feed additives, alternative ingredients and monogastric gut health. Download the flyer for more information or go to www.fvgselect.com. 

The Hydro-Mix HT is a high temperature sensor that will measure moisture in materials that have a process temperature of up to 120°C.  This makes it ideal for installation before or after dryers or in mixing systems. Typical applications include animal feed production, rice and grain processing or other similar applications that need to control moisture in high temperature materials. 

The Hydro-Mix XT is a digital moisture sensor that has measurement modes that optimise results in materials such as grain, rice and other similar materials. This sensor has an external seal enabling it to be installed in dusty or liquid processes or applications, from 1 Bar Vacuum to 5 Bar pressure. 

Both of our new sensors, unlike other systems available in the market, comprise a single unit that contains all on-board functionality such as signal processing, smoothing and averaging.  These sensors come with fixing plates that makes them easy to install flush with the internal wall in drying, ducting, conveying and mixing systems.  

All Hydronix sensors are designed for use in flowing materials with readings being taken 25 times per second as the material passes across the ceramic sensing face.  With Digital Inputs/Output, a choice of measurement modes, free configuration and calibration software and a global sales and support network, Hydronix is already the supplier of choice for many OEM equipment manufacturers, system integrators and end-users. 

Figure 1: Hydro-Mix HT                         Figure 2: Hydro-Mix XT

Please visit our website for further details: www.hydronix.com. Email us on enquiries@hydronix.com or by calling +44 1483 468900. 

For enquiries regarding the press release please contact: Melany George, Marketing Executive: mgeorge@hydronix.com. 

changed but applications have. Read more in the downloadable article (click below this message).

Bulkwagenproducent Welgro in Groenlo speelde al langer met het idee om een 4-asser te bouwen zonder in te boeten op het totale laadvermogen, vertelt marketingmanager Jarno Meijer. “De afnemers kozen tot nu toe nog allemaal voor de traditionele drie-asser. De Hoop Mengvoeders is de eerste voerleverancier die de overstap naar de nieuwe bulkwagen maakt. De eindontwikkeling hebben we in nauw overleg met De Hoop gedaan.” 

Meer over de ontwikkeling van de nieuwe 4-asser van Welgro in een van de komende edities van De Molenaar. 

This is not the only benefit for KSE. “We supply various machines, each with its unique features. This means one and the same part can differ per machine. By using 3D printing, we can produce very flexible. This allows us to deploy developments much better and faster in a shorter time”, Willemse adds enthusiastically.

KSE sees a lot of future opportunities for 3D printing. With a brand new assembly hall and many product innovations it continues to invest in the future to meet customer requirements.
About KSE Process Technology

Founded in 1973, KSE Process Technology is a family business that has grown to a worldwide concern. It supplies everything a factory needs to dose, weigh and transport materials. Besides the ALFRA dosing and weighing systems, it provides PROMAS automation solutions and services for the animal feed industry and related industries.

For more information, visit www.kse.nl or follow KSE on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Enquiries
KSE Process Technology B.V.
Marijke Vreugdenhil
Marketing & PR
Tel: +31 (0)497 383818
Marijke.Vreugdenhil@kse.nl

Ben jij(*):
-    Een 3e of 4e-jaars HBO- student met een bovengemiddelde interesse in data management?
-    Bekend met het organiseren van evenementen?
-    Zelfstandig, initiatiefrijk, sociaal en communicatief vaardig?
-    Een goede mix van een denker en een doener?
-    De Nederlandse en Engelse taal in woord en geschrift machtig?
(*) Als je alle bovenstaande boxen hebt afgevinkt ben jij de man/vrouw die wij zoeken!

Je werkt vooral aan:
Het in kaart brengen, analyseren en op orde brengen/opschonen van onze huidige data. En je helpt mee met het opzetten van de nieuwe datastructuur. Tegelijkertijd verwachten we dat je bereid bent waar en wanneer nodig bij het organiseren van de evenementen te ondersteunen. Tot slot krijg je de tijd en begeleiding om aan je afstudeerscriptie te werken.
Je kunt full time aan de slag vanaf december 2016 of januari 2017, voor een periode van 6 maanden.

Onze stagevergoeding:
Is € 400 tot € 500 bruto (op basis van 32 tot 40 uur) per maand. Ook ben je 2 dagen per maand vrij (op basis van 40 uur per week).

Wij zijn Victam International BV:
En organiseren onder de noemer FIAAP, VICTAM en GRAPAS internationale vakbeurzen in de diervoeding, rijst- en bloemverwerking en biomassa industrieën in Europa en Azië. Op 13 en 14 juni 2017 lanceren wij een nieuw evenement in Keulen, Duitsland: FVG Select 2017.  FVG Select is een nieuw format bestaande uit drie elementen: een uitgebreid congres programma, een matchmaking programma en een vakbeurs voor een geselecteerd aantal bedrijven. Voor meer informatie over Victam International BV ga naar www.victam.com.

Stuur je motivatie en CV naar:
erikheemskerk@victam.com. Vermeld hierbij ook de gewenste startdatum, stageduur, aantal dagen en eisen vanuit school. Voor inhoudelijke vragen kun je contact op nemen met Erik Heemskerk op 033-246 4404 of 06-3343 7945.

Victam International B.V. is the organizer of FIAAP/VICTAM/GRAPAS International in Cologne, Germandy and FIAAP/VICTAM/GRAPAS Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. Victam also organizes the brand new FVG Select Event in Cologne, Germany, from 13014 June, 2017.

For more information: www.victam.com

Important dates:
- FVG Select 2017, June 13 – 14, 2017 New event!
- FIAAP/ VICTAM/ GRAPAS Asia 2018, March 27 – 29, 2018, Bangkok, Thailand
- FIAAP/ VICTAM/ GRAPAS International 2019, June 12 – 14, 2019, Cologne, Germany.

Victam International B.V. is de organisator van de vakbeurzen FIAAP/VICTAM/GRAPAS International in Keulen, Duitsland en FIAAP/VICTAM/GRAPAS Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. Zij organiseert tevens het gloednieuwe FVG Select evenement in Keulen. FVG Select wordt op 13 & 14 juni gehouden in de KoelnMesse in Keulen.

Voor meer informatie: www.victam.com

Belangrijke data:
- FVG Select 2017, 13 – 14 juni, 2017, Keulen, Duitsland.  Nieuw evenement!
- FIAAP/ VICTAM/ GRAPAS Asia 2018, 27 – 29 maart, 2018, Bangkok, Thailand
- FIAAP/ VICTAM/ GRAPAS International 2019, 12 – 14 juni, 2019, Keulen, Duitsland.

Descripción del trabajo:
• Vender metros cuadrados y productos relacionados (publicidad, patrocinio) para nuestras ferias a (posibles) expositores en España
• Gestionar las relaciones con los clientes en España
• Representar a VICTAM durante eventos relacionados en España
• Ofrecer apoyo en la promoción de los visitantes
• Establecer y mantener relaciones con asociaciones, medios de comunicación, etc.
• Supervisar y notificar desarrollos y tendencias relevantes del mercado en los sectores de piensos, granos o biomasa en España

Perfil:
• Tener experiencia relevante en ventas en relación con ferias, conferencias y eventos
• Estar orientado al cliente
• Ser hispanohablante y tener buen dominio del inglés
• Tener afinidad con ferias
• Estar dispuesto a viajar
• Tener afinidad con los sectores de piensos, granos o biomasa

Características:
• Persona emprendedora, con destrezas comerciales y sociales, creativa y curiosa, representativa, con capacidad para soportar el estrés y estable.

Se llegará a un acuerdo con el candidato adecuado sobre la base de comisiones sobre productos vendidos. Si procede, se reembolsarán los gastos de desplazamiento.

Las personas interesadas pueden ponerse en contacto con Erik Heemskerk de Victam International , llamando al número +31 33 246 44 04 o enviando un mensaje a erikheemskerk@victam.com

Stellenbeschreibung:
• Verkauf von Quadratmetern und von damit verbundenen Produkten (Werbung, Sponsoring) für unsere Ausstellungen an (potenzielle) Aussteller in Deutschland
• Kundenbeziehungsmanagement in Deutschland
• Vertretung von VICTAM bei Events im Zusammenhang mit dem Unternehmen in Deutschland
• Unterstützung bei der Besucherwerbung
• Aufbau und Aufrechterhaltung von Beziehungen zu Assoziationen, Medien, etc.
• Beobachtung relevanter Marktentwicklungen und Trends im Bereich der Futtermittel-, Getreide- und Biomasseindustrie in Deutschland und diesbezügliche Berichterstellung

Profil:
• Relevante Vertriebserfahrung im Zusammenhang mit Messen und Events
• Kundenorientiert
• Deutschsprachig mit guten Englischkenntnissen
• Affinität zu Ausstellungen
• Reisebereitschaft
• Affinität zur Futtermittel-, Getreide- und/oder Biomasseindustrie Charaktereigenschaften:
• Unternehmerische, kaufmännische und soziale Fähigkeiten; kreativ und wissbegierig, repräsentativ, belastbar, stabile Persönlichkeit.

Mit der/dem geeigneten Kandidatin/en wird eine Vereinbarung auf Kommissionsgrundlage im Hinblick auf verkaufte Produkte getroffen. Falls anwendbar, werden Reisekosten zurückerstattet.

Bei Interesse bitte bevor 16. September Kontakt aufnehmen mit:
Victam International, Mr. Erik Heemskerk, Tel. +31 33 246 44 04 oder erikheemskerk@victam.com.

The Aquafeed Innovation Award was won by Kemin Industries (Asia) Pte. Ltd. It was accepted on their behalf by Michael van den Dries.

The runner up for the GRAPAS Innovation Awards was Agentis Innovations. The award was accepted by Yiannis Christodoulou.

The winner of the GRAPAS Innovation Awards was Eye-Grain Aps. The award was accepted by Peer Hansen.

The Animal Feed Technology & Nutrition Award was won by Huvepharma. The award was accepted by Lode Nollet.

More pictures of the exhibition can be found in this Google Photos album.

The conference, which draws the aquafeed industry together from throughout Asia Pacific and beyond, focuses on advances in feed processing and formulation that bring practical solutions to the commercial aquaculture feed sector.
Early Bird registration is now open and offers a discounted registration fee in addition to group and other discounts. Special rates are also available for students and Thai speakers.

"We are grateful to Buhler, Nutriad, Olmix and Wenger for stepping forward to support this year's conference as sponsors", said Suzi Dominy, Aquafeed.com's publisher and the conference organizer. "We applaud their commitment to helping us bring information and knowledge to this specialized and vital sector of the aquaculture industry; they help us reach more people who can benefit from the expertise our presenters bring".

PROGRAM±
- INTERACTIONS OF EXTRUSION AND INGREDIENTS FOR AQUATIC FEEDS - Joseph P. Kearns, Vice President Aqua-Feed Div., Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., USA       
- DURABLE SINKING FISH FEED WITH LOW STARCH FORMULATIONS AND AN EXAMPLE WITH INSECT MEAL AS ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN - Urs Wuest, Product Management Aquafeed & Petfood, Business Unit Nutrition, Bühler AG, Switzerland
- PRE-PROCESSING OF FEEDSTUFFS TO IMPROVE THEIR FEEDING VALUE FOR AQUACULTURE FEEDS - Dr. Dominique P. Bureau, Professor, University of Guelph, Canada
- GART AS A PLATFORM TO INVESTIGATE DISEASE CONTROL STRATEGIES AGAINST AHPND/EMS IN SHRIMP - Dr. ir. Margriet Drouillon, Business Developer Aqua UGent, Belgium
- ADVANCES IN AMINO ACID NUTRITION OF SHRIMP - Dr. Alexandros Samartzis, Regional Technical Sales Manager, Evonik (SEA), Singapore
- PLANT EXTRACTS IN AQUACULTURE FEEDS: FROM MODES OF ACTION TO PRACTICAL APPLICATION - Clementine Oguey, Aqua Product Expert, PANCOSMA & Associates, Switzerland
- EFFECT OF AN ALGO-CLAY BASED BIOCATALYST ON THE DIGESTIVE AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF JUVENILE SHRIMP (LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI) - Maarten Jay van Schoonhoven, Aqua BU manager, Olmix, France
- FEED FOR THE FUTURE: THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BETTER AND SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY - Dr. M A Kabir Chowdhury, Global Product Manager - Aquaculture, Jefo Nutrition Inc., Canada
- FUNCTIONAL FEEDS – BAD BUG BUSTERS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT FROM DISEASE IN FARMED FISH AND SHRIMP - Dr. Peter Coutteau, Business Unit Manager – Aquaculture, Nutriad International NV, Belgium

Press contact: Suzi Dominy email: suzidominy@hawaii.rr.com

The GRAPAS Awards organised by Milling and Grain had joint winners.

Alapala (pictured above) won the award for their Similago II Rollermill.

Buhler AG (pictured above) won the award for their Antares Plus Rollermill.

The Aquafeed Innovation Award organised by Aquafeed.com was won by Tovalia Intelscan SARL (pictured above) for their iScan Silo Moisture Sensor.

The FIAAP Animal Nutrition Award organised by AllAboutFeed was won by Adifo (pictured above) for their One tool - MultiModel - MultiSpecies tool.

More pictures of the award ceremony and the exhibition can be found in this album.

Submissions to the call for papers for oral presentations are due November 1, 2014. The FIAAP 2015 content advisory board is seeking noncommercial abstracts on the latest research and information on topics such as animal nutrition, formulation and new developments in the ingredient and additives industry.

The topic should be original to FIAAP International 2015 and the information should be new and innovative. The submission must include evidence of past speaking experience. For more information, please visit www.wattagnet.com/169305.html

About FIAAP
FIAAP exhibitions and conferences cover the ingredients and additives used within the formulation of animal feeds and are attended by senior executives from all over the world. The conference is geared toward the interests of nutritionists, veterinarians, feed formulators, CEOs, feed mill directors, integrators, co-operatives, hatcheries, etc. across the poultry, swine and dairy industries. 

Presented by WATT Global Media and Feed International magazine, the 6th FIAAP International Conference will take place June 9, 2015, in Cologne, Germany, and will be co-located with VICTAM International together with the 8th Aquafeed Horizons Conference on June 9, 2015, and Petfood Forum Europe on June 10, 2015. The 2015 VICTAM International event combines the FIAAP, VICTAM and GRAPAS exhibitions (and their respective conferences) under one roof at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, June 9-11, 2015.

The EU depends for 75% of its needs for protein-rich ingredients for feeding purpose on the global world markets. Some of these GM products, maize, soy and rapeseed are already commercialized abroad, others will be harvested and made available in the key exporting regions to the EU as from autumn 2014. Further delays in the EU authorization process may, therefore, lead to significant shortage and trade disruptions due to unavoidable presence of these GM events in our supplies of both GM and non-GM material. This would trigger uncertainty on import flows, supply chain disruptions and price hikes for basic food products and major feed ingredients as well as undermine the competitiveness of the EU food, feed and livestock sectors, if a decision is not taken in July 2014.

The 8 GM products have been deemed safe by the European Food Safety Authority (ESFA) and have reached the final stage of the risk management process. The decisions for the related EU import authorizations lay in the hands of the EU Commission: some of them are awaited since the end of 2013.

Footnote:
(1) Maize MON 87460, Rapeseed GT 73, Soybean 305423, Soybean MON87708, Soybean MON87705, Soybean BPS-CV127-9, Maize T25 and Cotton T304-40

The Aquafeed Innovation Award was won by Norvidan for their NODS - Norvidan On-line Density System.

FUMzyme, a purified enzyme from Biomin to detoxify mycotoxins in animals has won the FIAAP Animal Nutrition Award. The runner up was Kemin with its multi-enzyme product. More information can be found on this AllAboutFeed page.

4B Braime Elevator Components won the GRAPAS Award with their Hazardmon product. Recommended were Morillon for their Super SHG Hydrascrew and Buhler for their Combistoner.

The Aquafeed Horizons Asia Conference presents advances in formulation and processing technology, while the FIAAP Conference focuses on feed additives and ingredients. Both meetings feature presentations by international teams of industry experts.

The full programs, presentation summaries, speaker biographies and registration can be found at: www.feedconferences.com

Petfood Forum Asia 2014 will feature numerous experts sharing their knowledge and insights on pet nutrition and ingredients, the Asian and global petfood markets, new product development, petfood safety and production and much more. Registration is now available for Petfood Forum Asia, which will be held April 9, 2014, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, in conjunction with Victam Asia/FIAAP Asia 2014.

View the full conference agenda here.

Petfood Forum Asia 2014 is co-located with VICTAM Asia/FIAAP Asia, one of the largest agrifeed trade shows in the world. Victam Asia is scheduled for April 8-10, 2014, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Petfood Forum Asia does not have any exhibits; all exhibits are part of VICTAM Asia/FIAAP Asia, which Petfood Forum Asia co-locates with at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre. Petfood Forum Asia 2014 participants will be able to visit all VICTAM Asia/FIAAP Asia exhibits. Registration is separate and free if you register in advance.

VICTAM Asia/FIAAP Asia has arranged for special discounted rates at four hotels in Bangkok -- all easily accessible to the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre via convenient public transportation. Find details and further travel information on the Victam website.

Thai Union Feedmill is also studying the use of enzymes in fish and shrimp feeds to increase nutrient digestion and maximize nutrient utilization of fish and shrimp.

Application of enzymes also enables the company to reduce the use of fish meal in aqua feeds in order to respond to customer’s concerns over sustainability of natural resources.

“The extrusion technology is more suitable in making both fish and shrimp feed as it treats the feed with high temperature and in a short time. We apply enzymes in the feed through a coating process, and this way the enzyme efficacy remains intact,” said Bunluesak Sorajjakit, managing director of Thai Union Feedmill.

Thai Union Feedmill installed an extruder from Wenger of the US at its feed mill in Samutsakhon province, about 90km west of Bangkok, late last year.

Supplies of extruders and other milling equipment from across the world will showcase their latest technology at VICTAM Asia and FIAAP Asia 2014 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Bangkok (BITEC), Thailand during 8-10 April 2014.

The two events are Asia’s biggest and most important exhibitions dedicated to the region’s feed industry.

“This is a historic bulk delivery of US soybeans to Vietnam,” he said, adding there are three more bookings for US soybeans fully loaded in handymax vessels by importers in Vietnam later in the year.

Handymax is a type of cargoship for transporting goods in bulk such as grains with its capacity ranging from 40,000-50,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage).

The crushers in Vietnam process soybeans into soybean oil. A co-product from the processing is soybean meal, which is sold to feed milllers across the country. 

Soybean meal is the main source of amino acids, which are building blocks of proteins in animals. That is why it is one of the most important ingredients in animal feed.   

Soybean meal from different origins contains a varying level of nutrient contents, particularly in amino acids and energy.   

To provide the latest studies on soybeans in animal nutrition, the US Soybean Export Council will take part in the FIAAP Conference 2014 held alongside FIAAP Asia 2014 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Bitec) in Bangkok, Thailand on 9 April 2014.

The conference will also address various issues related to efficient use of novel feed additives for boosting health and growth of animals.

FIAAP Asia 2014 is an international event focused on feed ingredients and additives. It will take place at Bitec from 8-10 April 2014 together with VICTAM Asia 2014 and GRAPAS Asia 2014.

VICTAM is an exhibition dedicated to feed production technology, while GRAPAS focuses on grain and rice processing.

To shed light on this opportunity, Bioenergy International Magazine will organise a one-day conference titled ‘Pellets & Biomass Update Asia’ during Victam Asia 2014, an exhibition on feed and biomass technology that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 8-10 April 2014.

The conference will look at how husks, shells, nuts, EFB’s (Empty Fruit Bunch), fines, dust or other residues from feed and food industries can provide internal energy cost reductions, waste management solutions or become valuable revenue streams.

The conference aims to describe the potentials, explore the opportunities and provide, for the region and the sector, relevant examples and case studies.

Victam Asia 2014 will be held alongside GRAPAS Asia 2014 (grain and rice processing) and FIAAP Asia 2014 (feed ingredients).

However, it is somewhat problematic in applying the right dose of enzymes due to their non-linear effects. Adding an enzyme at a wrong dose or at a higher level than those recommended by the manufacturer could lead to uneconomical results.

To fix this, Adifo, provider of software solutions for the feed industry from Belgium, has developed an enzyme module that defines the non-linear effects separate from the ingredient matrix, which is provided by the enzyme manufacturer as a reference for the user.

"The enzyme module that we develop is very unique. It sets up all the effects of the enzyme outside the feed formulation and the ingredient matrix," said Hans van der Wal, Adifo's Market Development Manager.

"This means that you just define in the system what the effect of the enzyme will be for a certain animal group, a certain nutrient and a certain ingredient. So, you can see right away what effect the enzyme has on energy, protein and other nutrients," he explained. 

Based on these unique features, the enzyme module of Bestmix accurately calculates the optimal inclusion rate of the enzyme.

Adifo will showcase its solutions for feed formulation at Victam Asia 2014, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 8-10 April 2014.

Driving the demand is the power sector. The report said since 2012 the South Korean government has imposed power companies with a generating capacity of 500MW or more to use renewable energy by 10% within 2022. 

To meet this target, a number of power producers in South Korea are turning to import biomass pellets as they are the most economical solution.

The sector used 55,000 tonnes of pellets in 2012, and their use is expected to jump to 400,000 tonnes in 2013, the report said.

Russia was the biggest supplier of pellets to South Korea in 2012, supplying 34.1% of its total import, followed by Malaysia 25.1%, Vietnam 24.7% and Indonesia 7.3%.

With its abundance in agricultural by-products such as rice husks, corn stalks and cobs, straw and more, Vietnam has a great opportunity to produce pellet fuels serving the energy sector in South Korea and worldwide.

To get an update on the biomass pellet business in Asia, the Bioenergy International will organize a conference on “Pellets & Biomass Update Asia” on 10 April 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand.

It will take place at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre or Bitec. The conference is a part of VICTAM Asia 2014, FIAAP Asia 2014 and GRAPAS Asia 2014.

Besides, he said, the expander technology also offers other advantages such as improving feed hygiene due to its high temperature, short-time treatment.

Currently, Trang Wattana Farm produces about 1500 tonnes/month of pellet feeds for use in its farm that rears 2500 sows and produces 4500 commercial pigs.

On average, the pigs (18-100kg) achieve an average daily gain (ADG) of 780g/day and FCR 2.4-2.5.

Mr Rawat targets to increase the ADG of the commercial pigs to over 800g/day and lower the FCR to below 2.4. And he hopes that the expander feed could enable him to achieve this target.

He will visit FIAAP and Victam Asia 2014, which will be held during 8-10 April 2014 at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand, in search of the expansion technology and learn more about its benefits from suppliers, his fellow pig farmers and feed millers who gain experiences in this technology.

Issued by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in November 2013, the report said Indonesia produced sufficient corn for making feed. However, feed millers preferred to procure corn from abroad because of its superior quality.

“Poor post-harvest handling, inconsistency in quality and high moisture content make local corn unfavourable for feed millers,” the report said, citing the Indonesian Feed Millers Association.

USDA forecasts that corn demand for feed in Indonesia would increase 6.4% to 6.6 million tonnes in 2013/2014 crop year, which started in November 2013.

The country’s corn imports in the year would increase by 12% to 1.9 million tonnes. Over 70% of Indonesia’s corn imports come from India, followed by Argentina, Brazil and the US.

To optimise the use of locally produced corn in Indonesia, feed millers and traders need to join forces with farmers to improve post-harvest handling, storage and preservation.

As the key ingredient in poultry feed, improving quality of local corn would significantly decrease the cost of poultry production, and make chicken and eggs more available at a more affordable price. 

Indonesian feed millers, corn growers and traders can update the latest technology and knowhow in post-harvest handling, storage and preservation at Victam Asia, FIAAP Asia and Grapas Asia 2014.

"The competition in the south is very tough, but we're confident that we'll be able to penetrate into this market. We target to set up the new plant in Dong Nai because we've been selling a big volume of piglet feeds in the province and the farmers are very happy with the quality of our products," said Dao Manh Luong, Austfeed's CEO.

Austfeed started shipping its feeds for sales in Dong Nai and other southern provinces since the end of 2012. The feeds are shipped from its feed mill in the central province of Binh Dinh and stored at its warehouse in the province before distribution to the customers.

"It will be a big project in Dong Nai because we see a big potential in the southern market. We plan to build a large-scale feedmill and invest in the latest technology for the operations there," he said.

Austfeed started moving south since 2011 when it built a feed mill in the central province of Binh Dinh. 

Although livestock production in the central was not so well developed at that time, it saw a potential to grow the market there.

"Our feed sales in the central were very slow in the past, but they're increasing to the level that we have decided to build a feedmill there. The living standard of people there is getting better and meat consumption is increasing, boosting the demand for livestock feed," said Mr Luong.

Initially, the plant in Binh Dinh had a capacity of 50,000 tonnes/year, but its capacity had been fully utilised after a year of the operations.

This has led the company to install the second production line capacity 100,000 tonnes/year in 2012 with all the equipment supplied by Buhler of Switzerland.

"We made the right decision to expand in the central because livestock production in the region is growing up quickly. Many pig and chicken farms in the south are moving to the central as they can't find land to expand their operations due to rapid urbanisation in the south," he said.

To find out technology for expansion of his feed business, Mr Luong will visit FIAAP & VICTAM Asia 2014. The event will take place at the Bangkok Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangkok,Thailand during 8-10 April 2014.

It is Asia's largest trade exhibition for the feed industry. Suppliers of milling technology and related equipment for feed manufacturing from over the world, along with international suppliers of feed additives and ingredients will participate to showcase their latest innovations at the event.

The plant, which also produces aquaculture feeds, has been operating at its full capacity of 8800 tonnes a month.

"It's time for us to build a feed mill dedicated to petfood production as we're seeing our petfood sales growing leaps and bounds. We have set aside USD 50 million for building the plant that will be equipped with the latest production technology," said Mr Narongchai.

The new petfood plant of Betagro will be located on its production complex in Lopburi and its construction will begin in late 2013.

Betagro has set up a team to study the petfood market in Thailand in order to develop the products that fit the need of the customers in the future. The team was also sent to learn about petfood technology in Europe.

Mr Narongchai said Betagro sold about 3000 tonnes of petfood/month. This accounts as about 12% share of the petfood market in Thailand. 

Thailand will rank the eighth fastest-growing market for pet care, which also includes petfood, in the world between 2013 and 2018, projects Euromonitor International, a market research firm.

It said pet care sales in Thailand will grow by about USD 300 million in the period, driven by rising incomes and levels of pet ownership. Increasing number of pets in emerging markets such as China, Thailand and India are switching to commercial petfood. 

In 2013, petfood accounts for 77% of the global pet care sales of USD 96 billion, said Euromonitor. 

To update petfood professionals in Asia on the global and regional petfood market trends, and advances in petfood nutrition and processing, FIAAP & VICTAM Asia 2014, Asia's largest trade exhibition dedicated to the Asian feed industry, will include a petfood conference during the event.

Called 'Petfood Forum Asia 2014, it will be held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) on 9 April 2014.

For more information, visit http://petfoodforum.petfoodindustry.com/PetfoodForumAsia.

The rise in feed demand is motivating feed millers in Indonesia to build more feed plants in 2013 and beyond.

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia, a subsidiary of Thailand agri-food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, is due to open its new feed mill in West Java, said Ong Mei Sian, directof of CP Indonesia.

Costing USD 30-40 million, the plant will have a capacity of 20,000 tonnes/month production of poultry feeds.

The company will build two more feed mills in Bali and Pandang in 2014 with an investment of USD 20 million for each plant.

CP Indonesia currently operates seven feed mills in Indonesia with a combined capacity of about four million tonnes.

In June 2013, InVivo Indonesia, a subsidiary of InVivo Group from France, opened its fifth feed mill in West Java, said managing director Felix Segalen.

Costing USD 15 million, the plant has a capacity of 150,000 tonnes/year and its capacity can be doubled in the future.

It has two production lines, one for livestock and the other for fish feeds. Stolz, French milling equipment manufacturer, supplied its latest technology for the plant, which is one of the most modern feed mills in Indonesia.

Stolz as well as other milling equipment suppliers from over the world will showcase its latest technology at VICTAM Asia 2014, which, along with FIAAP Asia,  is Asia's largest trade exhibition dedicated to the feed industry.

The owners, President and CEO Tom Tylutki, Vice President of Marketing and CFO Caroline Rasmussen, Vice-President for Development Vajesh Durbal, and Lynn Gilbert bring unique experience and skill sets to the company.

AMTS and Adifo will join forces to integrate the Cornell model into the cloud based FaaS (Formulation as a Service) ration balancing tool. This tool will enable nutritionists, consultants and all industry partners to communicate and share data in real time via the cloud, always providing up to date information to their customers and partners.

Tom Tylutki, President and CEO at AMTS says: "It is our mission to provide and promote integrated solutions that enhance the economic and environmental sustainabilityof animal agriculture and allied industries. We have known the BESTMIX® products for quite some time now and we are convinced that these tools bring great value to feed producing companies.”

Reaching the top
Following an intense ten-month period of training, Ernst Nef presented the graduates of this year’s course their Diplomas in the Hotel Uzwil, qualifying them as Feed Production Engineers or confirming their attendance of the course. In his entertaining address, Ernst Nef emphasized the high significance of training and continuing education. He expressed his admiration for the students’ decision to go back to school: “By making this far-reaching decision, you took up a challenge that you have now successfully met. Today, you have reached the top. With the knowledge you have acquired and your great commitment, you now have the right instruments available to satisfy the rigorous requirements of safe and economical animal feed production.” He said that the goal was on the one hand to meet consumers’ needs for hygienic feeds that are safe for humans and animals alike. On the other hand, he said that companies were increasingly facing the challenge of producing and marketing feeds more efficiently and especially more responsibly while meeting legal regulations and directives.

A Russian as the best in class
Ernst Nef personally handed each graduate their diploma, adding some amusing personal anecdote to his congratulations. It has become a tradition for the SFT to distinguish the student with the highest grade during each diploma-awarding ceremony. This year the award in the form of a commemorative plaque went to the Russian Grigory Khoroshchenko, who attended the course in German – a foreign language for him. Grigory Khoroshchenko works as an Area Manager Feed & Biomass in the Bühler branch office in Moscow. Peter Hofer, Vice President of the School Board of the SFT, congratulated the best in class for his outstanding average grade of 5.54 (out of 6) and handed him the traditional pewter plaque.

New concept
The Diploma Course on Feed Manufacturing Technology was held for the second time on the basis of a new concept. The course starts in the spring with a 15-week preparatory correspondence course. This is followed by a four-week intensive course in Uzwil. In the autumn, the second block is then held with a preparatory correspondence course of the same length and the final intensive block in Uzwil. In the two preparatory courses, the students must deal with 21 different subjects. During the two intensive courses, they must pass a total of 14 written exams. The highlight and completion of each individual block are the two verbal examinations in the core subjects in front of a panel of experts. The new concept reduces the students’ absence from their jobs.
The 33^rd Specialist Course in Feed Manufacturing Technology will start in January 2015 and be held in English.

Focus on practice
The SFT is a not-for-profit association that is recognized by the Swiss Feed Manufacturers Association (VSF) as an institution of training and continuing education. The goal of the SFT is to impart practice-oriented specialist knowledge on feed production to professionals from the feed manufacturing industry and related industries. Successful completion of the Diploma Course enables graduates to understand all the modern production processes in a feed manufacturing plant and to apply them meaningfully in practice. Bühler, the international Technology Group, is the partner of the SFT. More than 500 students from 65 countries have so far successfully completed the Specialist Course in Feed Manufacturing Technology. (pd)

Ernst Nef, School Director of the SFT (2nd from the right); Soeren Overgaard, Head of the Bühler Feed & Biomass Business Unit and President of the SFT School Board (right); and SFT Members of the School Board Urs Wuest (2nd from the left) and Peter Hofer (left) congratulate the best in class of the 32nd Diploma Course, Grigory Khoroshchenko from Russia (center).

The 12 students of the 32nd Specialist Course in Feed Manufacturing Technology with their instructors and the Managing Committee of the Swiss Institute of Feed Technology (SFT).

For more information, please contact:

Ernst Nef, School Director SFT, phone +41 71 955 33 63, e-mail sft.uzwil@buhlergroup.com

The company's location, next to the former flour mill Neumühle Otto Gräf, is situated in the Lahn valley of Hessen in Germany not far from Frankfurt/Main airport.

The company founder, Construction and master miller Dieter Otto Gräf started the company in 1992 with the patented vibration dampening technology to drastically reduce cereal temper time and energy cost.

To supplement its well known patented vibration dampening system for grain temper time reduction, the company offers a global assortment of systems for complete online process control:

• exact automatic moisture controllers and water dosage units ;
• precise continuous flow metering systems for granular or powdery bulk solids;
• accurate online temperature, moisture, protein and specific weight control systems;
• cereal and granular bulk solids heating cabinets;
• intensive powder hydration mixers;
• online colour control techniques for powdery bulk materials.

Analysts said the data may lessen the pressure on the central bank to ease its monetary policies to spur growth.

"Overall, the Thailand economy is in a pretty good shape right now," Rahul Bajoria, an economist with Barclays Capital told the BBC.

"It is unlikely that the central bank will cut rates anytime soon. The numbers clearly indicate that there is no urgent need to do that."

Inflation concerns

The floods in Thailand had an impact on some of the biggest industrial areas and resulted in many factories being shut.

That hurt Thailand's exports, one of the biggest drivers of its economic growth.

To make matters worse, a slowdown in demand from key global markets also hurt the export sector.

As a result, Thailand's government implemented various steps to help stoke domestic demand in an attempt to offset the decline in exports and sustain growth in the economy.

It raised minimum wages in various parts of the country, in some areas by as much as 40%.

The government also announced plans to spend 2tn Thai baht ($65bn; £40bn) on infrastructure projects after the devastating floods.

For its part, Thailand's central bank, the Bank of Thailand, cut interest rates in October last year, bringing down its key rate to 2.75% from 3%.

Analysts said that given the strong domestic demand and increased government spending, a rise in consumer prices remained a concern and may prompt the central bank to keep rates on hold in the short term.

"Domestic demand momentum is certainly picking up and this will spill over into 2013," said Eugene Leow of DBS Bank.

"The focus will likely turn towards inflation, especially considering the robust growth numbers."

Source: BBC News

Today, FEFAC states: "While pig feed production dropped by 2%, cattle and poultry feed have seen their production grow respectively by +1.5 and +1%. As a consequence, poultry feed consolidated its position of leading segment of EU compound feed production slightly above pig feed".

According to FEFAC, the most important factors which weighed on EU feed demand in 2012 were the still fragile economic situation of the pig sector and soaring feed material costs.

"Among the largest producing countries, Germany and UK performed rather well, with annual growth slightly above 2%, while France and Poland remained stable and Spain, Italy and the Netherlands saw their production fall at rates between -1 and -2%. Production of poultry feed in Southern Europe was affected in particular by the implementation of the new welfare standards for laying hens", stated FEFAC.

"The high cereal prices over the last two years contributed to improving the competitive market position of industrial compound feed production vs. home mixing. However, this gain was offset to a certain extent by the development of alternative pig feeding strategies based on roughly grinded feed and liquid feeding. As a result, Germany’s position as leading EU country in terms of total compound feed production before France was strengthened, with Spain scoring third place", added FEFAC.

For 2013, FEFAC expects a stabilisation in poultry feed production, a further reduction in pig feed production (-1%) and a slight increase in cattle feed demand (+1%).

"Further market uncertainties are linked to the impact of the implementation of the new group-housing requirements for sows. Overall, compound feed production is expected to remain unchanged vs. 2012", commented FEFAC.

FEFAC also warned that, with agricultural commodity prices expected to stay high, the average cost for supply of feed materials could be higher in 2013, as compared to 2012.

"After two major crop failures for soybean in South and North America, a record harvest for soybean is expected in Brazil in 2013, but its positive impact may be undermined by the storage and logistics issues it could trigger. On the cereals side, the uncertainty is still important regarding the quantity and quality of the next harvest, due to bad weather conditions in major exporting countries", it said.

Source: Feedinfo News Service

Alexandra de Athayde, IFIF Executive Director, explains, “the Feed Manual is designed to increase safety and feed quality at the production level both for industrial production and on farm mixing.” Ms de Athayde added, “We are very pleased that we have launched the Chinese language version of the Feed Manual. China is the number one producer of animal feed today and only by working together can we continue to ensure feed and food safety, while meeting the demands of 60% more food for 9 billion people by 2050 and to do so sustainably.”

The English and Chinese versions of the Feed Manual are available for download at www.ifif.org. An Arabic, French and Spanish language version of the Manual will be launched later in 2013.

The SFIS project is designed to measure and establish the role of specialty feed ingredients on the environmental impact of livestock production and the Scientific Council will provide independent expert advice on the project during the course of the work in order to ensure scientifically robust inputs in the analysis and prepare the ground for a future peer reviewed publication of the project output once it is completed.

Prof. Dr. Matthias Finkbeiner, Chair of Sustainable Engineering at the Technical University Berlin and Chairman of the SFIS Scientific Council, welcomes the “involvement of globally renowned experts in such an important project, which aims to contribute to global activities in the area of the environmental effect of livestock production.” Prof. Finkbeiner added “the Members of the Council would provide expert review for results of the projects, which will be shared with international stakeholders and with feed chain operators in order to encourage more sustainable livestock production globally.”

India’s millers have much to add to the efficient production of feedingstuffs in this diverse 1.3 billion population market. That is why Perenealde Publishers Limited of the UK and Assocom of India have joined together to bring the first Global Milling Conference, set down for Chennai, India from February 7-9, 2013.

“To gain first hand information, to network and to assess this important marketplace, a visit to the 1^st Global Milling Conference is a must for anyone working in the feed industry at a multi-national level,” says Roger Gilbert, publisher of Perendale Publishers’ magazine Grain and Feed Milling Technology.

He says the Indian market is so important internationally that his company has set up printing and distribution arrangements within India for its milling title this year.

“Attending this conference, which covers all aspects of milling, from feed to food, will not only be valuable in terms of understanding a market potential, but also offer presentations that deal with the latest developments in all aspects of milling in one place.”

The cost of attending is between US$1500-2000, including airfares, depending on your originating country. Details of the event’s venue, its program and other information can be found on its website at: http://assocom-india.com/gmc/index.php

Many companies have set up base in Asia Pacific, bringing innovative products and technological advancements to developing markets. Their state-of-the-art capabilities enable them to offer customised, efficient, cost-effective solutions with superior nutritional benefits to farmers in the region.

"These global participants' best practices have raised the standards and practices of the industry," said Frost & Sullivan Industry analyst Anjaneya Reddy. "However, with the outlook for the Asia Pacific economy still dim, feed suppliers have had to cut costs to maintain their customer base."

Farmers also prefer fresh feed over fortified or supplemented fodder for animals, as they have access to fresh feed across seasons. Additionally, farmers prefer alternatives to fortified food because their higher prices tend to shrink their already thin margins.

Concrete measures by the industry and the government to market the efficacy benefits of feed ingredients to farmers will boost adoption and expand the market.

"Suppliers must focus on creating awareness of the benefits of feed fortification, such as its ability to extend shelf-life, keep animals in good health, and provide quality products like meat and eggs," noted Reddy. "Organisations and various associations could also customize ingredients to suit the needs of the farmers, as well as take advantage of the safe image of various feed ingredients for branding purposes."

Courtesy of Far Eastern Agriculture

This is annual show organised by EAC, a professional organiser and the Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association with the support of other poultry associations and including the Indian feed association - CLFMA.

The show comprised approximately 200 exhibitors, mainly Indian. The exhibitors were showing a diverse cross section of products from incubators, feed supplements, poultry housing, and a few feed equipment manufacturers.

From their observations it was clear that the Indian feed market is expanding in all of their sectors - poultry, dairy, aqua and even pet. The use of manufactured feed is and will increase as the existing millers and new companies invest in up-dating plant or build new mills. Our staff understood from exhibitors and from their own observations that Poultry India is the strongest and most visited livestock event in India.

The current broiler market is depressed which meant that there were fewer visitors to this show this year, however the quality of the visitors remained high. The 2011 show attracted 25,000+ visitors, though there were fewer this year, the majority of exhibitors accepted that this was due to the depressed market.

During their conversations many of the Indian and international exhibitors expressed an interest and enthusiasm for the 2014 FIAAP and VICTAM exhibitions that are taking place in Bangkok from the 8 - 10 April 2014.

They were also told that India and Vietnam were now the top exporters of rice. The ASEAN Rice Summit was discussed alongside the GRAPAS Asia 2014 exhibition and conference. The Secretary General thought the Summit was an excellent opportunity for meeting with other ASEAN Rice Associations and Government Ministries and immediately agreed to attend and support both the GRAPAS exhibition and the Rice Summit as well.

Mr Askam Sudi told them that the Association had a new President, Mr. Ketua Umum, who was unfortunately away at the time of the meeting, however that the Association was already aware of the ASEAN Feed Summit and that the Association was committed to participating.

The summit will convene at BITEC, the home of the event, and will comprise an international forum for Animal Feed Associations, together with related Associations from throughout the ASEAN region in order to discuss and determine the future policies and objectives for the industry. It is expected that the Presidents and Secretary Generals, together with members of these associations will attend and use the summits to prepare for the new ASEAN economic bloc.

The summit will be sponsored by the Victam Foundation, a charitable trust, in order to promote the interests of these important industries within the ASEAN markets and throughout Asia.

The ASEAN countries comprise: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The summit will convene at BITEC, the home of the event, and will comprise international forums for Rice Milling and Processing Associations together with related Associations from throughout the ASEAN region in order to discuss and determine the future policies and objectives for the industry. It is expected that the Presidents and Secretary Generals, Government Ministry officials, together with members of these associations will attend and use the summits to prepare for the new ASEAN economic bloc.

The summit will be sponsored by the Victam Foundation, a charitable trust, in order to promote the interests of these important industries within the ASEAN markets and throughout Asia.

The ASEAN countries comprise: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Showtime will inform its readers about our forthcoming events and shows, but it will also publish technical articles discussing the show topics. Therefore every edition, still two per year, will contain an article for FIAAP on feed ingredients and additives, VICTAM will have a feed processing article as well as one on biomass pelleting technology and GRAPAS will have information on rice or flour milling or specific areas within grain processing. Each article is colour coded to identify which show sector is being presented.

Companies supplying the feed, grain and biomass pelleting processing industries have also been invited to supply information on their latest innovations, services etc.

I do hope that you find Showtime interesting and of value.

To download pdf issues of the magazine, click Download in the menu on the right.

Henk van de Bunt, General Manager, Victam International BV.