May 2024 - International Petfood magazine

55 million m3 built

New pendular and rotative sensors

ATEX 20 certified, the zone with the highest risk

· SY-DP1 Pendular . Robust and simple. It does not require power and maintenance.

· SY-DR1 Rotative . Sensitive. It has 2 operating modes depending on the density of storage material.

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May 2024

FEATURES

12 Canine Health Nutrition

16 Maximising Efficiency: Maintenance for Tubular Drag Cable

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - events are vital to the continued development of our industry!

Attending an event is not just an excuse to see a shopping centre in foreign city.

Visiting an event is always a unique experience that throws up hidden gems that exhibitors have in their booths that a quick walk-past does not always uncover.

Roger Gilbert Publisher, International Petfood Magazine

You’ve spent the money on travel and stay so why not take your time in the exhibition halls and conference rooms to gleam the most you can from the limited time available?

What might you ask is special about a petfood event in particular to spare the time?

Well, several things. The manufacture of the foods that pet owners are going to purchase from their local retail or supermarket outlets need to be understood by us who are in the business off producing those foods in the first place.

We need to learn what the trends are and what is ‘in’ and what is ‘out’ as far as the very discerning consumer and pet owner is concerned.

Where we can’t follow a trend - say, into gluten-free or nongrain feeds, etc - we need to gather reasons for countering and balancing our manufacturing process and product information with those that challenge us.

One-size will not fit all and that is particularly true in the petfood arena.

As a magazine serving the petfood manufacturers, we focus on those exhibiting at expos to promote their products to understand the impact their developments will have on the petfoods of the future. We report not just the shows but the people attending along with their products. We also report on conference presentations and we request individuals who have technology you should know about to write for us.

International Petfood is a unique publication that brings to your door those topics that you might have missed when attending a show or had no awareness prior to reading about it here.

Our May edition is full of insightful information that will help you in staying on track to be the best you can be in the sector(s) you serve.

Bidding a fond farewell

Professor Simon Davies has been with our International Petfood magazine from almost its beginning and is now stepping down as Nutrition Editor to pursue other avenues of nutrition and science particularly in the livestock sector. He has brought to our readers a wealth of information and understanding, which I’m sure has influenced the way petfoods are formulated and targeted. His last column here on the next page, focuses on how we can fight cancer in our pets through enhanced understanding of nutrition and better diets. A well worthwhile read.

We wish Professor Davies all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for his contributions over the past several years. Happy reading to you all!

Our last edition

Did you miss our April 2024 edition? If so, don’t panic! we published last month on our App - which you can download from the Apple Store, Google Play or online at : https://magstand.com/petfood - with the latter platform granting you the opportunity to see all of our back editions on the screen of your desktop computer.

What you may have missed…

Canine oral health And insect-based pet food by Protix, Netherlands

New study shows a diet based on the black soldier fly improves oral health and reduces dogs’ bad breath. A recent study published in the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed into the impact of insect ingredients in dog food has reported positive effects on dental health. Volatile sulphur compound (VSC)-producing bacteria in the dental plaque were reduced and beneficial bacteria such as Moraxella were increased in saliva microbiota. The study, conducted with a diet based on the black soldier fly (BSF), shows a drop in the dreaded bad breath that afflicts many of our canine companions. The results open up exciting opportunities for pet food manufacturers to develop

new applications, from treats and kibble to wet food, that capitalise on the positive oral health message.

https://issuu.com/international_aquafeed/docs/ ipf2404_web/18

Mealworms for pet food recipes Low ash content with an interesting mineral profile by Dr Lorena Sanchez, Scientific Project Manager, Sprÿng Powered by Ynsect, France

More than ever, consumers expect transparency and quality around the food they feed their animals. Pet diets remain under scrutiny as recipes boast premium ingredients and reduced unwanted additives. Many look to the ash content in a meal as a marker of protein-quality as it provides a measure of the inorganic matter of a feed material, that comes from bone, cartilage, tendons. The lower the ash level, the better quality of food. Ash levels are often a limiting factor of high-protein inclusion in pet food recipes. Full of a valuable mix of minerals that fit nutritional needs, Sprÿng’s mealworm-based ingredients are particularly attractive because they combine high protein levels with a low ash content.

https://issuu.com/international_aquafeed/docs/ ipf2404_web/20

The month of May, a great month for pets to get out and enjoy everything outdoors as spring brings on new and exciting smells and adventures. In this issue Prof Simon Davies has a nice review of an issue many of us have been through with our pets and it is cancer. He covers the topic discussing nutritional aspects which assist the pets to help improve life quality. Omega 3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, weight control and probiotics all topics which improve the well-being of the pets during these times. His insightful columns bring out a point that the interactions of the different branches in petfood production advance products and processes. Nutritionists formulate either inside or outside the bounds of the equipment. Those that discuss what the equipment can do in ranges before formulating are inside the boundaries of existing possibilities. Others voice what they feel is needed and at a point these desires have and do result in equipment and process advancements to achieve the goals. Prof Davies mention of fruits and vegetables, natural sources of vitamins and antioxidants, are most likely being used in petfoods now and surely the level of use could increase. Years ago, this would have been hard to do but as noted above equipment improved to meet the ever-changing performance requirements. Reviewing what the industry uses for the majority of petfood production, extrusion systems, it needs to be noted these systems have capabilities of adding fruits and vegetables in liquid form or also as dry ingredients. The idea of using fresh is appealing for marketing points but also in my opinion taste. Dry ingredients are already processed and in the case of high moisture products the moisture is removed mainly by heat. You cook these ingredients twice where only once if pumped in fresh into the extruder. The process would be to take the ingredient and liquify it so that it is pumpable. The modern system would have flow meters coupled with loss in weight for the dry portion of the ration to combine in the proper ratio. Using these ingredients over time and for predictability and process control the liquified materials must have an adjusted and even moisture content over time. Therefore, a system where moistures can be taken and adjusted before pumping into the process is used. Might be easier to arrange to receive as needed from a supplier individual products or mixtures of fruits and mixes of veggies. The lower the moisture in the ingredient the higher the possible addition rate. On a general sense extrusion is limited to about 32 to 35 percent maximum moisture and make a kibble. Also, in a general sense as extruders and preconditioners do vary, adding 30 percent level of 65 percent moisture fruit or vegetable slurry would add in the area of 19 percent moisture, including for the moisture in the dry ingredients you are up in the maximum area with a bit of room for steam and water addition for control. Add some meat and this would also need to be part of the 19 or 20 percent additions again due to moisture. Having stated all of this there are systems and processes where elevated levels of moisture

Joseph P Kearns Editor, International Petfood Magazine

can be uses in extrusion thus increasing the possibility of elevated meat, fruit and vegetable inclusion well above the approximately 20 percent inclusion rate.

Maike Rakebrandt of Leiber GmbH reports on Brewer’s Yeast in detail with discussion on an advanced, improved and enhanced version. It improves the gut health while increasing palatability and can be topically applied onto the product. Perfect every petfood plant has a coating system and usually can apply either liquids or dry powders with accuracy. These coating systems, much like modern extrusion system, are where products come together in a line and are combined continuously or by batch continuous methods. At production tonnage produced ranges of five or six tonnes per hour and above the cost of each ingredient is such that the advanced weighing/flow controls is usually easily justified for cost control if nothing else. Hit your minimums on the label but don’t go over greatly. Coating system designs include flow control by weight of the dry kibble and dry additives and flow meter control of the liquids added. Accuracy allows for great reduction in over dosing but also allows to achieve precise levels to be added.

Dell Williams of Cablevey Conveyors reviews the fact that maintaining conveyors over time instead of “fix after failure” is recommended. Specifically, the discussions cover cable style conveyors. However, it is noteworthy that all of the other style of conveyors in plants need the same considerations which can cover a full range of styles including drag conveyors, screw conveyors, vibratory style, pneumatic systems both positive and negative, bucket style elevators styles, conveyors in dryers and even the screws in the extruders are conveyors. All need attention and dependent on the conveyor the preventive maintenance will vary. Your supplier surely covered schedules of maintenance on the devices supplied. Computer systems can include an hour meter and programs based on hours for alerts on lubrication and maintenance schedules.

A side note on conveyors and current requirements for salmonella free petfoods considerations need to be addressed in critical areas. The non-processed side or ingredient preparation area would have a different set of access or ability to clean then in the processed area. The extrusion process pretty much, and you should validate, kills the required bacteria to meet standards. Possibilities to develop problems after extrusion can re-contaminate the product thus attention to conveyor design and access or developed cleaning systems to disinfect the system.

Post the extrusion die usually a belt conveyor or mainly a negative pneumatic system is used. Either case ability to clean is necessary. Conveyors would be a manual method while systems exist for pneumatic lines. An air heating system verifying a temperature is reached in the pneumatic line is a method used to clean and eliminate bacteria in these systems. Other conveyors should have access for cleaning and sanitation again following the manufacturers recommendations.

Fighting cancer in our pets through enhanced understanding of nutrition and better diets

The most common cancers and tumours in cats and dogs can vary depending on factors such as breed, age, and environmental exposure and dietary history. However, there are several types of cancer that are frequently diagnosed in our companion animals.

In dogs, mast cell tumours are one of the most common skin tumours. They can vary in appearance and behaviour, ranging from benign to highly malignant. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and can affect various organs and tissues in the body. It is one of the most common cancers in dogs and can manifest as swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and weight. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that commonly affects large and giant dog breeds. It typically occurs in the long bones of the limbs and can cause lameness and swelling. Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the blood vessels and often affects the spleen, liver, or heart. It is highly aggressive and can lead to sudden collapse and internal bleeding.

In cats, similar to dogs, lymphoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed. It can affect various organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, and kidneys. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that often affects the ears, nose, and mouth of cats. It is commonly associated with sun exposure and can be locally invasive. Mammary gland tumours are frequently observed in unspayed female cats and can be benign or malignant. Spaying cats before their first heat cycle significantly reduces the risk of developing these tumours. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the mouth and tongue of cats. It can cause difficulty eating, drooling, and oral pain. Obviously Top of Form diet and nutrition can play crucial roles in the health and wellbeing of both canines and felines, including their ability to mitigate and fight cancer and tumours. While it’s important to note that proper nutrition alone cannot cure cancer, it can significantly impact an animal’s overall health, immune function, and response to treatment. Here’s a summary of how diet and nutrition can aid in the fight against cancer in companion animals, focusing on dogs and cats.

1. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Many cancers are linked to chronic inflammation, and certain nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation levels in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, for example, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may help in reducing the risk of cancer development.

2. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, which can damage cells and lead to cancer development. Vitamins C and E, as well as beta-carotene, are powerful antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables, and incorporating these into a pet’s diet can help support their immune system and reduce oxidative stress.

3. Weight Management

Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer development in both humans and animals. Overweight animals are more prone to inflammation and hormonal imbalances, which can contribute to cancer growth. Maintaining a healthy weight of our dog and cat

Professor Simon Davies Nutrition Editor, International Petfood

through proper diet and exercise is essential in reducing the risk of cancer and improving overall health outcomes.

4. Toxicity

Exposure to certain toxins and carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer in pets. This includes environmental toxins, such as pesticides and pollutants, as well as toxic substances found in some pet foods. Ensuring a clean and toxin-free environment, as well as feeding high-quality, natural diets, can help minimize exposure to harmful substances.

5. Immune System Support

The immune system plays a crucial role in identifying and eliminating cancer cells from the body. Certain nutrients, such as vitamin D, zinc, and probiotics, can help support immune function and enhance the body’s ability to fight off cancerous cells.

Research and novel developments in the field of veterinary nutrition continue to expand our understanding of how diet and nutrition can impact cancer risk and treatment outcomes in companion animals. This includes advancements in personalized nutrition, nutrigenomics, and the development of specialized diets tailored to specific health conditions, including cancer.

For example, ongoing research is investigating the use of ketogenic diets in cancer therapy for pets, as these diets have shown promise in starving cancer cells of glucose, their primary energy source. Additionally, studies exploring the use of novel ingredients and supplements, such as medicinal mushrooms and herbal extracts, in cancer treatment for pets are also underway. There is increasing interest in seaweeds and protein hydrolysates as natural feed additives with functional properties to suppress the effects of tumours through immune therapy. Bespoke diets for our pets afflicted with cancer could be an invaluable pathway to promoting health recovery and welfare in the future. This area provides many opportunities for nutritional evaluation and development within the petfood industry and veterinary practitioner.

However, despite these advancements, there are still barriers in our understanding of how obesity and toxicity contribute to cancer development in dogs and cats. Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between diet, genetics, environment, and cancer risk in our companion animals. Additionally, more comprehensive clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various dietary interventions in cancer prevention and wider treatmenst for pets.

In conclusion, while diet and nutrition alone cannot cure cancer in dogs and cats, they play essential roles in supporting overall health, immune function, and response to treatment. By incorporating antiinflammatory foods, antioxidants, weight management strategies, and immune system support into their diets, pet owners can help mitigate the risk of cancer and improve the quality of life for their furry companions.

F Duerr & Sons expands its pet offering with Peamutt Balls

F Duerr & Sons will launch its first variant of its household favourite brand Peamutt Butter this month – introducing on-the-go dog treat ‘Peamutt Balls’.

Designed to be a tasty snack or a training treat for dogs, the new affordable Peamutt Balls will be hitting ASDA stores at the end of April. The new line will also be available on Amazon from the same date, followed by a listing in Sainsbury’s later this spring.

The high protein dog snacks are made from peanut butter, as well as additional peanuts, chia seeds and apple puree. The balls are also grain, gluten-free and palm oil free.

Speaking about the influence of petfood trends on Peamutt Balls, Managing Director for F Duerr & Sons, Richard Duerr, said: “Current trends show people are looking for simple, tasty ingredients in their dog treats. But while they must scrutinise a recipe, shoppers are also challenged by affordability due to rising living costs. With these things in mind, it was important for us to strike the balance of great taste at a good price.

“We often have the feedback that our Peamutt Butter is used as a training reward, but the jar isn’t always the easiest thing to take out and about. Peamutt Balls are easy to put in your pocket and

extends the usage to on-the-go. We hope the product will drive sales and open up the Peamutt brand to new shoppers.”

Peamutt Butter first launched to market eight years ago, today it is ranked as UK’s number 1 peanut butter for dogs, this new launch follows 63 percent year on year growth (2022-2023), the brand is now worth UK£2 million retail value.

Cave Pets evolves pet nutrition with regenerative organiccertified supplements

Cave Pets, a new omni-channel pet nutrition brand dedicated to improving the lives of pets while healing the planet, announced the launch of premium supplements designed to enhance the overall health of dogs at any stage of life. As the first and only pet nutrition brand with a selection of Regenerative Organic Certified products, Cave Pets is believed to be the only pet brand in the world sourcing ingredients and manufacturing pet supplements on more than 4000 acres of vertically integrated, ROC farmland in Tennessee and Missouri.

“There is an increasing need for transparency and accountability in petfood and pet nutrition production,” said Cave Pets co-founder Jason Dewberry, a natural products industry veteran. “Our Regenerative Organic Certified status is groundbreaking because it substantiates our mission of evolving pet nutrition while reversing negative impacts in the environment. It also ensures Cave Pets is meeting the highest standards in the world of soil health, animal welfare and social fairness.”

Elizabeth Whitlow, communications director of Regenerative Organic Alliance, said the organisation is pleased that Cave Pets took an important step by completing the certification process.

“Cave Pets is setting the standard for other brands in

The most advanced software solutions for pet food production:

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the pet nutrition space,” said Whitlow. “We imagine a world in which farmers, brands, policymakers, educators, researchers and individuals come together to create a healthy food system that respects land, animals, empowers people and restores communities and ecosystems through regenerative farming.”

Inspired by the age-old wisdom of primal nutrition that bridges ancestral diets with the needs of today’s modern pets, Cave Pets is making history’s most powerful superfoods available to pets on a daily basis. The product launch includes Chomps + Treats, Blend Powders and Mushroom Powders formulated with clinically studied, whole food nutrients to help pets thrive at any age. Formulated with novel ingredients such as Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, Reishi mushrooms, probiotics, turmeric, beets and proprietary blends, the supplements support a healthy immune system, a healthy microbiome and healthy joints.

Practical Short Course on Extruded Petfoods and Treats

A one-week Practical Short Course on Petfoods and Treats will be presented on July 8-18, 2024, at Texas A&M University in hybrid format by staff, industry representatives and consultants.

The program will cover information on petfood nutrition, material handling, preconditioning, extrusion of petfoods, extruded and non-extruded treats, baked pet treats, raw material, extrusion hardware, automation, product analysis, meat handling in petfood, drying, cooling, and enrobing, food safety, petfood and treat shelf life, troubleshooting and petfood related class activities. Reservations are accepted on a first-come basis, and you can register HERE.

For more information, programs and application forms, contact:

Mian N. Riaz, Ph.D, CFS

Associate Dept. Head and Holder of the Professorship in Food Diversity. Dept. Food Science and Technology Director, Extrusion Technology Program

Professional & Continuing Education- TEES Edge

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-2256

Tel: 979-845-2774; E-mail: mnriaz@tamu.edu

Health Nutrition Canine

Unlocking the Power of Brewers’ Yeast

by Maike Rakebrandt, Senior Product Management Equine & Pet, Leiber GmbH, Germany

Brewers’ yeast is a sustainable byproduct from breweries, which is produced in compliance with strict food guidelines. It is rich in many bioavailable active ingredients and nutrients like proteins, amino acids, B vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

As an autolysed brewers’ yeast, CeFi® pro undergoes a special production process that leads to the availability of valuable components for the animal in an open structure, and therefore

is significantly more readily available. In addition to nutritional components, CeFi® pro contains functional components such as:

• β-glucans (immunomodulators)

• mannan oligosaccharides (MOS/prebiotic)

• nucleotides (cell regeneration)

Nucleotides are considered as non-essential nutritional components, but they play an important role in many metabolic processes or partially in important life stages. Nucleotides can be absorbed directly by enterocytes in the intestine. They are made available in the body via the so-called ‘salvage pathway’. This is a conversion process intrinsic to the body that uses the components of nucleotides from metabolic processes, dead cells or also nucleotide-rich foods such as CeFi® pro and making these available for cell regeneration or cell production. However, the body’s own production can be limited for any number of reasons, e.g. reproduction of intestinal epithelial cells, blood cells, hepatocytes and immune cells or in stress situations such as in young or old animals in acute or chronic illnesses.

In a feeding trial at the Free University of Berlin 21 dogs of the Malamute and Husky breeds were fed for a period of 30 days with CeFi® pro (1.5g per day) or pure brewers’ yeast at (3g per day). During the entire trial period, CeFi® pro and also pure brewers’ yeast showed outstanding acceptance and no negative effects on body weight, faecal consistency or quantity of faeces. The composition of the microbiota was

considered on various levels. With regard to diversity (similarity dendrogram), two groups emerged (see Fig. 1). CeFi® pro formed a separate main cluster (left group) instead of pure brewers’ yeast (right group). It is already clear here that the products are digested differently. At the phylum level an increase in bacteroidetes emerged after the administration of brewers’ yeast and CeFi® pro CeFi® pro group showed at order level a significant decrease in the coriobacteriales, this was compensated by a clear increase in lactobacillus. Significant differences with CeFi® pro were also apparent for bacteriodales and for bifidobacteriales. At the genus level a significant decrease in peptostreptococcus sp. was observed. Peptostreptococcus sp. are strictly peptidolytic as they ferment only protein or peptides and amino acids. Due to this, the production of biogenic amines, ammonium or non-utilisable metabolites could increase. In the CeFi® pro group, the increase in lactobacillales at the order level could be traced back to the drastic increase in the genus lactobacillus. An increase in the bifidobacterium

was determined with the administration of CeFi® pro. The analysis of the shortchain fatty acids (SCFA) showed a significant increase in the lactate concentration after the administration of CeFi® pro (see Tab. 1). This verified the visible increase in lactobacillus on the order level and the drastic numeric increase in the genus lactobacillus.

In comparison to the use of pure brewers’ yeast, CeFi® pro demonstrated clearer and different types of changes in the faecal microbiota in dogs. The main effect relates to the drastic increase in lactic acid bacteria, in particular lactobacillus sp. An increased occurrence and activity of lactobacilli is to be assessed basically as a positive change in the microbiota. An increase in lactobacilli in the faeces along with a simultaneous decrease of strictly peptidolytic bacteria (peptostreptococcus sp.) shows that CeFi® pro is digested in the upper digestive tract, pure brewers’ yeast, in contrast, is more likely to be digested in the lower digestive tract. Additionally, CeFi® pro contains immunologically active substances such as β-glucans. The immune effect of various Leiber brewers’ yeast products

was examined in an in-vitro study with canine cells at the university of Ghent. CeFi® pro in particular positively influenced the interleukins, such as IL-6, IL-8 und IL-17A (see Fig. 2-4). Among others, interleukins serve as markers of inflammation (IL-6) and are liberated in acute inflammations, or as a key element (IL-8) in chronic inflammatory reactions because it attracts inflammatory cells to the location of the infection, or also as signalling cytokine (IL-17A) that is associated with various autoimmune diseases such as chronic inflammatory skin disease or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). CeFi® pro was able to reduce all three proinflammatory interleukins and thus reduce inflammatory reactions. CeFi® pro naturally combines essential and functional food components such as proteins, peptides and free amino acids and components with palatability enhancing properties like nucleotides and glutamic acid. In an external Household Panel with 30 dogs in a three-day preference test with standard dry kibbles for dogs, the kibbles were coated with 0.5 percent CeFi® pro. A significant higher preference was seen for the CeFi® pro group (see Fig. 5-7).

Fig. 2, 3, 4, NuTaste

Fig. 2, 3, 4, CeFi® pro Brewers yeast products with immune effect

Take Home messages

Through the gentle autolysis process, CeFi® pro combines the positive effects of beta-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) in the cell wall with the natural components of the cell interior like peptides, free amino acids and nucleotides in one product. CeFi® pro promotes the intestine, reduces inflammatory reactions and enhances at the same time palatability. CeFi® pro is a real all-rounder!

Maximising Efficiency

Maintenance for Tubular Drag Cable Conveyors

by Dell Williams, Technical writer on behalf of Cablevey Conveyers, USA

Petfood processors often rely on tubular drag cable conveyors to move sensitive materials and powders; therefore, it is important to properly design, install, and proactively maintain these systems to minimise production downtime and maximise longevity.

In today’s fast-paced petfood processing environment, it is a standard practice to run conveyors until something breaks or needs to be repaired, which can lead to significant unnecessary downtime.

“Processors traditionally have relied on third parties such as local millwrights to install and maintain conveyors. These third

parties may not have access to technical specifications or have not had the opportunity to read the manual and can therefore be unaware of system acceptable specifications and best practices. This can result in not only excessive downtime and maintenance, but also costly repairs and even premature system replacement,” says Fernando Mejia, Director of Product Life Cycle Management & Aftermarket for Automated Handling Solutions (AHS).

AHS combines the strengths of two market leaders, Cablevey Conveyors and Spiroflow, to provide customers with a specialised handling and automation product portfolio for mission-critical applications.

For petfood processors, instead of reacting to individual problems as they arise, a more effective approach is to implement total preventative maintenance (TPM) for conveyors. This involves ongoing service and engineering support, resulting in reduced downtime and lower Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs.

“We are here to assist customers reducing their total O&M costs. We are looking forward to partnering with our customers to inspect their systems, review layouts, and formulate a total preventative maintenance plan based on their needs. Failing in this, customers may continue to replace parts prematurely with all the needless downtime this involves,” says Mejia.

According to Mejia, the goal of a TPM program is to work with our customers to maximise the output of their conveyors and extend the lifespan of their critical capital equipment.

The Value of Prevention

With the sophistication of state-of-the-art conveyors, proactive, preventative, and predictive maintenance is an effective strategy. This is the case with tubular drag cable conveyors, which gently move product through a sealed tube using a coated, flexible stainless-steel drag cable pulled through on a loop. Solid circular discs (flights) are attached to the cable, which propel the product through the tube without the use of air.

While it is possible to utilise third parties to install the systems and in-house maintenance teams to maintain them, there are considerable advantages to involving an OEM Supervisor, since they possess unparalleled training and expertise on the system.

OEM technicians typically have years of experience exclusively servicing and troubleshooting tubular drag style conveyors. Our technicians have conducted hundreds of inspections in plants worldwide that run any material imaginable, from powders and blends to petfood, cereals, coffee beans, nuts, bird seed, and more.

“Many recurring problems stem from incorrect installation, which can involve improperly positioning the conveyor’s hangers, excessive tension, misaligning tubing, leaving gaps, or insufficient supports. All these defects can generate friction, noise, and prematurely wear parts, requiring replacement,” says Mejia.

An OEM can also proactively recommend the appropriate spare parts kits or high wear parts such as cables, connectors, or sweeps that are known to have shorter lifecycles. This method encompasses assessing both the condition and usage of the conveyor, while also leveraging predictive data to efficiently resolve numerous issues before any downtime occurs.

“As the OEM, we can analyse system usage as well as component wear and lifecycle data to accurately predict when vital parts will likely need to be replaced and have them replaced before something breaks,” says Mejia.

“The more a processor adheres to this type of total preventative maintenance schedule, the more likely the conveyors will provide optimal service throughout their anticipated lifespan,” adds Mejia.

A comprehensive annual inspection of the conveyor system by the OEM is highly recommended. With the shortage of skilled mechanics combined with high employee turnover, we are here to perform in-depth inspections and recommended maintenance. This solution is mainly targeted to processors that have one or multiple tubulars drag conveyors running constantly throughout the year.

According to Mejia, detecting problems such as gaps or misalignments requires camera inspection. The annual inspection also assesses the conveyor’s tubes, walls, sweeps, connectors,

input, and output. In addition, cables should be checked for integrity and tension, discs and sprockets for wear, and joints should be validated.

During the inspection process, the OEM can recalibrate or replace any components outside of system specifications. In the case of AHS, service technicians also advise on the use of any available update or retrofit kits that can further facilitate increased output.

While the frequency of the annual service visits depends on the system application and environment conditions, several factors can help determine the optimal frequency. As a partial list, this can include the type of conveyor systems in the facility, system length and complexity, average daily use, environment conditions and the type of

material conveyed. When these factors are analysed, a service visit might be scheduled once or twice per year, as the situation warrants.

Many petfood processors can benefit greatly from collaborating with a knowledgeable conveyor OEM to establish a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan. For instance, Mejia highlights the case of a processor that aimed to revamp their maintenance strategy.

This customer had expanded operations and was about to double their capacity. Although their conveyors were running well, they didn’t want to risk unnecessary downtime. “So, they told us, ‘We would like to avoid the ‘break/fix’ approach and move forward to a total preventative maintenance culture,’” says Mejia. “I was

thrilled to hear that our goal and vision were aligned.”

To meet the demands of the petfood industry and address the requested services, AHS is increasing their service capacity to assist processors in proactively mitigating issues and minimizing downtime. The OEM will be establishing a service hub and parts depot on the West Coast, enabling localization, onsite inspections, and comprehensive preventive maintenance by qualified technicians with a local presence.

The OEM is now offering long term service agreements that will comprehensively cover all aspects of maintenance, so the petfood processor can focus on their core business with confidence in the performance of their conveyors.

With over 150 years of combined experience, we help you find your individual packaging solution. Over the years, we have delivered highly versatile and innovative machines operating at high production rates for the international pet food industry. In addition, we help you meet global environmental challenges without compromising on performance. If

Industry Profile

Minebea Intec

Minebea Intec is a leading manufacturer of industrial weighing and inspection technologies. Their mission is to increase the reliability, safety and efficiency of our customers’ production processes and they provide high-quality products, solutions and services that ensure a high level of safety.

Minebea Intec’s excellent performance is based on 150 years of experience, distinct German Quality and continuous investments in the development of innovative technologies. Their strong global presence and an extensive network of distribution partners ensure that our customers can rely on top Minebea Intec quality – anytime, anywhere. Their goal is to set strong standards in all areas of the company, which is reflected in the brand slogan, ‘the true measure’.

By purchasing Minebea Intec products, customers all over the world are choosing more than just innovative technologies: they are also choosing top-quality service performance and comprehensive support throughout the entire life cycle of their product. The company’s aim is to fulfil customers’ requirements no matter what the industry, and to be the first port of call for weighing and inspection technologies.

In Petfood

Ensuring products are safe and contamination-free has always been the most important premise for the pet food industry. However, new trends in pet food production are forcing manufacturers to be flexible whilst complying with regulations and sustaining supply. With its broad product portfolio of weighing and inspection solutions, Minebea Intec offers manufacturers the right solution for future-proofing their business.

Metal detectors, Vision systems, X-ray inspection equipment as well as software are used at

several points in pet food production to exclude contamination by foreign bodies made of metal, stones, plastic or other materials. This starts even before processing, where the basic ingredients are examined for possible contamination. During later processing steps, such as mixing the ingredients, product contamination can be caused by rubbing from containers or machines and finally, packaging is also checked by inspection solutions. Dynamic Checkweighers such as Flexus® and Synus® are equipped with electromagnetic force compensated load cells for most accurate weighing which in turn can also automatically adjust fill levels to reduce give-away.

Minebea strongly invest in developing Leading Technologies and new products. To ensure that these investments truly support our customers in optimising the safety, reliability and efficiency of their processes, we encourage and facilitate a company culture of systematic and sustainable creativity and innovation.

At the basis of this culture is our attitude of putting customers at the center of our thinking and acting. Through methods such as Customer Process Monitoring, they obtain a clear understanding of their current and future needs. The process of finding innovative solutions for fulfilling these needs, includes both technical research as well as applying structured creativity. In many phases of this process, Minebea involve internal and external specialists from a variety of disciplines, partners and customers. The company’s well established Quality Management System provides us with the necessary procedures and tools for effectively managing our innovation process and ensuring that they fulfill the requirements regarding time-to-market and returnon-investment.

COMPLETE PLANT SOLUTIONS

FROM START TO FINISH, WE ENSURE YOUR PROJECTS DEVELOP SEAMLESSLY

UNDERSTANDING YOU. STANDING BY YOU. NEVER STANDING STILL. We provide complete plant solutions for dry pet food production to your exact specifications and with industry-leading cost efficiency by leveraging our extensive processing expertise and experience. By harnessing the power of automation and digitalization, we ensure continuous innovation to keep you at the forefront. AND with the industry’s most trusted services, we are always there for you.

ANDRITZ FEED & BIOFUEL andritz.com/feed-and-biofuel-en

For more information, visit our website.

Industry Training

Alpha Academy Petfood Making Online Course

This Petfood Making Online Course Level 2, organised by Alpha Academy - an online learning platform that provides one of the best e-learning experience, is an intermediate course for enthusiasts or petfood professionals who want to make healthy petfood. This course is designed to provide those who complete it with different petfood making options that fit the nutritional needs of their pets. By purchasing the course you get 12 month

access, allowing you to study at your own pace as you gain the full CPD accredited qualification. Even though you can work through the course and modules at your own pace, Alpha Academy does still have experienced instructors who provide full weekday support and assistance with any problems that a student may have. At the end of the course, you will sit an online multiple-choice test which is assessed automatically and immediately, giving you instant results and knowledge on whether you have been successful. If you are successful with the course you can order a Accredited Certificate of Achievement at an additional cost of UK£19 for a PDF copy, UK£29 for an original print copy or UK£39 for both.

The full course should take approximately 13 hours and 55 minutes to complete, and costs UK£319 to access.

Troubleshooting

Vitamins and other heat liable ingredients are a topic which is rarely covered. Your product has minimums and usually a test is made to verify the level of each vitamin post-process in relation to the included level pre-process. The difference is the loss if any. Adjustments made to get into range. Note this test would be under the conditions used in the process, vary anything and the results can change. So, tests should be as close to real production settings as possible. There is some published data on expected losses at temperatures which can assist in getting in the ball park. What can vary the results? Basically, the process conditions and since we are discussing heat liable ingredients this will be the main factor. Extrusion is by heat mainly generated by friction which can be decreased by increasing moisture or oil levels during the process for example. Reduce and the friction goes way up and when factoring in possible screw speed and design changes friction can be high. Steam injection or thermal heat also would be a big effect on vitamin retention but with atmospheric conditioners about 100oC is max and typically when making petfood the extruder reaches in the 125oC area.

Reviewing a few as examples of loss at temperatures, riboflavin 98% retained at 93oC, 93% at 123oC and 91% at 143oC. Vitamin A cross-linked 90% retained at 93oC, 75% at 123oC and 62% at 143oC. This shows what is typically expected, a gradual decrease as temperature increases. All systems vary and thus testing to verify is in order. It should be noted that again running conditions can change results. Testing years ago charted running conditions, feeding results and costs of wear and utilities to see if a sweet spot to make products at that time existed. Turned out to be between about 22 to 32 percent moisture during extrusion gave the best results. Too low moisture was too much frictional heat while too high of moisture retarded cook thus decreased the feeding results. The wear and operational costs were reduced from low moisture extrusion when operating in the mid to upper twenties moisture levels.

The dryer is another area of concern as it heats the kibble over a time period and temperature is the factor of concern. Again, depends on the dryer design. The ability to control airflow and temperature along the length of the dyer and relating this to the moisture in the product at any given time creates some special drying effects. When the kibble just enters the dryer, it is high in moisture and higher air or dryer temperature removes the free water or surface water easily. This free water in or near the surface on the kibble has the same cooling effect as sweat on your forehead, a cooling effect. The kibble is not overheated and as it progresses through the dryer the temperatures are decreased to avoid over heating the kibbles if this is desired. It should be noted normally these dryer designs are a bit larger for this effect. Typically, the designed goal was to keep the product at under 80oC through the dryer. Seems to be a magical number for acceptable survival of probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, carotenoids and other heat liable products.

Previously on Troubleshooting...

1. Density

An examination of product density and its relationship with moisture levels, heating, cooling feeder screw rate and automation.

2. Non-uniform and rough appearance

A guide to understanding the science involved in improving the art of making products of all the same size.

3. Extrusion dies

This article takes a look at aspects of the process including high, medium and low shear as well the adjustments required when producing feed for small mammals.

4. Dryers

The dryer is without a doubt one of the machines in the system which greatly impacts the bottom line.

5. The extruder barrel - Part 1

Forming extruders are used for some select products – thus this part of the discussion centres on single and twin designs.

6. Cook in the extruder barrel – part 2

As discussed last month, the extruder barrel has a number of functions, but the main goal is to finalise the cook, yield the desired shape with the density target.

7. Coating

The coating process has a few areas of importance, with this edition of ‘Troubleshooting’ exploring the most important of these.

8. Expanded cat food

Dry expanded cat food production is similar to dog food production, but there are some differences, with this edition exploring a choice selection of these.

9. Extrusion during operation

This month we discuss steam input into the conditioner. During the water addition process, the steam is usually in the two-bar range.

Our wide range of value-added services and understanding of production and market challenges worldwide, allows us to find the right technology and the most cost-effective solutions for your business in Livestock, Aquaculture/ Aquafeed and Pet industries.

Offers customized development, formulation and manufacturing services for efficient and effective Vitamin and Mineral Premixes, Additives, Farmac, Organic Acids, Pigments, Organic Bypass Fats, etc with the highest quality standards and according to the needs of its customers in animal nutrition, with exclusive Technical, Professional and Personalized Consulting worldwide.

PRODUCTION

Innovations this month

May 2024

This month’s Production Showcase section features equipment and ingredients that will help in the production of petfood, taking you right from the recipe book, right up until until your product is ready to leave your factory door.

If you would like your product or service to appear on this page in a future edition of International Petfood magazine, then please contact us at editorial@perendale.co.uk

Peamutt Balls by F Duerr & Sons

F Duerr & Sons will launch its first variant of its household favourite brand Peamutt Butter this month – introducing on-the-go dog treat ‘Peamutt Balls’.

Designed to be a tasty snack or a training treat for dogs, the new affordable Peamutt Balls will be hitting ASDA stores at the end of April. The new line will also be available on Amazon from the same date, followed by a listing in Sainsbury’s later this spring.

The high protein dog snacks are made from peanut butter, as well as additional peanuts, chia seeds and apple puree. The balls are also grain, gluten-free and palm oil free. Peamutt Butter first launched to market eight years ago, today it is ranked the UK’s number 1 peanut butter for dogs, this new launch follows 63 percent year on year growth (2022-2023), the brand is now worth UK£2 million retail value.

www.peamutt.co.uk

FOCUS

Paladin 3000 by Andritz

The authentic and sturdy Paladin design is constructed with a balanced twin drive system, where the transmission consists of a combination of V-belts and a toothed belt. The design of the main shaft and rotor allows maximum torque to be applied in the pelleting section. These features make the Paladin pellet mill range universally adaptable machines, ensuring that maximum reliability is provided under all working conditions. The twin drive ensures smooth operation with low levels of vibrations.

Furthermore, the twin drive provides a symmetrical load on the main shaft. The symmetrical load is provided by two intermediate shafts driving the main toothed belt pulley and ensures a long lifetime for the main shaft. The die speed is chosen based on the application. If the die speed needs to be adjusted, the easily accessible V-belt pulleys can be changed.

www.mypetfood.

info/xxIM

Twin-screw extruder by Buhler

Buhler’s multifunctional PolyTwin, EcoTwin and CompacTwin twin-screw extruders offer flexible, reliable 24/7 processing for your breakfast cereals, food ingredients, petfood and aqua feed products. Buhler’s patented ejection unit ensures that the hydraulic unit can eject even strongly entrenched screws. This eliminates the need to disassemble the machine and the conveyor pipes, saving you time and getting production back up and running fast. The cutter can be adjusted during operation, helping you to consistently achieve a high quality of your end product. It can also be moved to one side for easier control, access and cleaning.

The two-stage preconditioner separates the mixing zone from the retention zone. This ensures optimal, intensive mixing at high screw speeds, as well as gentle retention across a narrow time range at a low screw speed.

www.buhlergroup.com

Creamy Dog Treat by West Paw

West Paw announced a new nut butter recipe has been added to company’s line of mess-free, squeezable Creamy Dog Treats: Peanut Butter, Kelp and Spirulina.

These simple, plant-based dog treats have been a great on-thego option for pet parents, delivered in a squeezable, mess-free pouch that can be used as a treat on its own, or in combination with a variety of West Paw puzzle and treat toys. The new recipe, Peanut Butter, Kelp and Spirulina, brings a variety of valuable benefits to dogs and is made with sustainably sourced, fully traceable ingredients, as well as organic palm oil, that is aligned with West Paw’s overall mission. Specifically, the Kelp offers great antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, while nutrient rich Spirulina promotes healthy cell generation and boosts the immune system. Fresh, high quality peanut butter is rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins B&E, niacin and is a flavour dogs love. All ingredients are verified by the Non-GMO Project.

www.westpaw.com

SEE YOUR PRODUCTS IN THIS MAGAZINE

If you produce a product that you think we should feature in International Petfood magazine, please get in touch

To be considered for inclusion in the magazine please;

Email: editorial@perendale.co.uk

Include 75 words about the product along with a high resolution image and a web link to more information about the product in your email

MT – Paddle Coating Machine by PLP Systems

The coating system MT is a complete machine able to mix in line pellets, kibbles, and other granulated products with additives such as liquid enzymes, fat, digest, aromas, oil, medicines, vitamins etc.

The machine is used in combination with the powerful sprayer MicroSMOG and guarantees a perfect coating of the product. Paddles are tiltable for a better performance of the machine.

The system is composed of:

• Buffer hopper with load cells to keep the product level constant

• Weighing screw to detect the number of products to be coated

• Systems for the preparation and dosage of the liquid additive

• Coater MT complete with two shafts and adjustable paddles to mix and hold the product in suspension

• Motorized sprayers type Micro Smog.

• Electronic device used to identify the instantaneous flow of the product and to determine the right amount of additive set by the operator, increasing or decreasing according to the product flow rate.

www.plp-systems.com

2024 May

7-10

Interzoo 2024 Nuremberg, Germany www.interzoo.com

22-23

Pet World Arabia Dubai, Dubai www.petworldarabia.com

2024 June

Industry Events

14-16

Pet South America 2024 Sao Paulo, Brazil www.home.petsa.com.br

4-5

Petcare Innovation Europe Berlin, Germany www.petcareinnovationeurope.com 10-12

Animal Health, Nutrition, and Technology Innovation USA Boston, Lincolnshire, USA www.animalhealtheventusa.com

27-28

Pet Food Pet Forum 2024 Guadalajara, Mexico www.petfoodforumevents.com

2024 August 14-15

SuperZoo 2024 Las Vegas, USA www.superzoo.org

2024 September

24-26

PPMA 2024 Nec, Birmingham, Uk www.ppmashow.co.uk

25-28

Pet Izmir 2024 Konak/İzmir, Türkiye www. petizmir.net/en

29- 1

PATS 2024 Telford, England www.patshow.co.uk

2024 October

7- 9

10th Nordic Pet Food Conference Ålgård, Norway www.nordicpetfood.com

9-12

Global Pet Expo İstanbul, Türkiye www.petfuari.com

30-1

Petfair SE Asia Bangkok, Thailand www.petfair-sea.com

Victam Asia and Health & Nutrition Asia 2024

The Victam Asia and Health and Nutrition Asia concluded last month with a record-breaking attendance of 8,722 trade visitors from 73 countries. The events, held in co-location from March 12 – 14 at BITEC in Bangkok.

The event welcomed 315 international exhibitors from the animal feed, petfood, aqua feed, as well as the rice, grain and flour processing industries. This year’s event showcased an array of innovations and facilitated key industry connections, underscoring its role as Asia’s most comprehensive exhibition for these sectors. VICTAM Asia and GRAPAS Asia experienced an unprecedented 42.5 percent increase in visitors from the last edition in 2022. This growth indicates the growing interest and importance of the event in the sector. The Health and Nutrition Asia 2024 edition welcomed a professional group of over 200 buyers, manufacturing representatives, and farm owners

Tobias Diener, of Agromatic AG, Switzerland is being interviewed by Roger Gilbert at Victam Asia 2024 about the range of sensors and other equipment his company produces for grain storage systems that help processors maintain the quality of their stored feed and food grains. The final quality of food and/ or feedstuff is determined by the management of the grains as they leave the storage stage. Video on MAGTv at the Milling and Grain website

Alapala team at Victam 2024. Alapala Machine builds turnkey plants of any desired capacity and is one of the top 1000 exporters in Turkey, exporting 95% of its production. It has a considerable number of turnkey references in over 100 countries in all the 4 continents including developed and industrial countries such as Germany, France and U.S.A.

from Thailand and international markets such as India and Korea, demonstrating the event’s significance on a global scale. Additionally, the presence of more than 200 C-level executives and embassy dignitaries further highlighted the event’s positioning as an important gathering for industry leaders. 141 speakers from 14 countries provided content for more than 45 sessions onsite on subjects ranging from fish-farming nutrition and technology, feed innovation and precision animal farming to challenges and opportunities in genetic improvement of species.

Top-tier attendance

This edition’s success marks a significant milestone in the industry’s recovery from the Corona period, showcasing resilience and renewed post-pandemic growth. The exhibition was honoured to host a diverse array of industry leaders and decisionmakers, including top executives from over 40 leading companies such as AMP International, Bogasari, Cargill, and CPF Worldwide. The organisation also welcomed ASEAN investors, presidents of relevant associations, ambassadors, and university professors. During the exhibition, visitors could also attend a high-quality and extensive conference and technical seminar program. A total of 141 speakers from 14 countries delivered compelling presentations on a wide range of topics, ranging from the future of livestock feed to innovations in shrimp farming, feed safety, and milling technology. The Victam Foundation hosted the 3rd International Feed Technology Congress (IFTC) with Wageningen University. Chairman was professor Leo den Hartog and dr. Mai Anh Khoa (Thai Nguyen University – Vietnam), dr. Nazri Nayan (Universiti Putra Malaysia), dr. Pairat Srichana (CP Group), and dr. Thomas van der Poel (WUR) spoke about the developments and challenges in the ASEAN feed industry. Another notable feature of this year’s event was the inaugural H&N Start-up Pitching session, made possible through collaboration with Kasetsart University Veterinary Alumni Association and Kasetsart University, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing and supporting emerging talent in the field.

Andritz is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, automation solutions and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, the metalworking and steel industries, as well as environmental and green energyfocused sectors.

Yigit Bastug, Mysilo. With 40 years of experience in the branch of steel manufacturing, Mysilo produces grain storage and conveying equipments and since its establishment.

Jose Burgos of STIF and Yassine Abbad, Tapco with Roger

Sebastiaan Van Djik and Martijn Van Djik of KSE. KSE specializes in dosing & weighing systems and smart automation software for the animal nutrition industry.

Anna Vega and Rajeev Iyer, Grain Technik. Grain Technik is a company specialised in the field of refrigeration technology serving grain milling and storage companies by supplying high quality grain chilling machines & post-harvest solutions.

Nikolaus Jungbluth from Addcon

Niek Reichgelt and Panadda Kongma of VNU Asia Pacific

Peng Li, Asia Regional Director of the North American Renderers Association (NARA) with Roger and Tuti

Perendale’s Conferences

Perendale Publishers was fortunate to host fours conference at the event. All our conferences had massive attendance and readers can except a detailed report on each of the conferences in the upcoming edition of publications.

1. Build My Feedmill: Explored advancements in feed industry innovations and operations, allowing companies to showcase their latest solutions.

2. Flour Milling Maximised: Another interesting conference, organised was the “Flour Milling Maximized”, where the continuous transformation of the wheat processing industry was discussed by Adi Witono (Bogasari), Peer Hansen (Eye-Grain Aps.), Sirichai Songsermpong (Kasetsart University) among others.

3. Aquatic Asia: Aquatic Asia was the archway to bridging our knowledge gaps and forging new opportunities to enhance the key areas of the biosciences underpinning fish and shrimp nutrition and health; a South East Asian forum where academic, governance and industry excellence can converge in the hub of aquaculture growth.

Petfood and Aquafeed Extrusion Conference: Petfood & Aquafeed Extrusion Conference was co-organised by VIV Worldwide, International Aquafeed, International Petfood and Dr Mian Riaz of Texas A&M University, the one-day conference featured a variety of industry expert speakers delivering innovative presentations on how users can make the best use of their extrusion machinery and aqua feed systems.

Symaga’s stance as a major reliable manufacturer is founded on the number of silo installations delivered across 150 countries

After the conference there was a greet and meet between the Thai feed millers and exhibitors, where millers could address their needs and challenges in their feed mills. The “Networking Night” at VICTAM Asia successfully brought together over 250 industry professionals, including leadership from the Thai Pet Product Industry Association (TPIA) and more than 40 media representatives from Thailand and abroad. This event served as a platform for attendees to connect with leading exhibitors and discuss the latest technological advancements in the livestock industry, demonstrating the significant interest and engagement across the global community. The next edition of VICTAM Asia and GRAPAS Asia together with Health & Nutrition Asia is scheduled for March 10 – 12, 2026, at BITEC, Bangkok

With the Wenger team

With Edward Manchester and Rajan Soralathan, Ecolex Animal

Roger Ubags, Area Sales Manager, Van Aarsen International. Roger was a speaker for the Build My Feed Mill conference as well.

Zhengchang team

Niek Reichgelt and Panadda Kongma of VNU Asia Pacific

At the Symaga stand.

Frank Pfeuffer of Pfeuffer GmbH. Pfeuffer is a manufacturer of quality control products for the grain and seed processing industries.

Sven Konings, TSC Silos with Roger

Zhengchang team

Robbert Veenendaal and Hennie Pieterse of Almex. Almex has been one of the leading manufacturers of conveyor belt vulcanizing equipment for over 60 years.

Johann Sailer, Statec Binder with Tuti. Statec Binder develops, designs and assembles all bagging machines and palletizing systems

Thomas M. Faulkner, Senior Project manager at VNU Europe

Global Pet Expo 2024

Celebrated record-breaking attendance

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) hosted the 20th annual Global Pet Expo on March 20-22, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. The pet industry’s premier event showcased a sold-out show floor with over 1100 exhibiting companies spanning 343,500 net square feet of exhibit space.

Total attendance reached nearly 20,000 attendees representing over 85 countries at the event known for delivering the latest in pet products, business connections and world-class education. The show, hosted at the Orange County Convention Center, brings in millions of dollars to the Orlando Metropolitan area each year, with Global Pet Expo 2024 delivering over US$45 million in local economic impact. Global pet Expo also gives back to the local pet community through its longstanding partnership with the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando to collect product donations after each event. This year, over 70 booths were donated to help serve the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando’s mission.

“It was exhilarating to see the pet industry come together at Global Pet Expo with record-braking attendance. We spent an incredible week discovering new pet products hitting the market this year and celebrating the latest innovations our industry has to offer,” said APPA President and CEO Peter Scott.

New Pet Product Innovations

The event showcased thousands of the latest pet products and innovations across trending consumer categories, from smart technology to at-home wellness solutions and sustainable products. The New Product Showcase displayed over 1000 products across 13 product categories, with the winners of the 14th Annual Awards announced during Global Pet Expo’s ‘Best in Show’ Awards. VetChip, a biotechnology company dedicated to improving animal health and welfare through pioneering technology that monitors, analyses and detects pet health issues, was selected as the grand prize winner of the 2024 Purina Pet care Innovation grand Prize. The company was one of five pet startups from across the US, Canada and Australia that pitched their businesses to a panel of judges during Global Pet Expo, including APPA’s Peter Scott.

Enhancements to the Show Experience

Global Pet Expo 2024 unveiled new activations at the event to elevate the attendee experience. Entrances to the show floor were redesigned to create an immersive sensory experience upon arriving at the event. The new Innovation in Motion Experience revealed a modernised New Products Showcase display, Spotlight Stage and Think Tank. The show floor also expanded to feature new specialty areas, including The Modern Pet, the Supplier Pavilion and the Sustainability section, in partnership with the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC).

World-Class Education

The Global Learning Series delivered over 50 hours of education across four days of sessions featuring topics shaping business decisions in 2024. “Participation in the Global Learning Series sessions neared 2000 attendees this year,” said PIDA President Celeste Powers. “The excitement during the sessions and throughout the show floor was palpable, and the entire Global Pet Expo team was inspired seeing months of planning transform into a fantastic event for the pet industry.”

Unprecedented Media and Influencer Attendance

Media and influencer engagement with Global Pet Expo 2024 was record-breaking, with nearly 300 members of the media and influencers attending the show. This year, Global Pet Expo will be honoured by Trade Show Executive as one of the top fastest-growing shows in the US for 2023 at the Trade Show Executive Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, May 8-10, 2024. The show was ranked in the Fastest 50 By Exhibiting Companies and Next 50 By Total Attendance and By Net Square Feet.

Global Pet Expo 2025 will take place on March 26-28, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Ms.Haidee Wang

Tel: +86 138 1775 2961

E-mail: haidee.wang@globusevents.com

Mr.Philippe Verstuyft (based in Europe)

Tel: +31 6 1517 3564

E-mail: philippe@vnueurope.com

Ms.Chanitprapa Menasuta (based in Thailand)

Tel: +66 (0) 8 1801 7464

E-mail: chanitprapa@vnuasiapacific.com

Only the best for your horse.

You would like to know more?

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The Market Place lists leading manufacturers of equipment used for the production of petfood. To be included in the Market Place please contact Tuti Tan at tutit@perendale.co.uk.

Bagging systems

FAWEMA

+49 2263 716-0 mypetfood.info/zsJa

PAYPER

+34 973 21 60 40 mypetfood.info/payper2

Bulk storage

Silo Construction & Engineering +32 51723128 mypetfood.info/vikv

Symaga +34 926640475 mypetfood.info/HUNG

TSC Silos +31 543 473979 mypetfood.info/Ofwt

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 mypetfood.info/Rkxo

Computer software

Inteqnion

+31 543 49 44 66 mypetfood.info/WUoK

KSE

+31 (0)497383818 mypetfood.info/ERrL

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 mypetfood.info/Rkxo

Coolers & driers

Dosing

Extru-Tech

+785 284 2153 mypetfood.info/fViL

FrigorTec GmbH

+49 7520 91482-0 mypetfood.info/Ucfl

FAMSUN

+86 85828888 mypetfood.info/UXax

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 mypetfood.info/Rkxo

KSE

+31 (0)497383818 mypetfood.info/ERrL

PAYPER

+34 973 21 60 40 mypetfood.info/payper2

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 mypetfood.info/Rkxo

Elevator buckets

4B Braime

+44 113 246 1800 mypetfood.info/Rjhf

Tapco Inc

+1 314 739 9191 mypetfood.info/ucab

Elevator & conveyor components

Equipment

Extruders

4B Braime +44 113 246 1800 mypetfood.info/Rjhf

Tapco Inc +1 314 739 9191 mypetfood.info/ucab

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 mypetfood.info/Rkxo

Dinnissen Process Technology +31 (0)77 467 35 55 mypetfood.info/LfyW

Engineering Systems & Equipment Inc

+1 (620) 306-4100 mypetfood.info/pKTO

IDAH

+866 39 902701 mypetfood.info/bZzu

Feed nutrition

Ynsect

+33 164 93 71 00 mypetfood.info/Ynsect

Zinpro +33 1800-445-6145 mypetfood.info/Zinpro

Feed companies

Dinnissen Process Technology +31 (0)77 467 35 55 mypetfood.info/LfyW

Phytobiotics +49 6123702680 mypetfood.info/Phytobiotics2

PLP

+39 05 23 89 16 29 mypetfood.info/EeJu

Feed Mill Automation

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 mypetfood.info/Rkxo

KSE

+31 (0)497383818 mypetfood.info/ERrL

Grain handling systems

Symaga +34 926640475 mypetfood.info/HUNG

Tapco Inc +1 314 739 9191 mypetfood.info/ucab Hammermills

Dinnissen

Dinnissen Process Technology +31 (0)77 467 35 55 mypetfood.info/LfyW

+34 973 21 60 40 mypetfood.info/payper2

Dinnissen

FAMSUN +86 85828888 mypetfood.info/UXax

Vetagro +39 0522 186 1500 mypetfood.info/Vetagro2

vibronet-Gräf GmbH & Co.KG +49 6441 62031 mypetfood.info/hXmp

Zheng Chang +86 2164184200 mypetfood.info/TrCj

(0)497383818 mypetfood.info/ERrL

products Minebea Intec +44 121 779 3131 mypetfood.info/APqt

the interview

Kees Aarts CEO and Founder, Protix, Netherlands

Kees is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of Protix. Kees is a frequent speaker at international forums, and he is widely recognised as a visionary and innovator in the food and feed industry thanks to his work in reimagining global food supply chains. He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Future Council on Food Security and Agriculture. Prior to founding Protix, Kees started his career as an advisor at McKinsey on R&D innovation and business development. Kees holds a MSc title in Aerospace Engineering.

You have a rich career in the industry. What initially led you to this field?

I have always had an interest in biology and the natural world. In 2009, I conceived the idea of creating more sustainable feed with insect ingredients and started working on this with a partner. We had a big vision, right from the outset.

We were convinced that insect ingredients could offer a more sustainable food system, but we had to pretty much create the whole industry from scratch. We first had to identify the right insect which turned out to be the black soldier fly. We invested a lot of time talking to scientists, feed producers, farmers and potential investors to understand the benefits and feasibility of this.

In 2010 we secured considerable funding and that’s how we started with our black soldier fly products. There was no technical or legal framework for the breeding and processing of insects. We had to establish the right conditions, machinery and methodologies. We had to make changes to legislation, and we initiated and co-founded IPIFF – the International Forum for Insects for Food and Feed. As hard-working pioneers, we persistently built an industry that didn’t yet exist. We are happy to have won a raft of awards along the way in recognition of our achievements and determination.

Our mission is to change the feed and food system so that it is back in balance with nature. That calls for a collaborative approach not just by working together on formulations that deliver proven benefits, but also in research and education and providing inspiration to further unlock the vast possibilities of insect products. We actively take part in myriad studies with universities and customers, and also work with our customers to generate scientific data that help pet owners to make informed choices. We believe that our current leading position in the industry is thanks to our partnership mindset.

Could you elaborate on the journey of Protix and insect ingredients within the petfood segment, particularly highlighting the evolution from initial scientific studies to the current market presence?

Petfood was a natural segment to start investigating for a couple of reasons. Firstly, almost every animal, including pets, consumes insects at some point in their life cycle. Secondly, pet owners increasingly express concern for the planet’s future, driving them to make sustainable changes. Black soldier fly ingredients have been proven to significantly reduce the environmental impact compared to ingredients

used traditionally. Multiple Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) show this.

Our starting point was to first examine the feasibility of incorporating our insect ingredients into petfood. We needed to determine whether our insect meal, oil and puree were compatible in formulations and could provide the right nutritional profile. We carried out fundamental studies on the nutritional value and acceptance by animals. These studies, conducted independently or in collaboration with partners such as the Wageningen University, affirm the palatability for dogs and cats and demonstrate high nutritional and functional value when incorporated in petfood.

Our science-based approach continues to guide Protix today, with a focus now on the health benefits of insect ingredients. We are delving deeper into various health areas, including oral health, gut health, skin condition, and beyond. Black soldier fly ingredients offer a delicious array of potential health benefits and opportunities for pet food manufacturers and we look forward to further unleashing the endless potential of insect ingredients.

Can you discuss some of the innovative applications of insect ingredients in pet food and animal nutrition, and how these products contribute to overall health?

Insect ingredients are being included across an everexpanding range of pet products such as wet and dry food, and (functional) treats. Numerous studies report exciting health benefits. A recently published canine oral health study shows that volatile sulphur compound (VSC)-producing bacteria in dental plaque are reduced and oral microbiota is positively modulated when incorporating our black soldier fly protein, ProteinX. The upshot is less dental decay and dogs with sweeter-smelling breath too.

Another innovation is the launch of fresh PureeX, an appetising fresh insect meat that adds new dimensions to freshness. Thanks to straightforward rapid processing with a minimum number of steps, fresh PureeX is an ingredient which is low in biogenic amines, a commonly used measure of freshness. In two studies with PureeX, researchers found a stronger antioxidant activity compared to commonly-used pet food ingredients. In the competitive pet market where consumers want to keep their pets healthier for longer, the higher antioxidant activity of fresh PureeX delivers a potential added benefit. These are just a few examples of how we continue to lead with new products and applications.

Could you elaborate on the environmental benefits of using insect ingredients compared to traditional feed and food sources, particularly in terms of land use, water consumption, and carbon emissions reduction?

Our ethos right from the outset was to reduce the environmental footprint by developing insect ingredients as a viable alternative. The independent German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL) has conducted Life Cycle Assessments on our products. The latest results, just published show that, per kilo, ProteinX accounts for 78 percent fewer CO2 emissions than poultry meal, LipidX uses 99 percent less land than poultry fat and PureeX uses 99.8 percent less water than poultry meat.

The assessments were carried out with our plant running at full capacity so we can be confident these are not theoretical calculations. We are achieving these sustainability figures every day. Every kilogram of our products used in pet food, animal feed, or organic fertiliser represents a tangible step towards a healthier planet, for Protix, its customers, and for all of us.

We will continue to work with industry stakeholders to further reduce the footprint of innovative products that are good for pets and good for the planet.

Looking ahead, what are Protix’s future plans and ambitions in terms of scaling up production, expanding market reach, and further advancing research and development in the field of insectbased nutrition for both pets and livestock?

We are very excited to be scaling up our production internationally. We recently secured funding of up to EU€37 million from the European Investment Bank to establish a new plant in Poland. We have also entered into a joint venture with Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies. This is a landmark for the insect industry as a whole and will help us to accelerate our mission to bring the food system back into balance with nature. Research and collaboration are in our DNA, and we will continue to forge strong partnerships to unlock the full potential of the pet food and livestock markets.

THE INDUSTRY FACES

Nulo Pet Foods announces new executive

Nulo Pet Foods, a leader in performance nutrition, has appointed industry veteran Roger Lund to spearhead its global business expansion efforts. With a focus on key growth regions in Asia, Europe and Latin America, Lund brings over 20 years of experience in international sales, supply chain management and procurement from renowned brands such as Solid Gold, Nature’s Variety and Mars.

Lund’s expertise lies in optimising supply chains, reducing costs and ensuring regulatory compliance, all of which are crucial for expanding Nulo’s presence in new markets.

Michael Linda, Nulo’s founder and CEO, expressed confidence in Lund’s ability to accelerate growth, particularly in Asia where Lund has previously led successful market entries.

Acknowledging Lund’s talent for building strong relationships across diverse cultures, Dr Greg Aldrich, Nulo’s chief operating officer, highlighted Lund’s role in strategically implementing Null products across various distribution channels and retail platforms worldwide.

Nulo offers a comprehensive range of premium Petfoods, including grain-free and ancient grain kibble, freeze-dried raw, wet foods and supplements. The company’s commitment to quality and innovation aligns with the evolving preferences of pet parents globally.

As Nulo sets it sights on international expansion, Lund’s appointment underscores the company’s dedication to delivering nutritious and innovative petfood solutions to pets worldwide.

New appointments to strengthen Alphia’s leadership team

Alphia, a leading national manufacturer of petfood in the USA, announced the appointment of Cade Culver as Chief Growth and Transformation Officer and Jack Reid as Chief People Officer, effective immediately. In these roles, Cade will be responsible for driving business growth and implementing transformative strategies within the company and Jack will play a critical role in fostering a positive workplace culture and shaping the Alphia team.

“As we continue to expand the leadership team, we are excited to welcome both Cade and Jack to Alphia, marking an exciting step forward for the company,” said David McLain, Chief Executive Officer and President of Alphia. “With their extensive experience and dedication to driving growth and innovation within the petfood industry, I am confident these new team members will help advance the company forward.

As a seasoned leader with more than 16 years of experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, Cade Culver is well-equipped to navigate and excel in the dynamic petfood industry. Before his tenure at Alphia, he served as President at Lassonate Pappas & Company, Chief Commercial Officer at Hearthside Food Solutions, and Vice President & General Manager of Dole Diversified North America. In these roles, he was responsible for engineering, R&D, sales, business development and customer service.

APPA names petfood leaders to board

American Pet Products Association has named Kevin Frick with PetWise Brands and Josh Patterson with Vital Essentials to its board of directors.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announces two new board members for 2024: Kevin Fick, former CEO and current board member of PetWise Brands, and Josh Patterson, vice president of sales North America for Vital Essentials, a Carnivore Meat Company.

“On behalf of the entire APPA board, I would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulations to our new directors,” said Tommy Baroody, chair of the APPA board and vice president of sales at Nestlé Purina North America. “Kevin and Josh bring extensive leadership experience and industry expertise to their new positions, and we look forward to the insights they will bring to the association.”

Fick, who previously served on the APPA board of directors, brings 25 years of pet industry experience to the association. Earlier in his career, Fick was the senior vice president of sales and marketing for Central Garden & Pet before becoming the CEO of PetWise Brands. In addition to his current seat on the board of PetWise Brands, he serves on the JoyBound board of directors, an organisation dedicated to helping pets find loving parents and homes.

Patterson has spent his entire career in the pet industry, starting as a part-time retail associate at Petsense by Tractor Supply. After 12 years with Petsense, he began working on the manufacturing side of the industry, where he has since held leadership roles at NuloPet Food, PetSmart and PetPlate. Patterson brings expertise in omnichannel business models, retail marketing and merchandising and sales team leadership.

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