petfood pro 2/2022

International Magazine May 2022 ISSN 2628-5851 

Technology & Marketing 2/22 

Ingredients: Trusting Suppliers, Stress Relief, Humic Acids for Gut Health, Wheat Textures 

Processing: Customized Solutions for BARF, Safe Processing, Cutting, Grinding and Mixing 

Packaging: Perfect Packs, Fastening Solutions, Bags and Pouches, Sustainable Sealing 

Marketing: Interzoo 2022, Insect Breeding, Competence in Packaging, Too Much Protein?

Does Licking Mean Liking? 

Pet parents are more likely to repurchase a food their cats enjoy. That’s why cat food 

palatability is so important to both pet food manufacturers and pet parents. 

Typical two-bowl or one-bowl trials are a valuable way to evaluate food preference and 

acceptance. Additionally, AFB International wanted to develop new methods to assess cat 

food enjoyment that would represent what a pet parent might experience at home. 

To learn more about how these behavior measures can provide insight to product 

performance, download our white paper “Cats’ Eating Enjoyment Informs Preference for 

Food Components”. 

Argentina | Australia | Brazil | China | Mexico | Netherlands | United States | afbinternational.com

EDITORIAL 

The World of Pet Care 

Following the reduction of serious cases 

and increased vaccination figures, it 

seems that the Covid pandemic is coming 

to an end. This is especially good news 

for trade fairs and conferences. Whilst last 

year’s Interzoo Digital in June was good, 

the reduced sized Zoomark International 

in November was better, now the return 

to a full sized Interzoo in Nuremberg 

this month is a relief to everyone in the 

industry. There is a lot to catch up on! 

Interzoo 2022 will have around 1300 

exhibitors from sixty countries. Many of 

them are related to pet food, either as 

equipment or raw material suppliers, or as 

specialist food manufacturers themselves. 

Almost half of the products on display will 

be for cats and dogs, but small mammals, 

rodents and reptiles, birds and fish are 

also well represented. There are exhibitors 

related to accessories for pets, such 

as cages and terraria, toys and snacks, 

collars and leads, as well as clothing and 

grooming. The full range of options has to 

be seen to be believed! 

Visitors are trade specialists from all 

over the world including suppliers, 

manufacturers and trading outlets for 

pet food, but also veterinarians and pet 

nutritionists. 

The petfood sector is one of few to 

have actually profited from the global 

lockdown situation, as more individuals 

and families have found extra time and 

capacity to care for a pet. As people 

found themselves in their home office, 

pets became companions and partners; 

this has largely continued afterwards, 

although with some exceptions. Since the 

market is growing, innovations have been 

fuelled and new products developed. I 

expect we will discover many of them at 

Interzoo and in the months to come. 

Some of the main topics in petfood reflect 

on society in general and can also be found 

in these pages. They include sustainability 

– meaning saving and improving uses 

of packaging, energy and resources. 

Other topics centre around proteins and 

mostly meat-free alternatives. Insects 

are featured widely, but also plant and 

algae proteins are prolific. For pets with a 

vegetarian or even vegan diet, this means 

that their nutrition still has to be balanced. 

Ian D. Healey, Editor-in-Chief 

Where some minerals and nutrients are 

also found in plant proteins, others may 

need to be supplemented in some form. 

Petfood is a science, too! What does your 

pet say to this? “Give me as much as 

possible, but at least what I need.“ If it’s a 

dog, with the prefix “Please…“ 

My whole team and I look forward to 

meeting you at Interzoo. Safe travels. 

Sincerely 

If you like it subscribe! 

Issue 2 2022 

3

CONTENTS 



Issue 2 May 2022 

Anticipation is growing for the forthcoming Interzoo 2022, to be held in Nuremberg 

from 24 to 27 May: Theorganizer, WZF GmbH, has confirmed itcurrently has 

registrations from about1,300 exhibitors from more than 60countries. With a gross 

exhibition areaof around 105,000 square meters, theworld’s leading fair for pet 

supplies willoffer trade visitors a unique overview ofthe global market for the latest 

productsfor dogs, cats, fish and other pets. See the introduction on page 6 and the 

preview on page 28. 




Marketing: Interzoo 2022, Insect Breeding, Competence in Packaging, Too Much Protein? 

Cover: "Lucy the cat" www.sarahbfotografie.de, dog: Adobe Stock - 130400705, 

Budgie: Adobe Stock - 496107704, Logo Interzoo 

Ingredients 

Processing 

8 High-Quality Petfood Needs Good and Trustworthy 

Suppliers of Raw Materials 

11 Happy Pet – Happy Family 

15 Have You Ever Heard of Humic Acids? 

18 Global Survey Shows Consumers Want Recognizable and 

Health-Promoting Ingredients in Pet Food 

21 A No Compromise Approach to More Sustainable Pet Foods 

24 Poland: WEDA Supplies Feeding System for Europe’s Largest 

Insect Breeding Facility 

36 Customized Solution for Pet Food Processing 

38 Solutions for a Sustainable Planet 

40 Efficient and Safe Production of Pet Food 

"Pets as well as farm animals should be fed the required amounts of 

nutrients according to their needs," says Sandra Stuhr of animalPro 

Nutrition GmbH in our interview on page 8. "Furthermore, the 

feed should be as free as possible from undesirable substances 

and environmental toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides and 

fungicides. Product safety is our top priority." 

The demand for high-quality pet food is increasing, and 

production of pet food requires efficient production lines with 

high availability rates and reproducible quality. This only works 

with optimal system technology and processes that are designed 

to meet the specific requirements of the product in question. 

The article on page 40 shows what else is important. 

4 

Technology & Marketing

Departments 

3 Editorial 

52 Upcoming Events 

52 Impressum 

Marketing 

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May 24th to 27th 

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5

COVER STORY 

Welcome Back to Interzoo! 

Nuremberg, Germany, May 24-27 

Anticipation is growing for the 

forthcoming Interzoo 2022, to be held 

in Nuremberg from 24 to 27 May: The 

organizer, WZF GmbH, has confirmed it 

currently has registrations from about 

1,300 exhibitors from more than 60 

countries. With a gross exhibition area 

of around 105,000 square meters, the 

world’s leading fair for pet supplies will 

offer trade visitors a unique overview of 

the global market for the latest products 

for dogs, cats, fish and other pets. 

“Despite the challenges created by 

Covid-19, the global pet industry has 

developed positively during the past two 

years,” comments Norbert Holthenrich, 

President of the German Pet Trade & 

Industry Association (ZZF), the honorary 

sponsor of Interzoo. But since the 

pandemic began, supply chains have 

been severely disrupted, with production 

problems and delivery bottlenecks 

as a consequence. Holthenrich views 

Interzoo as an opportunity to change 

focus and pave the way for new business: 

“Manufacturers and buyers can meet 

again in person at the world’s leading fair 

in Nuremberg in order to establish new 

business contacts and discover products 

of interest.” 

The strong international make-up of the 

exhibition will guarantee a global market 

overview, with more than 80 percent of 

exhibitors coming from outside Germany. 

The largest international contingents 

represent Italy, the UK, US, Netherlands 

and Spain. There will be a total of eleven 

national pavilions, some of them larger 

than previously, from Brazil, the UK, India, 

Italy, Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, the 

Czech Republic and the US, with France 

and South Korea being new additions this 

year. 

WZF has recorded growth in registrations 

for stand space from a number of countries 

in Europe, such as Turkey (+114%) and 

Spain (+15%), with about 60 exhibitors 

each. There is also stronger demand from 

outside Europe, such as South Korea (+33 

%) and India (+22%) with well over 20 and 

40 exhibitors respectively. 

Segment breakdown 

As in the past, items for dogs and cats 

make up the largest share of the products 

on offer (47%), followed by small animals 

and rodents (10%), then pet birds and 

aquariums (8% each). The range of 

supplementary items for the specialty 

pet retail sector accounts for 6 percent, 

as does petfood technology. Items for 

garden animals represent 5 percent, with 

smaller shares for other segments such as 

subject-area literature, shop fittings and 

packaging. 

Strong international visitor 

numbers expected 

With the lifting of travel restrictions and 

the proven hygiene strategy in place, Dr 

Rowena Arzt, Director Exhibitions for WZF 

GmbH, also expects strong international 

visitor numbers: “At previous Interzoo 

events, more than a quarter of the visitors 

came from Germany and three-quarters 

from other countries – about 42 percent 

from other parts of Europe and a little 

over 30 percent from outside Europe. 

We expect the structure will be similar 

6 


COVER STORY 

at Interzoo 2022, with fewer visitors 

from some eastern European and Asian 

countries in view of the situation there. 

This does not affect the importance of 

Interzoo as the world’s leading fair in this 

sector, and it continues to offer many 

opportunities for international contacts, 

interaction and business.” 

Connecting with the new 

Interzoo app 

The new Interzoo app is now available 

to provide a link between the digital and 

physical worlds and offer a convenient 

overview. It is available for immediate 

download from the usual app stores for 

Apple and Android platforms to help 

participants prepare for their attendance 

at the fair. The app offers visitors the key 

information on exhibitors, products and 

brands, an interactive floor plan, and a 

personal fair planner. Another practical 

function is the “Ticket Wallet”, in which 

visitors can store their entrance tickets and 

other documents as appropriate. Digital 

contact management, a popular feature 

at Interzoo.digital, is also available via 

the app: Visitors can network with other 

visitors or exhibitors, make appointments 

or swap business cards digitally. The 

ability to simply scan in QR codes from 

name tags makes this last function easier. 

Supporting programme 

provides insights and stimuli 

In addition to the wide-ranging 

products and services on offer from the 

exhibitors, the accompanying supporting 

programme comes with further benefits 

for the participants. For example, just the 

day before the actual fair begins, a wholeday 

conference is being held on 23 May in 

the form of Petfood Forum Europe, where 

experts will speak on the latest trends, 

research and innovations on the petfood 

market in Europe. The conference, being 

held in collaboration with WATT Global 

Media, provides an opportunity for 

interaction and networking. 

Further highlights on the supporting 

programme will follow the opening of 

the exhibition halls on Tuesday 24 May, 

with five Interzoo Country Sessions 

discussing trends and market data in 

western Europe, Brazil, Scandinavia, China 

and the US. The Interzoo Sustainability 

Session emphasises the importance of 

sustainability in the pet industry. Trends 

and developments will be illustrated 

and considered in greater depth with 

Norbert Holthenrich, President of 

the German Pet Trade & Industry 

Association (ZZF) 

the aid of best-practice examples. The 

session will start with a presentation by 

the Sustainable Transformation Lab of 

the Antwerp Management School (AMS), 

which will share the results of the latest 

Interzoo sustainability study and provide 

an overview of the current situation 

in the pet industry. Examples from the 

industry will be shown, along with tips 

as to how businesses can make an even 

greater commitment to sustainability. 

Plans are also in progress for a Petfluencer 

session, contributions on aquarium 

products and start-up presentations. Each 

session is followed by an opportunity for 

participants to interact on the theme in 

question and expand their own networks. 

The world’s leading fair is also the 

meeting place for international industry 

organizations. Interzoo will also be the 

umbrella event for this year’s International 

Pet Associations (IPAC) Summit and the 

annual meeting of the European Pet 

Organization (EPO) and Ornamental Fish 

International (OFI). 

Dr. Rowena Arzt, Interzoo 

Exhibitions Director 

To make it possible to experience every 

aspect of the world’s leading fair, selected 

presentations will be made available on 

demand following the event as part of the 

Interzoo Academy. 

WZF GmbH and the German Pet 

Trade & Industry Association (ZZF), as 

the organizer and honorary sponsor 

of Interzoo, respectively, are also 

represented with a stand in Hall 4. As a 

contact for the German pet industry and 

an agent and lobbyist for political matters, 

the Association will present its services for 

members, those in the area of training 

and professional development and also 

information on the pet market. This stand 

is also the place to go for any questions 

on sustainability in the pet industry, 

aquarium products and trends in pet care. 

This issue of PetFood PRO includes a 

longer preview on Interzoo 2002, starting 

on page 28. Please refer to the magazine 

when you visit the exhibitors to find out 

more information. 

For more information 

www.interzoo.com 

www.interzoo-academy.com 


7

INGREDIENTS 

High-Quality Petfood Needs 

Good and Trustworthy Suppliers 

of Raw Materials 

Photos: animalPro nutrition GmbH 

PetFood Pro recently talked with Sandra Stuhr, Sales Director at animalPro nutrition GmbH in Bad Oldesloe, 

Germany. The company has decades of experience in international food and feed ingredients trade for the 

European market and aims to improve the animal feed industry, making it fairer for producers, more reliable for 

manufacturers and more valuable for animals. 

What do you consider to be 

particularly important in 

animal nutrition? 

Pets as well as farm animals should be 

fed the required amounts of nutrients 

according to their needs. Furthermore, 

the feed should be as free as possible from 

undesirable substances and environmental 

toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides 

and fungicides. Product safety is our top 

priority. 

Have you observed any 

changes in the market in recent 

years, if so, which ones? 

In addition to grain-free ingredients 

such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, millet, 

amaranth and tapioca, which have been 

used in premium feeds for many years, 

we are increasingly seeing the use of 

so-called "functional" and "superfood 

ingredients", some of which are linked 

to health-promoting effects from the 

human sector. These include algae, plant 

extracts and herbs, but also pre- and 

probiotics. 

How do you think animal feed 

production will develop or 

change in the coming years? 

A lot of work is currently being done 

on the development of alternative 

protein sources. In particular, the 

area of insect proteins is being 

researched more intensively. 

The supply of proteins 

from meat by-products 

has been declining, not at 

least due to the pandemic, 

and the trend towards 

vegetarian and vegan diets 

is more an expression of the 

consumer's critical attitude 

towards livestock farming. 

We believe this will contribute 

to shortages in the supply of raw 

materials for pet food production. In 

addition, we are observing an increasing 

valorization of slaughter products into 

the food sector. Here, the pet food 

industry is increasingly competing with 

food manufacturers. 

8 


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9

INGREDIENTS 

What do you see as the biggest 

challenges in the pet food 

sector? 

When sourcing raw materials, especially 

from non-European countries, there is 

always the risk of contamination with 

residues that exceed the legal values of 

the corresponding EU regulations. Here, 

a close-meshed control system, which 

starts with the selection of suppliers and 

extends to the analysis of purchased raw 

materials, is enormously important. In our 

opinion, a close connection to professional 

associations and quality standard setters 

is very important. However, it is always 

ultimately the responsibility of the 

companies involved in the supply chain to 

constantly monitor product quality. 

What about the ability to 

deliver in the face of changing 

global challenges? 

The pandemic in particular and the 

temporary interruption of supply flows 

have shown how important it is to have 

good and trustworthy suppliers who, 

despite the difficult situation, do their 

utmost to supply the industry with the raw 

materials in the required quality. Here it is 

important to act together with foresight 

and ensure that sufficient quantities can 

always be made available for production. 

What do you think research 

should or could focus on in the 

coming years? 

The effects of plant extracts and 

functional raw materials, especially in 

animal nutrition, are far from being fully 

developed; in our opinion, there is still a 

great deal of potential here. 

What does “wholesome” 

nutrition mean for certain 

animals? 

For pets, wholesome nutrition means a 

plus in well-being, a well-groomed outer 

appearance and agility. 

Do you think organic food in 

jars for cats is excessive or is it 

good? 

I think this is a personal decision that each 

pet owner should make for themselves. 

What should be fed additionaly 

in certain intervalls? 

This is very individual depending on the 

basic care of the animal, as well as the age 

and breed and cannot be explained in 

a few words. Here, good advice 

should be given by the 

specialized trade or the 

veterinarian. Pet food 

manufacturers 

also offer a lot of 

information and 

advice here. 

Sandra Stuhr, animalPro nutrition GmbH, 

Sales Director 


www.animalpro-nutrition.de 

10 


INGREDIENTS 

Happy Pet – Happy Family 

Bluenesse® a special lemon balm extract for stress-relief in dogs and cats 

by Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner 

Relationship 

Cats and dogs are some of the most 

popular pets around the world. They 

support a healthy lifestyle of the whole 

family by adding structure and daily 

routines. For example, taking the dog for 

a walk, ensures daily exercise supporting 

a healthy heart for the parents, and trains 

grandpa mental ability when interaction 

with other dog owners. Playing and 

cuddling with the cat leads to stress-relief 

and immediate joy for all family members. 

The emotional support pets can provide 

is increasingly important for the society 

and recently published studies have 

begun to explore the science behind it. 

A NATURAL FIT, 

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY 

OXIDATION CONTROL • PALATABILITY 

FOOD SAFETY • NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT 

24-27 May 2022 | Nuremberg, Germany 

Come to discover 

our range of natural 

ingredients at booth 

No. 12.0-310 | Hall 12.0 

KEMIN IS ASSURANCE 


© Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2022. All rights reserved. ® Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A. 

11

INGREDIENTS 

The love hormone oxytocin (1, 2) and the stress hormone cortisol 

(3) were investigated in cats, dogs, and humans interacting with 

each other. The strongest relation was found between humans 

and dogs. Both exhibit a surge in oxytocin, when interacting 

in a positive way. In dogs even a synchronization of the stress 

hormone cortisol with their owners was identified. Results in cats 

were not so clear because a positive interaction led to elevated 

love hormone as well as increased stress hormone. Cats’ owners 

may say, sure, cats are much more complex than dogs. 

Today, the majority of the pet owners are millennials and most 

of them believe that pets should be treated similar to children, 

which may cause additional stress for the pets. Important is that 

pet owners take care to recognize when their pets are stressed 

to eliminate the cause or to reduce the negative effects of stress 

on their pet’s health. This way both can benefit from a long-term 

relationship and a happy pet allows a happy family. 

Bluenesse® is clinically proven to relieve anxiety and stress and to 

promote a calm and focused behavior. 

Bluenesse® 

Bluenesse® is a Melissa officinalis L. extract. Melissa is commonly 

known as lemon balm, which has been known for its ability to 

relax and reduce tension. Vital Solutions combined traditional 

know-how and innovative technologies to develop Bluenesse® 

- a unique lemon balm extract, which supports focus, a good 

mood, and stress-relief. 

Bluenesse® balances the concentration of neurotransmitters and 

the activity of receptors in the nervous system. This improves 

neuronal communication and avoids information overflow. 

Scientific studies have shown that Bluenesse® helps to balance 

Stress in dogs and cats 

Stress in dogs and cats is more common than you may think. 

Occasionally stressed or anxious pets can show undesirable or 

aggressive behaviors. For some pets, stressful events like storms, 

car rides, or visits at the vet can result in behavior that makes 

home life difficult. 

While dogs suffer from noise sensitivity, particularly fireworks and 

thunder, are afraid for heights and uncertain surfaces, cats are 

most tensed by other cats or restricted access to hiding places. 

Both do not like big changes in the house or novel situation and 

show separation related behavior. (4) 

Signs of stress in dogs are licking, barking, whining, and whale 

eyes, up to chronic symptoms like skin irritation and changes 

in eating habits. Cats try to hide and disappear, when they are 

stressed. The tail is closed to the body, ears are flattened, the 

body is immobile and eyes are fully open up to hair loss, urination 

and digestive discomfort, when suffering from chronic stress. 

How to support stress-relief in cats and dogs 

Diversion by physical exercise, mental stimulation or chewing a 

tasty bite supports stress-relief of dogs. When cats are stressed, 

they are stressed and a zero stress strategy is the best. Do not 

change daily routines, be predictable and never initiate physical 

contact. 

Pet supplement containing vitamins and natural ingredients, 

formulated into a tasty treat for dogs and cats, are an effective 

solution to provide comfort for common stressors such as: 

fireworks, thunderstorms, hyperactivity, boarding, loud noises, 

environmental stress, separation anxiety, grooming and travel. 

Stress and calm relief pet supplements, help to balance negative 

effect of stress, reduce anxiety, support a calm behavior and curb 

destructive attitude. A good choice for such pet supplements is 

to include Bluenesse® by Vital Solutions. 

Vital Solutions GmbH is a fast growing company specialized in the 

development and marketing of high quality, innovative, sciencebased, 

and IP protected natural ingredients, for application in 

food, functional food, and dietary supplements, dedicated to 

support a healthy lifestyle. Pet supplement ingredients are the 

latest addition to their portfolio and they offer a special lemon 

balm extract, called Bluenesse®, which is made in Germany. 

the stress hormone cortisol, GABA which aids relaxation, and 

dopamine to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Furthermore, 

it improves the sensitivity of muscarinic receptors enabling 

cognitive function, like focus, alertness and memory. (5) 

Bluenesse® helps with anxiety-related behavioral problems and 

supports that cats and dogs are calm, happy and enjoy walk or 

plays with focus and coordination. 

Bluenesse® could be used for: 

• Thunderstorms / Fireworks 

• Environmental stress 

• Being home alone 

• Stressful family situation 

• Pets showing stress 

• Visit to the vet 

• Travel in car, planes 

• Meeting new people 

• Grooming 

• Agility 

12

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Why you should attend: 

This event is where 

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FIRST= Food Improved 

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More than 1800 

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18,000 global participants 

A scientific stage, 

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a cooking stage, 

and a startup pavilion 

Key theme: Hacking the 

Food Supply: Can We 

Synthesize a More 

Sustainable Future? 

Connect. Learn. Innovate. 

Register at IFTevent.org

INGREDIENTS 

Benefits summary 

Dosage & Application 

The dosage for small dogs (~10 kg) is 

100 mg, for medium dogs (>20 kg) is 200 

mg, and for larger dogs (>30 kg) 300 mg. 

Small cats (~4 kg) require 50 mg, medium 

cats (>8 kg) 100 mg, and larger cats (>12 

kg) 150 mg. The recommended dosage 

for pets could be calculated referring to 

human study results. (6) Bluenesse® can be 

easily formulated in tasty and convenient 

bites, chews or liquid formulations. For 

example a chew of 50 mg would be a 

good unit for flexible dosages. 

Quality 

Bluenesse® is a natural ingredient, based 

on lemon balm (Melissa officinalis (L.), an 

annual edible herb native to Europe. 

• The raw material, lemon balm leaves, 

used for Bluenesse® come from 

controlled cultivation and are of 

highest quality to ensure safety and 

efficacy 

• The extract is obtained by a 

careful water extraction and 

consequently dried together with 

tapioca maltodextrin. No additives, 

preservative or solvents are used. 

• Bluenesse® is made in Germany. The 

manufacturing is done in a modern 

state of the art production facility, 

which is GMP and cGMP certified. 

• Each batch undergoes phytochemical 

and bioassay-guided efficacy 

testing – this is a new dimension of 

quality control, which differentiates 

Bluenesse® from all other generic 

lemon balm extracts. 

• Bluenesse® is a water soluble fine 

beige powder of 3 years stability 

Regulatory 

• Bluenesse® qualifies as pet food 

ingredient in Europe as it is an 

approved food ingredient for human 

consumption and because Melissa 

officinalis leaves extract is listed in 

European Union Register of Feed 

Additives pursuant to Regulation 

(EC) No 1831/2003, on additives for 

use in animal nutrition. 

• Bluenesse® qualifies as pet food 

ingredient in the U.S., as it is generally 

recognized as safe (GRAS) listed in 

CFR.21, part 582. 

• The quality of Bluenesse for pet 

food or animal feed, complies with 

the regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 

and the Directive 2002/32/EC on 

undesirable substances in animal 

feed and with Regulation EC 

References 

(1) S. Marshall-Pescono et al.; The role of oxytocin in the dog-owner 

relationship, Animal 2019 

(2) T. Nagasawa et al.; The urinary hormonal state of cats associated 

with social interaction with humans, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 

2021 

(3) A.S. Sundman et al; Long-term stress levels are synchronized in 

dogs and their owners 

(4) M. Salonen et al.; Prevalence, comorbidity and breed differences 

in canine anxiety in 13,700 finish pet dogs, Nature, 2020 

(5) A. Scholey, et al.; Anti-Stress Effects of Lemon Balm-Containing 

Foods, Nutrients, 2014 

(6) A.B. Nair et al.; A simple practice guide for dosage conversion 

between animals and humans, Journal of Basic and Clinical 

Pharmacy, 2016 

The Author Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner 

is Pharmacist, PhD in pharmaceutical 

chemistry, with Vital Solutions in 

Langenfeld, Germany. 


www.vitalsolutions.biz 

14 


INGREDIENTS 

Have You Ever Heard of 

Humic Acids? 

A natural biotic to strengthen the intestinal function of pets 

by Dr. Margit Strohmaier 

What are humic acids? 

Humic acids are ubiquitous in nature and were formed through humification of organic material over millions of years. The molecular 

structures of the former plants, which are still active today, are partially preserved. These various reactive groups and flavonoid 

structures are critical for functionality and activity in the animal. The starting material is leonardite, a type of soft lignite that is 

particularly rich in humic acids. We look back to six decades of humic acid research and production. Our many years of know-how 

finally led to a patented processing step. The humic acids of type WH67® are manufactured using this process and are the subject of a 

large number of research projects in the human and animal sector. These and other aspects determine the standardized quality and 

activity as well as safety for naturally healthy pets. 

Firewall intestinal barrier 

Normally, a healthy intestinal barrier is strong enough to block 

toxic substances such as endotoxins or mycotoxins, but also 

allergens, while allowing nutrients to pass through the intestinal 

cells towards the blood. However, there are factors that impair 

the normal cohesion of the cells in this thin tissue layer, so that 

undesirable substances can pass between the cells and enter the 

blood stream. This is also referred to as “leaky gut”. Those factors 

can be stress (e.g. change of owner, visit to the vet, transport, but 

also high temperature in a car) or feeding-related (e.g. changing 

food, treats or toxins from unsuitable material caught on a walk). 

Inflammation of the intestine caused by viruses, bacteria or 

parasites also causes tissue damage that allows toxic substances 

to pass through more easily. These then have to be detoxified by 

the liver, upregulate inflammatory mediators and impair general 

well-being. 

Figure 1: Impaired gut barrier, toxins and bacteria can enter more 

easily into the blood stream "Leaky gut" (left), healthy mucosa cells 

strenght by a protective layer of humic acids of type WH67® (right) 

(schematic illustration, Scource: GITES GmbH) 

We booked this ad 

to make you curious. 

(There’s transparency in everything we do.) 

Discover our premium, quality-controlled and 100%-retraceable raw ingredients and 

semi-finished products for the pet and livestock industry. Visit us at Interzoo 2022 in 

hall 4, booth 339, from 24 - 27 May in Nuremberg. 

www.animalpro-nutrition.de 


15

INGREDIENTS 

Figure 2: Selective 

mucosa protection 

and neutralisation 

of harmful 

substances by 

WH67 ® (Scource: 

GITES GmbH) 

How does WH67® stabilize the intestinal barrier? 

Humic acids WH67® are able to form a continuous protective 

layer, a colloidal film on the intestinal mucosa. The tiny particles 

also slide into the spaces between the villi and cover the entire 

surface of these sensitive tissue parts. They adhere particularly 

to damaged areas, seal them and protect them like a plaster. This 

strengthens the intestinal barrier and reduces the passage of 

toxins into the bloodstream. 

Detoxifying properties of WH67® 

The chemisorptive properties of humic acids enable the 

neutralization of toxic substances. Nutrients remain unaffected by 

these processes, so that full nutrient availability is retained or even 

improved. In addition to physical processes, neutralization also 

takes place through chemical reactions. Particularly interesting 

is the extraordinarily high in-vitro neutralization capacity for 

endotoxins (E. coli and S. typhimurium), which play a major role 

in endogenous inflammatory processes or also occur in various 

diseases to a large extent. Very high neutralization capacities 

could also be demonstrated for the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 

and zearalenone, and moderate neutralization capacities for 

ochratoxin. A Europe-wide patent is held for WH67® for the 

neutralization of glyphosate in the body of warm-blooded 

animals. 

How does WH67® interact with the gut 

microbiome? 

Several studies have shown that the humic acids of type WH67® 

influence the intestinal microbiome in favour of the main 

physiological flora. For example, the proportion of facultative 

pathogenic bacteria, like E. coli, C. perfringens and other 

Enterobacteriaceae are significantly reduced, but at the same 

time the proportion of desirable bacteria such as Enterococcus 

spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. is significantly 

increased. A stable and rich microbiome ensures robust digestion 

and contributes to general well-being. 

Scientific evidence 

In over 60 years of research, over 70 studies have been 

published with humic acids WH67® and a large number of other 

Figure 3: In-vitro neutralisation capacity for selected myco- and endotoxins of WH67 ® (Scource: TUENTE et al. 2020) 

16

INGREDIENTS 

functionalities have been scientifically proven, which has also led 

to the approval of various veterinary pharmaceuticals and human 

medical products in the DACH region by our sister company WH 

Pharmawerk Weinboehla GmbH. 

As a multi-functional component, humic acids have a wide field of 

application in petfood, reaching from maintenance to veterinary 

diets, from prevention to support during health issues. Humic 

acids are thermostable and available in powder and liquid form. 

As a multi-functional component, humic acids have a wide field of 

application in petfood, reaching from maintenance to veterinary 

diets, from prevention to support during health issues. Humic 

acids are thermostable and available in powder and liquid form. 

The Author 

Dr. Margit Strohmaier, GITES GmbH, Germany 

“We see improvements in the intestinal health of our farm 

animals every day. Therefore, we have developed a product that 

makes these benefits accessible to pets as well.” 

Let´s talk about the benefits of humic acids at the Interzoo, 

exhibition hall 12, booth 12.0-125! 

Literature is available from the author upon request: 

m.stohmaier@gites-gmbh.de 


www.gites-gmbh.de/en/project/humic-acids-forpetfood 

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Looking for... 

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lamotte-oils.de 

Welcome to 

24. – 27. May 22 

Nuremberg, Germany · Hall 1, 1-532 

17

INGREDIENTS 

Global Survey Shows Consumers 

Want Recognizable and Health- 

Promoting Ingredients in Pet Food 

Female feeding her dog Copyright Shutterstock - Africa Studio 

A recent global study, conducted by 

market research company Wizer on behalf 

of BENEO, has found that the primary 

interest of dog and cat owners is for 

natural pet foods with additional health 

benefits. With the majority of pet owners 

expecting their pet’s food to be the same 

quality as their own, there is significant 

demand for high quality, natural and 

healthy ingredients. The survey included 

2,500 dog and cat owners in the UK, USA, 

Brazil, Germany and China. 

The research highlights how pet food 

trends continue to mirror those in human 

nutrition. It demonstrates the vast market 

potential for the use of clean label, healthpromoting 

and no- or low-allergenic 

ingredients, with sustainability and plantbased 

origin also now of increasing 

importance. 

Naturalness and clean label 

drives pet food purchasing 

According to the survey, consumers are 

increasingly considering natural aspects 

when buying food for their pets. Using 

less or no additives makes pet food appear 

healthier for more than 4 in 5 pet owners. 

BENEO’s findings also demonstrate that 

pet foods featuring natural ingredient 

claims have a significant influence on 

their purchase prospects, with 79% of 

pet owners checking the label for any 

ingredients they dislike. Many potential 

customers are also calling on brands to 

make it easier to track what’s contained 

within pet foods, making this an 

important area of focus for producers. 

Alongside the demand to eliminate 

additives from pet foods, a spotlight is also 

being placed on allergenic ingredients: 

three quarters of pet owners agree that 

using no allergens, such as soy or corn, 

makes food for pets seem healthieri¹. 

BENEO’s rice ingredients are a viable way 

to reduce the allergenic components in 

pet foods and enhance their appeal to 

consumers. 

Support of healthy digestion a 

priority 

As in human nutrition, healthy digestion 

is also driving buying behaviours in pet 

foods. More than 90% of pet owners say 

that supporting digestive health improves 

the likelihood of them purchasing a 

product, inducing them to actively look 

for easy-to-digest products. Notably the 

demand for prebiotics is gathering pace 

and their benefits are widely perceived, 

with 70% of respondents agreeing that 

adding such fibres to pet food makes it 

seem healthier. A recent Mintel study 

further confirms this interest in prebiotic 

ingredients for pets, with half of the 

product launches of dry cat and dog food 

in Europe now containing inulin, fructooligosaccharides 

or chicory derived 

products2. 

Increasing sustainable focus 

Another consumer trend that is further 

shifting into the realm of pet foods is 

that of sustainability, with more than 

half of owners now stating that they pay 

attention to sustainability and the carbon 

footprint in purchase decisions of their 

pets’ food. According to the survey, using 

claims such as “environmentally friendly” 

improves consumer interest in buying a 

pet food product. 

BENEO offers a range of chicory root 

fibres and rice ingredients that help 

manufacturers address the increased 

demand for clean label and healthy pet 

foods. Besides their nutritional benefits, 

BENEO’s range of rice ingredients have 

outstanding technological properties, 

making them suitable as natural 

alternatives to modified starches and 

hydrocolloids or enhancers of physical 

characteristics in many types of pet foods 

and snacks. The company has also built its 

business around the sustainable sourcing 

of all its plant-based ingredients. 

Maygane Ronsmans, Product Manager 

Animal Nutrition at BENEO, comments: 

“The findings of this latest pet survey 

highlight the rising demand from owners 

for understandable, cleaner ingredients 

labels and for healthier nutrition for their 

pets. We are also seeing this reflected 

through the rising number of customers 

favouring BENEO’s clean label and 

hypoallergenic rice starches and proteins, 

which are the ideal plant-based solutions 

for premium pet foods. 

“The technical properties of our functional 

rice ingredients allow producers to use 

them as natural ingredients, and their 

nutritional benefits make them suitable 

for sensitive pets, or those with allergies. 

The combination of BENEO’s natural and 

plant-based ingredients and its expertise 

in healthy nutrition help manufacturers 

bring to market new and relevant pet 

food products that meet these consumer 

demands.” 

References: 

1. BENEO Consumer Research on Attitudes 

towards Pet Food (Online survey) conducted 

in local language by Wizer for USA n=510 / 

Brazil n=515 / UK n=505 / Germany n=514 / 

China n=512 Field work conducted in July 

2021 

2. Mintel GNPD, Share of New Product 

Launches in Europe for the year 2021 

(extraction date: Jan 2022) 


www.beneo.com 

18 


WE TURN IDEAS 

INTO SOLUTIONS. 

We look forward to seeing you. 

24th to 27th May 2022 

Nuremberg 

Hall 5, stand 5-207 

Your partner for solutions with line and process expertise. 

You have ideas – we have just the right solution for them. From product preparation to filling 

and portioning technology and product handling – our process solutions to match your needs. 

Benefit from our many years of in-depth expertise, our process-reliable technology and our 

excellent service. Let us turn your ideas into solutions. 

Further information at: 

www.handtmann.com/petfood

HANDTMANN SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PET FOOD 

The modularity of Handtmann process solutions caters to a large variety of pet food, 

from wet pet food to cooked or fresh meat dosed into a wide variety of containers 

to sausage products and dry pet food sticks, bars, pellets and much more deposited into 

a wide variety of containers. 

STICKS, BARS, PELLETS AND CUBES 

Inotec I-iT 

The ultimate ultra-fine 

grinding technology 

FS 510 forming system 

For multi-lane forming with 

flow divider onto belt/racks/trays 

FRESH MEAT AND VEGETABLES 

Inotec VarioMix 

Uniquely flexible mixing technology 

for a wide variety of products 

SV 424 cutting valve 

Portioning straight into forms, trays 

or thermo-forming machines 

SAUSAGE PRODUCTS 

PVLH 228 PLUS sausage line 

For hung sausages in natural, collagen 

and peel-off casing 

Inotec WT 99-iT 

For the separation of sausages in 

artificial, collagen or natural casing 

COOKED WET PET FOOD 

Inotec I-iT 

The ultimate ultra-fine 

grinding technology 

Inotec VarioMix 

Uniquely flexible mixing 

technology for a wide 

variety of products 

DV 85-3 depositing system 

Accurate-to-the-gram dosing 

of pasty filling products 

into containers 

Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG 

Hubertus-Liebrecht-Str. 10-12 | 88400 Biberach | Germany | sales.machines@handtmann.de | +49 7351 45-0 

www.handtmann.com/petfood |

INGREDIENTS 

A No Compromise Approach to 

More Sustainable Pet Foods 

Why wheat texturates make sense in hybrid pet foods and other applications 

Coypright: iStock/chendongshan 

The plant-based revolution has already 

significantly impacted the human food 

market and, in recent years, this growing 

trend has increasingly spilled over into the 

animal feed industry. And, although vegan 

products for pets are still considered to 

be a niche market, they’re becoming 

more and more relevant because of the 

EU’s environmental goals and changing 

consumer behavior. Product development, 

especially when it comes to ingredient 

suppliers, now offers a broader scope of 

opportunity to create entire ranges of dog 

and cat food that – without losing sight of 

animal health and production modalities 

– are also planet friendly. One example 

of a functional and sustainable approach 

comes from Trigea; their hybrid or vegan 

products made with wheat texturates have 

been well received, are easily digested 

by pets and offer numerous application 

possibilities. 

A growing market for optimized 

products 

With the environment in mind, many 

people are trying to make more sustainable 

purchasing decisions. Naturally, this goes 

way beyond the individuals themselves 

and also applies to items that are bought 

for their loved ones, including of course, 

pets. Whether these consumers are doing 

their pet food shopping online or on the 

high-street, current research shows that 

demand for plant-based feed is increasing, 

and is projected to be worth nearly USD 

15.7 million by 2028¹. The trend is definitely 

upwards; but, measured against the entire 

segment, which is expected to reach a 

value of about USD 137 billion by 2028, the 

overall share of completely animal-free pet 

food still only represents a fraction – for the 

time being2. 

“For many people, making the transition 

to vegan pet food can be daunting,” says 

Maximilian Hegge, Sales Manager at Trigea. 

“When buying hybrid products, however, 

consumers feel like they’re making a small 

but meaningful change with very little 

risk. Reducing the meat content of these 

products represents a real opportunity to 

meet consumer demand in the medium 

and long-term.” 

Perhaps as a side-effect of humanization, 

the factors affecting both human and 

pet food are becoming more and more 

similar; after all, for many pet owners, 


21

INGREDIENTS 

only the best is good enough for their 

furry friends. In Maximilian’s opinion, a 

more sustainably formulated feed has 

the best chance of actually providing 

“added value.” He says: “The products 

need to be high-quality, well tolerated 

and accepted by the animal itself, and 

be just as healthy as conventional 

products. At the same time, it must also 

contain more sustainably sourced, plantbased 

ingredients.” Often, the greatest 

concern is that the pet will not like the 

meat analogue. “I’m happy to dispel this 

fear,” adds Maximilian: “TVP [texturized 

vegetable protein] from wheat is neutral 

in taste and smell and takes on the taste 

of the rest of the components of the 

feed.” 

Technological advantages 

The wheat-based texturized proteins 

from the Trigovit® Tex range perfectly 

replicate the textures of many meats 

and even fish. Available as chunks, 

flakes, granules, fibres and in powder 

form, they can also be processed with 

meat to create hybrid products with 

improved nutritional value and stability. 

For example, they can be used in dry 

kibbles, as a fibrous component in feed 

croquettes or to give a special twist to 

treats. Additionally, they can act as the 

solid particles in semi-moist applications 

and give a firm texture to wet pet food. 

dry products that can be individually 

hydrated,” says Hegge: “Depending on the 

ratio of water to dry texturate, the firmness 

can be adapted so that it matches the 

requirements of the product. Finding the 

right texture can be challenging, but we’re 

here to help and answer any questions.” 

Compared with meat products, handling 

dry raw materials is less problematic. It 

requires no special storage conditions 

and is simply added to the feed when 

dry. And whereas sufficient water must be 

available to ensure complete hydration, 

no additional equipment is required for 

processing. 

Nutritional value 

Traditionally, reflecting what wild cats 

and wolves eat, the primary source of pet 

food has always been meat. Yet, with the 

constantly increasing global demand for 

protein, plant-based varieties are rising in 

popularity because cultivation is generally 

less resource-intensive. In a sustainable 

supply chain, there is a strong case for 

using the nutrients contained in wheat 

and other cereals directly … and not using 

them as feed for livestock. 

Proteins play a crucial role in supporting 

a healthy metabolism. And whereas dogs 

must have an adequate supply of proteins 

to maintain their body muscles, the 

not provide a completely balanced 

diet5. Supplementation with vegetable 

protein, in the form of wheat-based TVP, 

for example, could therefore be useful. 

“Ultimately, however, owners should refer 

to a trained veterinarian to determine the 

individual needs of their cat or dog. Plantbased 

supplements in pet food, or even 

individual vegan meals within a diversified 

diet, are just that – supplements,” advises 

Hegge. 

Extruded and functional 

To make texturized protein, an extruder 

is used. A base material is pressed 

through a previously defined die by 

applying pressure and temperature. The 

subsequently shaped intermediate offers 

a multitude of design possibilities for 

the end product. Furthermore, process 

parameters and the composition of the 

raw material mixture can be adapted 

to influence both the form and the 

nutritional composition and colour of the 

extrudates. 

The production of texturized proteins 

does, though, require special technological 

know-how and profound raw material 

expertise. As Trigea is part of the Crespel 

& Deiters Group, one of the leading wheat 

processors in Europe, the team boasts both 

the necessary skills and access to a reliable 

source of high-quality raw materials. 

With no meat at all (as pictured) or mixed with meat, dogs will not notice the difference. (Copyright: Crespel & Deiters) 

Regarding technological advantages, 

TVP benefits from a consistent level of 

quality that outcompetes most animal 

derivatives. First, it’s very important that 

the ingredients are sterilization-stable 

because canned feed, in particular, is 

usually autoclaved at a temperature 

of 120°C or higher. “We provide TVP as 

needs of cats are much higher3. As more 

research is done on plant-based diets, 

studies show that even carnivorous cats 

can metabolise at least small amounts of 

plant-based raw materials4. 

Dogs, by contrast, are considered to be 

omnivores. As such, meat alone does 

The company only uses European wheat 

that is free from genetically modified 

components and characterised by reliable 

availability and short transport distances. 

By covering the entire supply chain, every 

stage of processing can be controlled and 

adapted as required: the grain is split into 

separate components at the company’s 

22 


headquarters in Germany, whereas the 

protein-rich fractions are extruded at the 

group’s own plant in the Netherlands. As 

physical processes are not declarable, 

only the raw materials used can be listed 

on the label, such as wheat gluten and 

wheat flour, which makes the textured 

wheat proteins of the Trigovit® Tex range 

a declaration-friendly ingredient. The 

process of extrusion breaks down the 

wheat proteins, which further improves 

digestibility. 

Origin and purpose 

Through further development and 

research into extrusion technology, many 

more product innovations are bound 

to reach the market. It goes without 

saying that the potential for extrudates 

is far from exhausted. Hybrid products 

give sustainability minded shoppers 

the chance to make better decisions 

when shopping for both themselves and 

their pets. Furthermore, it also enables 

manufacturers to increase their product 

portfolio and contribute to the circular 

economy. Thanks to advanced and highly 

functional ingredients such as texturates, 

the innovative new products of the future 

can be delivered using the production 

technologies of today to improve the 

health and well-being of consumers, their 

pets and the planet. 

Only INGREDIENTS the best for 

our loved ones! 

Coypright: iStock/chendongshan 

Real brewers‘ yeast! 

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References 

1. www.marketresearch.com/TIP-Knowledge-Services-v4095/Vegan-Pet- 

Food-Forecast-COVID-14738638/. Latest access 19 April 2022. 

2. www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/pet-foodmarket-100554. 

Latest access 19 April 2022. 

3. www.fediaf.org/prepared-pet-foods/nutritional-requirements.html. 

Latest access 19 April 2022. 

4. Iben et. Al (2021): Ernährung der Katze. Grundlagen – Fütterung – Diätetik 

[Engl.: Nutrition of cats. Basics – Feeding – Dietetics], 2021, S. 95f. 

5. Vgl. Zentek (2021): Ernährung des Hundes. Grundlagen – Fütterung – 

Diätetik [Engl.: Nutrition of dogs. Basics – Feeding – Dietetics]; 2021; S. 16f. 

Biolex ® MB40 

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For further information 

just get in touch with us! 

Visit our new website: 

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www.crespeldeitersgroup.com/applications-solutions/pet-food/ 


23 

Leiber GmbH | Hafenstraße 24 | 49565 Bramsche 

Germany | info@leibergmbh.de

INGREDIENTS 

Poland: WEDA Supplies Feeding 

System for Europe’s Largest 

Insect Breeding Facility 

Fly larvae as an efficient source of protein for the animal feed of the future 

WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp GmbH supplies the complete insect feeding system for the Polish feed 

producer HiProMine. The company from Robakowo near Poznań breeds insect-based proteins on an industrial 

scale using the black soldier fly. With WEDA’s new plant, 550 tonnes of substrate are produced and fed there 

every day. The technology creates a food chain in which the insect forms a bridge between plant waste and 

sustainable animal feed. 

Feeding the growing world 

population 

The use of the soldier fly as a feed insect 

can thus make an important contribution 

in the future to feeding the growing 

world population in a resource-saving 

way. Compared to other feedstuffs, insects 

are the only source of protein for 

which the raw material can be utilised 

one hundred percent. Moreover, no waste 

is produced during the manufacture of 

animal proteins. On the contrary: during 

their growth, the larvae feed exclusively 

on organic waste. The soldier fly Hermetia 

illucens is also characterized by extremely 

rapid development, with larvae fattening 

in about seven days. 

Photo: WEDA 

About WEDA 

For more than 80 years, the name 

WEDA has stood for innovation and 

consistency. Established as a company 

for the production of wood gas 

generators is WEDA Dammann & 

Westerkamp GmbH with 150 employees 

at the headquarters in Lutten, meanwhile 

world market leader in the field of 

liquid feeding. 

In its function as a full-service provider 

for modern pig farming, WEDA 

also looks after the areas of feeding 

technology and barn equipment also the 

segments air conditioning technology 

and liquid manure processing. With its 

broad dealer network, the company is 

represented in over 50 countries. 

Proven technologies of WEDA 

“In addition, the end products are free 

of antibiotics and genetically modified 

organisms,” argues WEDA product 

manager Jens Feldhaus in favor of 

expanding the breeding method. In the 

insect feeding systems of HiProMine, the 

proven technologies of WEDA Dammann 

& Westerkamp are used for this purpose. 

Inexpensive, nutrient-rich and 

ecological protein source 

Insect-based feeds are currently already 

approved for domestic animals, poultry, 

pigs and aqua-culture. If the technology 

becomes established worldwide, 

insects have the potential to become an 

inexpensive, nutrient-rich and ecological 

protein source for all animal feed. Prof. Dr. 

hab. Damian Jozefiak, one of the founders 

of HiProMine and professor at the Poznań 

University of Life Sciences, is very satisfied 

with the prospects and the cooperation 

so far: “With WEDA, we have found exactly 

the right technology partner who offers 

us the production security we need for 

the sustainable de-velopment of this 

business field,” he sums up. 


www.hipromine.com/petfood 

https://insect.weda.de/en 

24 


High Protein Dog Food: How 

Much Protein is Too Much? 

by Kasey Dunn, Co-Founder HOPE Pet Food, Canada 

INGREDIENTS 

With so many options out there, how can 

we know what’s the best for our furry 

family members? It’s no secret that high 

protein dog food is a huge trend, but that 

led us to question: is there such a thing 

as too much protein? If so, how much is 

too much? We asked our pet nutrition 

specialist to do a deep dive into the 

research to tell us more. 

So bear with us, this one gets a little 

science-heavy – but we think it’s worth 

it! As a pet parent, we want you to be 

empowered with as much knowledge 

as possible to help you navigate the 

challenge of finding your bff the best diet 

for them. 

First off we know that sometimes the best 

option isn’t so clear. This is especially true 

when it comes to the amount of protein 

in pet food! 

What we know 

Commercial dog foods have different 

amounts of crude protein, ranging from 

18% to over 60%! What may surprise you 

is that the ideal range of protein required 

for a healthy adult dog hasn’t been 

determined. 

The Association of American Feed Control 

Officials (AAFCO) and the European pet 

food industry (FEDIAF) recommend a 

minimum crude protein concentration 

of 18.0% on a dry matter (DM) basis for 

adult maintenance dog food 1-2 . These 

associations have minimums, but there 

is no clear “best” concentrations or even 

an upper limit suggested. So, how do pet 

owners choose what’s best for their dogs? 

With no concrete answers from 

associations, let’s look at some factors and 

how protein levels can affect our dog. 

The Canine Microbiome 

You may have heard of the 

microbiome before. Well, like 

you or I, our dogs also have 

a gut microbiome. This 

wonderful microscopic 

world inside us is known 

to influence our health 

but to what extent remains 

to be established. However, 

what we do know is that 

it does have some degree 

of influence. Studies have 

investigated the effects of high 

protein levels on the canine microbiome 

(Yay!), the bad news is not a lot of studies 

have looked into a range of protein levels. 

This makes it hard to gain any concrete 

answers. 

But, here’s what we do know: 

Studies looking into high protein levels 

found that high dietary protein leads 

to increases in fecal pH along with 

metabolites like branched-chain fatty acids 

(BCFAs) and indole sulfates in dogs 3–7 . 


25

INGREDIENTS 

This indicates that a higher amount of 

protein in the diet leads to increased 

protein available to the microorganisms 

found in microbiomes. 

Well, what the heck does 

this mean? 

This means that higher 

concentrations of 

protein also lead to 

more circulating 

urea in the body 

8 

. Urea is an end 

product produced 

when protein 

is broken down 

in the body. It’s 

found in urine, 

blood, bile, milk and 

even sweat. Increases 

in uremic toxins can come 

from protein fermentation in 

the colon 9 . Some of these toxins are 

indole sulfates and p-cresol: and neither 

are great for health 10 . 

Eating more protein is also associated 

with a higher fecal pH because more 

of it must be broken down by the gut 

microbiome. 

So studies indicate that feeding dogs 

a high amount of protein can lead to 

a shift in gut bacteria to favor protein 

breakdown and a higher fecal pH; both 

of which are associated with higher levels 

of metabolites linked to inflammation 

and kidney dysfunction 9 . That said: 

whether or not this is ultimately harmful 

to dogs needs to be further investigated. 

Unfortunately, most of the current 

research available has been done in 

other mammals so it’s difficult to make 

a firm conclusion when it comes to our 

furry best friends. One study also found 

that lean dogs may be more resilient to 

changes in dietary protein levels than 

obese dogs 13 . 

The long-term health effects of these 

changes in the microbiome should be 

further researched before we can draw 

fully formed conclusions. 

So, what is the right protein 

content for your dog? 

It is likely not in the range of over 60% 

or even 40% DM. However, this question 

could be more complicated. It also 

depends on your dog’s age, current 

weight, health and reproductive status 

(check out How to Choose the Best High- 

Quality Dog Food). 

Sometimes there are benefits to highprotein 

diets. For instance, if your dog 

is overweight, they could likely 

be consuming a weight 

management diet 

that is higher in 

protein and 

higher in 

fibre. This 

diet can 

be useful 

for dogs 

to lose 

weight due 

to the high 

fibre content 

which makes 

your dog feel full 

and satiated eating 

less. They will not lose 

muscle mass because of the 

high protein content. 

What protein content is the 

best for your dog also likely 

depends on their size. 

Are they miniature, small, medium, big or 

a giant breed? 

Recent studies investigating some 

essential amino acids have shown 

different requirements for different dog 

sizes 14–16 . Therefore, the right protein 

content likely varies due to these factors 

as well. Nonetheless, current research, as 

well as current guidelines, do not state 

the “right” protein content for any dog as 

of right now. 

More Protein Isn’t Necissarily 

Better For Your Pupper or for 

the Planet 

We know the minimum requirement for 

protein is 18% DM. 

We also know the research points to a 

shift in the gut microbiome from too 

much protein linked to inflammation 

and kidney dysfunction 9 . So, choosing 

something in the middle of the road is 

likely your best starting point. And of 

course, we recommend monitoring your 

dog’s health and consulting their vet 

whenever there’s a concern. 

From a health perspective, more research 

is needed to learn the optimal amount 

of protein for your dog based on these 

factors. However, with the growing 

trend of high protein diets, we think it’s 

important to ask ourselves: is all that 

protein really necessary, or is it just 

wasteful? We know the environmental 

cost of the production of animal protein is 

a high one and based on the current body 

of research, most dog foods offer protein 

levels well above nutrient requirements. 

With more animal protein comes more 

damage to the planet so we recommend 

focusing on nutrients not just ingredients 

when it comes to choosing your dogs’ 

food. 

Focusing on Nutrients, Not 

Ingredients, Is Key 

Undigested protein is far from ideal. 

It’s not utilized through the digestive 

system and is just excreted in feces which 

Kasey Dunn, Co-founder, with Jasper, Food Tester, at HOPE Pet Food 

Photos: Hope Pet Food 

26 


INGREDIENTS 

can produce a more unpleasant smell. 

Excess protein can also increase nitrogen 

excretion in urine without any benefit to 

your pet (and kill your lawn!). This excess 

nitrogen elimination can negatively 

impact our environment because of 

increased acidification and eutrophication 

of soil. One of the most important 

considerations is the digestibility of 

the amino acids being provided by the 

protein sources. Dogs, like humans, 

require specific nutrients, not ingredients. 

These nutrients can be reached with a 

variety of different ingredient sources, 

including animal products, novel proteins, 

grains, pulses, etc. At HOPE, we aim to use 

accurate protein contents and digestible 

protein sources in our pet foods to help 

your pet thrive while also reducing their 

ecological paw print. Learn more about 

our ingredients below. 

References 

1. Association of American Feed Control Officals (AAFCO). 

Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. (2014). 

doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1963.tb01891.x 

| 2. FEDIAF. Nutritional 

Guidelines. FEDIAF 323, 1178–1179 (2020). | 3. Hang, I. et al. Impact of 

diets with a high content of greaves-meal protein or carbohydrates 

on faecal characteristics, volatile fatty acids and faecal calprotectin 

concentrations in healthy dogs. BMC Vet. Res. 9, (2013). | 4. Herstad, 

K. M. V. et al. A diet change from dry food to beef induces reversible 

changes on the faecal microbiota in healthy, adult client-owned 

dogs. BMC Vet. Res. 13, 1–13 (2017). | 5. Jackson, M. I. & Jewell, D. E. 

Balance of saccharolysis and proteolysis underpins improvements 

in stool quality induced by adding a fiber bundle containing bound 

polyphenols to either hydrolyzed meat or grain-rich foods. Gut 

Microbes 10, 298–320 (2019). | 6. Grandi, M. et al. Effects of dietary 

supplementation with increasing doses of lactose on faecal bacterial 

populations and metabolites and apparent total tract digestibility 

in adult dogs. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 17, 1021–1029 (2018). | 7. Nery, J. 

et al. Influence of dietary protein content and source on colonic 

fermentative activity in dogs differing in body size and digestive 

tolerance. J. Anim. Sci. 90, 2570–2580 (2012). | 8. Weiner, I. D., Mitch, 

W. E. & Sands, J. M. Urea and ammonia metabolism and the control 

of renal nitrogen excretion. Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 10, 1444–1458 

(2015). | 9. Ephraim, E., Cochrane, C. Y. & Jewell, D. E. Varying protein 

levels influence metabolomics and the gut microbiome in healthy 

adult dogs. Toxins (Basel). 12, 1–16 (2020). | 10. Sun, C. Y., Hsu, H. H. & 

Wu, M. S. P-Cresol sulfate and indoxyl sulfate induce similar cellular 

inflammatory gene expressions in cultured proximal renal tubular 

cells. Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 28, 70–78 (2013). | 

11. Morrison, D. J. & Preston, T. Formation of short chain fatty acids 

by the gut microbiota and their impact on human metabolism. Gut 

Microbes 7, 189–200 (2016). | 12. Aguirre, M. et al. Diet drives quick 

changes in the metabolic activity and composition of human gut 

microbiota in a validated in vitro gut model. Res. Microbiol. 167, 114– 

125 (2016). | 13. Xu, J. et al. The response of canine faecal microbiota 

to increased dietary protein is influenced by body condition. BMC Vet. 

Res. 13, 1–11 (2017). | 14. Templeman, J. R., Mansilla, W. D., Fortener, 

L. & Shoveller, A. K. Tryptophan requirements in small, medium, and 

large breed adult dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation 

technique. J. Anim. Sci. 97, 3274–3285 (2019). | 15. Sutherland, K. A. 

K., Mansilla, W. D., Fortener, L. & Shoveller, A. K. Lysine requirements in 

small, medium, and large breed adult dogs using the indicator amino 

acid oxidation technique1. Transl. Anim. Sci. 4, (2020). | 16. Mansilla, 

W. D., Templeman, J. R., Fortener, L. & Shoveller, A. K. Minimum 

dietary methionine requirements in Miniature Dachshund, Beagle, 

and Labrador Retriever adult dogs using the indicator amino acid 

oxidation technique. J. Anim. Sci. 98, 1–10 (2020). 


www.hopepetfood.ca 


27

INTERZOO 

Interzoo 2022 – Highlights 

to Check Out in Nuremberg, 

May 24th to 27th 

AFB International (Hall 6 Stand 6-321) is always looking for new ways to better understand the taste preferences of pets and 

increase the palatability of food, treats and nutritional supplements. In doing so, the company is constantly 

improving results, whether it's evaluating the palatability-enhancing effects of product components, 

analysing sensory feedback from discerning pets or conducting benchmark tests against competitor 

products. www.afbinternational.com/ 

AM Nutrition (Hall 2 Stand 2-615) is a global supplier of natural pea ingredients. AM 

Nutrition fractionates yellow peas into AMN Pea Protein Concentrate, AMN Pea Starch 

Concentrate, AMN Pea Flour Concentrate and AMN Pea Hull Fiber for use in food, feed, 

pet food and technical applications. The products are obtained by air-classification, a dry 

process technology that is environmentally friendly, sustainable and preserves the high 

nutritional and functional quality of the peas. The production process uses no water or 

chemicals and has low energy consumption. AM Nutrition’s texturized and extruded products 

are based on dry yellow peas. These ingredients are healthy, functional and cost effective alternatives for a 

wide range of food applications. AMN also offers extruded products with high functionality for the pet food, 

feed and non-food industry. www.am-nutrition.no 

AMBROSIA PET FOOD (Hall 9 Stand 9-436) offers holistic, hypoallergenic, grain-free, dog and cat food, rich in 

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats and antioxidants, suitable for all breeds of dogs and cats. It combines digestible protein from fresh fish 

with high nutritional meat protein and the addition of vegetables, superfoods and herbs. All raw materials are Human Grade and 

certified for human consumption. https://ambrosiapetfood.com/ 

animalPRO nutrition (Hall 4 Stand 4-339) With decades of experience in the international food and feed raw-ingredients trade for the 

European market, animalPro nutrition delivers premium, quality-controlled and 100%-retraceable raw ingredients and semi-finished 

products for the pet and livestock industry. The company has the claim of improving the animal feed industry in three areas: making 

it fairer for producers, more reliable for manufacturers and qualitatively more valuable for the animals. www.animalpro-nutrition.de 

Barentz (Hall 7 Stand 7-731) is a global distributor of life science ingredients, specializing in animal nutrition and other areas, creating 

unique synergies across all disciplines. The ingredients and concepts aim to help improve feed efficiency, raise productivity, reduce 

waste and contribute to the animal health and wellbeing. This happens with functional- and nutritional ingredients. Every feed 

formulation is different and Barentz can help to find the right combination of ingredients. The foundation of single ingredients and 

commodities is complemented with several specific concepts and even, if required, ready-blended solutions. www.barentz.com/ 

animal-nutrition 

Boréal Pet Food (Hall 10 Stand 10.-0-409c)is a line of dry and wet pet foods. The dry food range includes the fresh meat varieties 

Boréal Original and Boréal Functional, as well as a selection of grain-free or grain-containing varieties such as Boréal Proper. The Boréal 

Functional line is aimed at pets with special needs, such as senior or indoor cats or large breed puppies. www.borealpetfood.com 

bosch Tiernahrung (Hall 1 Stand 1-124) produces high-quality pet food products for dogs and cats. With modern production and 

packaging facilities and according to scientifically sound recipes, diverse and select raw materials with good digestibility and high 

acceptance are processed. When developing new types of food, only projects that are based on sufficiently scientifically researched 

and recognized principles are considered. Animal testing that would lead to serious interventions on the animals or that would be 

associated with pain or suffering is strictly rejected. The IFS (International Featured Standard -Food) certification makes it clear that 

bosch pet food is produced according to food standards. www.bosch-tiernahrung.de 

Cama Group – Pet Food Competence 

Network (Hall 7A Stand 7A-516) Since 1981, CAMA is an 

international leading company whose core business is the engineering and the production of 

complete high technology secondary 

packaging systems for major multinational groups both in 

the food and non-food markets. Its 

outstanding packaging knowledge combined with a unique 

machine range (Packaging Division) 

and robotic loading units (Robotic Division), represent CAMA 

28 


INTERZOO 

capability to propose complete lines starting from the handling of primary packages such as flow-wraps, bags, trays…up to the supply 

of final carton/corrugated packaging ready for palletizing. www.camagroup.com/ 

Cetec Industries SAS (Hall4A Stand 4A-423) With over 40 years of experience in various fields such as pet food, animal feed Cetec 

Industries is specialized in complete packing lines from weighing to palletizing. Our multiformat baggers equipped with the latest 

generation magazines can handle any type of bags. Several closing solutions may be proposed (stitching, impulse sealing, sealing 

tape...). And palletizing is offered through cartesian palletizer technology or robot. Because preserving your products is our 

priority, our machine come with optional vacuum and gas flushing stations. https://www.cetec.net/ 

Clevertech - Pet Food Competence Network (Hall 7A Stand 7A-516) The Clevertech Group develops, 

produces and distributes machines and systems for automation in the final packaging 

sector. Over the years, the company has constantly evolved. Today, Clevertech's main 

goal is to be a partner to its customers in the development of integrated end-ofline 

packaging solutions. www.clevertech-group.com/de/ 

CONSTANTIA FLEXIBLES INTERNATIONAL GmbH (Hall 9 Stand 9-209) is one of 

the leading manufacturers of tailor-made flexible packaging solutions. The company 

has developed from a supplier with strong European regional focus into a global supplier 

which is active in the fast-growing market for flexible packaging. Constantia Flexibles stands for 

premium positioning, leading technology, customer proximity and highly efficient production 

facilities. https://www.cflex.com/ 

Coveris Management GmbH (Hall 6 Stand 6-254) is a leading European packaging company that manufactures flexible and 

sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most respected brands. Together with their customers, the company develops attractive 

and easy-to-use packaging that protects pet care. Through industry leading technical know-how, Coveris Management develops 

optimal packaging solutions that work to minimize waste and maximize impact. https://www.coveris.com/ 

Dogs FOOD&Supplements (Hall 4 Stand 4-520) offers an extensive range of multi-vitamins and dietary supplements for dogs and 

exclusively serves the B2B trade. The nutritional supplements are made from natural raw materials in 100 % food quality and round 

off a healthy diet for dogs. Some of these products can be used 

preventively and as a supplement to the daily diet. www.dogsfoods.de 

Elif (Hall 9 Stand 9-226) offers new flexible packaging solutions 

for the pet care market. Laminated packaging films and pre-made 

pouches provide improved packaging functionality, reduced 

spoilage, improved odor control, and opportunity for enhanced 

graphics. Elif’s laminated packaging films and pre-made pouches 

provide improved packaging functionality, reduced spoilage, 

improved odor control, and opportunity for enhanced graphics. 

While biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials like 

ElifCare match consumer demands for more sustainable packaging 

in pet food, the market has also shifted the type of aesthetic appeal 

of its packaging. Consumers also demand convenient packaging 

solutions when it comes to their pet food, especially for the ones 

in big sizes. Elif uses different types and sizes of pouches for the 

pet care industry and offers zippers, tear notches, different types 

of handling features, closures, and fitments. https://elif.com/ 

Ever Heard of Humic 

Acids WH67 ® ? 

Supports gut functions and 

gut microbiota! 

• Strengthens gut barrier 

• Improves belly comfort 

• Supports detoxification 

• Improves bioavailability 

of nutrients 

Meet us at 

Interzoo! 

Booth 

12.0 – 125 

GA Pet Food Partners (Hall 7 Stand 7-343) offers its partners 

around the world the opportunity to produce and distribute ownbrand 

dog and cat food. To ensure full traceability, the company 

sources fresh meat from well-known and trusted farms and 

fisheries. The meat is then gently cooked in a special process. 

www.ga-petfoodpartners.co.uk 

Gascogne Sacs SAS (Hall 4 Stand 4-148) offers a wide range of 

paper, plastic, hybrid & customized bags (sizes, compositions, 

shapes, prints, finishes, options…) and also provides a full range 

of monomaterial sustainable solutions (plastic & paper). Due to its 


info@gites-gmbh.de 

+49 25 81 / 94 10 20 

gites-gmbh.de 

29

INTERZOO 

network in 70 countries on on five continents, Gascogne is able to offer global and international, customers local services and tailored 

solutions. As a pioneer in forest certification and product traceability, Gascogne is a long-standing player in sustainable development 

for its sector. www.gascognesacs.com/en/ 

GELITA AG (Hall 12 Stand 12.0-523) is a supplier of pet food ingredients and provides premium fats, proteins, minerals, gelatin and 

collagen peptides for easy to digest pet foods. GELITA also offers nutritional supplements to improve the nutritional profile of pet 

foods and also pet food production process due to their techno-functional properties. The ingredients are natural, renewable raw 

materials, only derived from high quality animal products. They are made from only one species and are grain-free, gluten-free and 

allergen free. www.gelita.com/en 

GITES GmbH (Hall 12 Stand 12.0-125) To improve intestinal health, Gites offers natural supplementary feedstuffs for the farm animal 

and pet food industry. The natural ingredients are refined by patented processes in premium quality. To support and protect the 

animal’s key organs of the intestines and liver, GITES has developed a holistic product concept based on natural substances. The 

complementary feeds can be used in a variety of ways and are therefore efficient solution components for every feeding concept. 

www.gites-gmbh.de 

H von Gimborn GmbH (Hall 1 Stand 1-324) was foundet 1855 as a chemical-pharmaceutical factory by pharmacist Heinrich von 

Gimborn. Initially, the company focused on producing pastes and tablets for human consumption – analogous to today's products for 

animals. In 1965 the company created the first lactose-reduced milk for rearing kittens. Over time, the company expanded its focus to 

include dogs and its brand GimDog entered the pet food snack sector alongside GimCat. Since 1997, H von Gimborn creates cat litter 

from betonite, a naturally occurring clay found in Bavaria. https://www.gimborn.eu/de 

Handtmann, Albert Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG (Hall 5 Stand 5-207) develops modern systems for new production processes 

in the manufacture of pet food and at the same time provides impetus for new types of trend products and product innovations. 

Handtmann's range includes, for example, sausages in alginate casings or meat bars, dental cookies or pet food sausages in collagen 

casings. https://www.handtmann.de/ 

Henry Lamotte Oils GmbH (Hall 1 Stand 1-532) offers over 60 certified organic products for animal nutrition and care. From hemp 

seed, shea nuts, linseed, sunflower seeds and many other natural products natural oils and related products are extracted such as 

vegetable butters, waxes, seed flours and oleoresins. With its raw materials, the company supplies essential ingredients for highquality 

feed and animal care products. The products are supplied as premixes, as mixed feed for your wet and dry feed production, 

as supplementary feed or as high-quality, natural care products, right up to private label fillings. https://www.lamotte-oils.de/de/ 

HiProMine S.A. (Hall 4A Stand 4A-205) The biotech company was founded in 2015 by scientists in animal nutrition, is the answer 

for increasing meat and protein demand based on natural, circular, sustainable and eco-friendly solutions thanks to a unique insect 

farming model. HiProMine is focused on insect protein as an alternative for regular meat and meal. Regarding innovative technology 

of insect breeding, hatching and rearing the company is able to convert low energy organic by-products into high-quality nutrition 

material for pet food, aquaculture and livestock. HiProMine offers healthy and well-balanced insect protein in many forms as insect 

meat, insect meal, insect oil and also fertilizer made from insect's residues. ttps://hipromine.com/ 

Photos/Adobe Stock: Page 28/29 (273162497, 97589769, 277828530), Page 30 (270102054), Page 32 (51216074) 

Huhtamaki Flexible Plackaging Germany GmbH & Co.KG During the past 435 years, Huhtamaki developed from a modest paper 

mill in Ronsberg, Germany, to one of the world's most sophisticated packaging manufacturers, from a supplier of local dairy products 

to a global supplier of flexible packaging material, carving a niche in innovation and technology. Huthamaki offers smart packaging 

solutions for a strong, distinctive market presence and a long-term sales success of pet food products. Huhtamaki develops innovative 

packaging concepts for wet pet food that are safe 

and convenient for the consumer. https://www. 

huhtamaki.com/en-de/flexible-packaging 

JBT FTNON - Pet Food Competence Network (Hall 

7A Stand 7A-516) For more than 35 years, JBT FTNON 

has supplied the wet pet food industry with an 

economical and effective way of processing through 

steam technology. In combination with meat 

preparation, mixers, emulsifiers, breakers, hoppers, 

extruders and color injection, is the high-end partner 

in the industry. With a wide range of installations, our 

systems have been used very satisfactorily by many 

leading pet food manufacturers worldwide. Thanks 

to our advanced pet food technology our customers 

have been able to improve efficiency and optimize 

the quality of their products. To gain a foothold in 

30 


INTERZOO 

Scan 

GET TO MARKET SMARTER AND 

GET TO MARKET FASTER! 

Email: info@petfoodcompetencenet.com 

WWW.PETFOODCOMPETENCENET.COM 

24 - 27 MAY 

N U R E M B E R G, GERMANY 

HALL 8 / 8-40 4 

MonoFlex 

Recyclable monomaterials range 

MEET US AT 

INTERZOO 

HALL 6 / 6-254 


31

INTERZOO 

this market or to take existing products or plant to the next level or to exploit new technologies and discover greater economies, 

JBT FTNON offers full-spectrum supply and support at every single stage – from raw ingredients in, to pallets out – this is where the 

Petfood Competence Network becomes your most powerful ally. https://www.ftnon.com/ 

KARL SCHNELL - Pet Food Competence Network (Hall 7A Stand 7A-516) For more than 70 years the name KARL SCHNELL has 

become an international term in the food industry. Nowadays, the key business activities of KS are seen in the development and 

production of machines and lines for the industrial processing of meat, delicate food and pet food. KS offers a wide range of food 

processing machinery to the market, which encompasses a diversity of systems: from individual machines to complete production 

lines, from intake of raw materials to portioning, including the necessary planning and implementation, the installation and setting 

up, plus operator training for customers. https://www.karlschnell.de/en/ 

Kemin Nutrisurance Europe srl (Hall 12 Stand 12.0-310) offers industry-leading solutions for pet food manufacturers, renderers and 

ingredient suppliers. With specialized expertise in oxidation control, food safety, palatability and nutrition, Kemin Nutrisurance Europe 

provides support through every step of of pet food production. When creating a new pet food brand, it is necessary to understands all 

phases of the pet food and rendering manufacturing process because changes to a single formula specification can affect everything 

from pet food diet stability to palatability. Kemin Nutrisurance appreciates and understands how raw materials, production processes 

and other factors can impact the final pet food diet and is focused on providing industry-leading products and services that meet 

stabilization, palatability, ingredient exclusion and formulation needs. https://www.kemin.com/eu/en/markets/petfood-rendering 

Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG (Hall 4A Stand 4A-318) Founded in 1843, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG has been driving 

forward the development, production and distribution of high-performance machinery for food processing for more than 175 years. 

Seydelmann has a leading global position as a manufacturer of machines for food processing. Customers in small and medium-sized 

businesses, as well as in large corporations on all five continents and in more than 150 countries rely on Seydelmann cutters, mixers, 

grinders and emulsifiers. The company also has many years of expertise in the development of entire production lines. https://www. 

seydelmann.com/ 

Middleby Processing and Packaging, Maurer-Atmos (Hall 1 Stand 1-319) Middleby GmbH Global manufacturing, sales and support 

meet increasing demands for advanced technologies in food pet production. Innovative, best-in-class equipment solutions for both 

high volume and smaller producers. We cover processes from raw material preparation and production to product packaging for retail 

and food service applications. Our equipment improves pet food production to maximize performance and output to the highest 

quality standards. http://www.middprocessing.com/ 

Protix BV (Hall 2 Stand 2-633) is the leading insect company in circular, natural, and sustainable proteins from insects. Our mission is 

to bring the food system back in balance with nature. Insects are part of the solution to the protein crisis while building a natural and 

circular food system with minimized food waste. The larvae of the black soldier fly (hermetia illucens) provide us with a unique source 

of protein for food and feed. We are the market leader when it comes to high-quality and scalable insect ingredients production. Our 

belief in the power of the insect inspires the passion and creativity that makes us successful. https://protix.eu/ 

Symrise Pet Food (Hall 2 Stand 2-423) Since March 2022, Diana Pet Food, ADF, IsoNova and Schaffelaarbos joined forces to become 

Symrise Pet Food. Symrise Pet Food, part of the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment of Symrise, is the global leader of high-value solutions 

improving pets’ well-being. The division provides multiple products and services im-proving pet food palatability, pet nutrition and pet 

food protection. Symrise Pet Food is present on five continents with 1,500 employees, 31 industrial sites, and four expert measurement 

centers with 1,100 cats and dogs. Within the Symrise Group, Symrise Taste, Nutrition & Health leverages Group capabilities to provide 

advanced natural health & well-being nutrition solutions for the human food, pet food and aquafeed industries. https://petfood. 

symrise.com/emea-en/ 

VEMAG Maschinenbau GmbH ( Hall 4A Stand 4A-320) is one of the leading machine manufacturers for filling, portioning, dividing, 

shaping and depositing pastes, doughs 

and mixes. Its portfolio ranges from small-scale solutions to highly industrialized 

applications and modular production lines. Gentle, economic handling of raw materials and efficient 

flexibility in 

meeting individual customer requirements are two of the company's significant 

success factors. The concept is to establish a modular system comprising standard 

fillers and tailored attachments that can be flexibly adapted to specific user 

requirements. This allows efficient solutions covering production capacity for all users - 

from artisan producers to large companies - as well as applications ranging from the 

filling or portioning process, shaping and grinding applications, the splitting of dough 

and mixes, through to innovative portion-to-pack solutions. https://www.vemag.de/ 

32 


INTERZOO 

Whole range of 

extruded pet 

food solutions. 

High sanitation standards, excellent 

workmanship and an outstanding 

price performance ratio make the 

Single-Screw Extruder the ideal 

solution in the field of Pet Food 

Extrusion. 

Find out more: 

www.buhlergroup.com/sse 

extrusion@buhlergroup.com 

Innovations Issue 2 2022 for a better world. 

33

MARKETING 

PetFood Success Through 

Packaging Competence 

Photos: CETEC 

The French company CETEC Industries 

was founded 50 years ago in Périgueux in 

the beautiful Dordogne region of southwestern 

France. Started in 1971, Jean- 

Claude Labrue has seen the company 

grow and become a valued specialist in 

weighing, bagging and palletizing for 

dry pet food, with customers all over the 

world. 

Following years of manufacturing 

customized equipment for fruits and 

some pet food, including providing 

services, a breakthrough came in 1982 

when a well-known petfood manufacturer 

commissioned a new bag filling machine; 

this machine became a reference for other 

companies for different bag sizes and 

expanded to include weighing equipment 

and later also a palletizer. 

Nowadays specialist weighers are 

integrated into the lines as unique designs 

including specific patents are developed. 

Some complete packaging lines are made 

up of 4-5 individual machines. Major 

petfood manufacturers in France equip all 

their new factories with CETEC packaging 

lines. 

Régis Labrue started working in the 

company in 1996 and followed his uncle 

as CEO in 2009. “In the meantime we have 

installed over 2500 machines. Petfood 

equipment is almost half of our total 

business, with cereals, dried fruit, rice and 

milk powder also important to us, as well 

as some non-food applications. We can 

work with all dry products that need to 

be bagged. We sell equipment all over the 

world, and were especially proud to help 

United Petfood in Spain recently increase 

their capacity by 1800 bags per hour with 

a new machine.“ 

CETEC’s 90 employees cover the whole 

range of packaging technology, including 

the design of new machinery, the 

production and assembly of whole lines, 

as well as the complete service support 

until the function is assured on site at the 

customer. Training is also guaranteed, as 

well as regular preventive maintenance 

checks and spare parts where necessary. 

In 2019 capacity at the original workshop 

was extended by 2000 m2. The company 

provides apprenticeships and vocational 

training for local workers in a variety 

of jobs; this can cover all aspects of 

the business, both commercial and 

technical from mechanical and electrical 

engineering, design and laser technology 

and even painting the equipment, 

according to customer wishes. 

Tha packaging lines are mostly custombuilt 

to meet individual manufacturer’s 

needs. These start with bag closing, 

where industry standards are exceeded, 

through patented versions such as some 

easy open and closing technologies. 

Weighing equipment, including 

checkweighing, can be supplied from the 

smallest to the largest amounts and for all 

kinds of packages and sizes, such as preformed 

paper and plastic bags as well 

as tubular film and big bags. Everything 

can be controlled by touchscreen and is 

easily dismantled for regular cleaning and 

the avoidance of cross-contamination. 

Wrapping and palletization solutions are 

also designed to meet customer needs 

and are adapted to size, height, pallet 

patterns and materials with or without 

inlay or protective sheets. The line controls 

are also state-of-the-art electronics with 

stored product recipes and automatic 

34 


MARKETING 

format changes. Maintenance can be 

local or remote. More and more lines are 

automated and also supplied by CETEC 

with the required robotic technology. 

Petfood is especially important for 

CETEC, as discussed by Valérie Lapierre, 

Export Sales Manager: “Requirements in 

the petfood sector are very precise and 

challenging. Product security is especially 

important. Snacks such as dog biscuits are 

a good example of this.“ 

Régis Labrue admits to being surprised 

by the current growth in the pet food 

industry, but trusts in CETEC’s readiness to 

serve the industry: “The petfood market is 

very dynamic and customers are always 

looking for new options. Green solutions 

are being sought, with a return to paper 

packaging wherever possible. Since 

we provide customized equipment, we 

are prepared to grow in all geographic 

regions. In Europe we have customers 

in all countrires. There are also many 

potential discussions in the USA, which 

is of course, an enormous market. Since 

our equipment is always different, we are 

used to meeting new challenges and look 

forward to the coming years. In France it 

is quite typical that the machine has to 

adapt to the client. We grow with them.“ 


www.cetec.net 

We will be in hall 4A / booth 423 


35

PROCESSING 

Customized Solution for Pet Food 

Processing 

Multi-lane Dosing of Chunky Fresh Food (BARF) Direct Into Thermoformed Trays 

Photos: Handtmann 

BARF products in thermoformed trays 

A common trend in dog food is raw feeding. 

On the context of which the abbreviation 

“BARF” stands for “Biologically Appropriate 

Raw Food”. The nutrition is based on what 

dogs have naturally eaten for thousands 

of years: fresh meat, offal, bones, fur, 

plant components and fat. The sinewy 

and tough components pose a major 

challenge for the accurate-to-the-gram 

portioning within the production process. 

The customer requirement was thus 

an automated, multi-lane and highperformance 

depositing station for filling 

chunky and sinewy BARF fresh meat 

directly into a thermo-forming packaging 

line. A team of internationally experienced 

technical experts worked exclusively for 

this Handtmann Customized Solutions 

at the Biberach and the Netherlands 

Amersfoort sites, developing a customized 

solution needed for this individual 

production process – from product 

filling and dosing all the way through to 

packaging. The standard Handtmann DV 

85-3 dosing valve featuring the patented 

“pulling cut function” already met these 

requirements very well and was the basis 

for the customised depositing station. 

In close cooperation with the customer, 

a customised 4-lane depositing station 

was developed, each lane with two 

dosing valves positioned in series. In one 

dosing process, eight portions are filled 

directly and synchronously into a thermoforming 

packaging line. Portioning 

using a Handtmann VF 838 vacuum 

filler in combination with the FST 546- 

8 flow divider enables precise and clean 

portioning at each of the eight dosing 

points. As a cost-efficient production 

starts with accurate portioning the basic 

process step of portioning remains the 

critical link in the process for cost-efficient 

production and the decisive criterion 

for the quality of the final product. With 

this in mind, the aim is to eliminate the 

unnecessary over-portioning and giveaway 

of expensive material such as BARF 

fresh meat and to convey the processed 

HCS Dosing Solution for BARF 

36 


PROCESSING 

product in a very careful way that retains 

its quality. The cost-effectiveness of 

production therefore depends decisively 

on the accuracy of the portioning 

process, which in turn depends heavily 

on the underlying conveying principle. 

Handtmann vacuum fillers work on the 

portioning principle of the vane cell feed 

system, which sets standards in terms 

of portioning accuracy and product 

protection. This weight accuracy remains 

the decisive feature in cost-optimised 

production, as every gram too much 

represents an unnecessary increase in 

production costs. 

About Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik 

GmbH & Co. KG: 

Handtmann Maschinenfabrik is part of the widely 

diversified Handtmann Group of Companies and business 

division of filling and portioning systems. Worldwide 

sales and distribution are currently conducted through 

14 sales and service companies in the core markets as 

well as 60 commercial agents. The customer base of the 

two manufacturers includes both small-scale producers 

and start-ups as well as medium-sized companies and 

industrial enterprises from all over the world. 


www.handtmann.com/food 

We will be in Hall 5 / 5-207 

hall 8 booth 8-110 

YOUR CATCH 

OF THE DAY. 

Discover high quality and reliable 

bulk material handling for 

pet food production. 

Plant engineering 

from a single source. 

Our innovative systems and 

solutions for the production 

of dry and wet pet food will 

fascinate you. We offer you 

highly efficient technologies 

for almost all processing steps, 

with decades of experience in 

bulk material handling and food 

processing. 

Plus, 24/7 service and a spare 

parts supply for many years to 

come. For permanently smooth 

production. 

Catchy, isn’t it? 

zeppelin-systems.com 


37

PROCESSING 

Solutions for a Sustainable Planet 

Bühler builds large-scale insect plant for Agronutris in France. 

commissioning. “The new project with 

Agronutris is a milestone for us. It confirms 

our goal of establishing ourselves as a key 

solution provider for the insect industry 

and to increase the inclusion of insect 

proteins in animal feed. Our solutions 

contribute to more sustainable feed 

supply chains,” says Andreas Baumann, 

Head of Market Segment Insect 

Technology at Bühler. 

Agronutris Plant Processing 

French insect producer Agronutris has 

chosen Bühler Group as its process 

solution provider for its first commercial 

scale black soldier fly plant. Bühler will 

deliver a full-scope solution for the facility, 

which will be built in Rethel, France. This 

collaboration is a major milestone for 

both organizations. It reinforces Bühler’s 

commitment to ambitious targets that 

will help mitigate climate change and 

build a more sustainable food system 

and supports Agronutris’ goal to establish 

itself as a world leader for sustainable 

nutrition. The plant is planned to go into 

operation in 2023. 

The 16,000 square meter insect plant in 

Rethel, France, when operating at full 

capacity, will process up to 70,000 tons 

of organic residues and produce highquality 

protein for the aquaculture and pet 

food markets every year. “With the launch 

of this new site, Agronutris is entering 

its industrial deployment stage. The 

facility of Rethel will be our springboard 

for the further industrial development 

of our activity,” says Mehdi Berrada, CEO 

of Agronutris. “Bühler is a world-leading 

company with a tremendous experience 

in the food and feed sector. We trust in 

their capabilities to support us in the 

insect industry. This allows our teams 

to focus on our core activities: insect 

biology and operational management 

of our production flow. Our research 

and development activities make for our 

competitive advantage.” 

Bühler’s solutions for Agronutris will cover 

the entire supply chain. This includes 

feedstock preparation to provide safe, 

palatable, and nourishing feed to the 

larvae and a fully automated larvae 

growth system with sophisticated climate 

control. Bühler will also deliver the 

processing line to efficiently transform the 

grown larvae into protein meal and lipids 

with consistent quality, as well as the frass 

(excrement) handling system for a secure 

offtake of the rearing residues. 

In addition, Bühler will be responsible 

for the entire automation and the 

timely project execution. The latter 

encompasses engineering, procurement, 

manufacturing, supply, installation, and 

Agronutris Plant Rearing 

Growing demand 

To feed 10 billion people who are expected 

to live on our planet by 2050, about 250 

million metric tons of additional protein 

will be necessary every year. This is an 

increase of 50% compared to today. The 

industry must address this challenge 

with a more sustainable production of 

existing sources of protein as well as 

alternative sources for direct human 

and animal consumption. Edible insects 

can play a unique role in upcycling food 

waste streams to high-quality proteins, 

which makes them an increasingly 

important source of protein while being 

environmentally friendly. 

The market of insect proteins as feed is 

expected to significantly grow in the next 

ten years. The total turnover of insect feed 

operators is expected to achieve EUR 2.2 

billion per year by the end of the decade. 

This growth will be led by two main 

Photos: Bühler Group 

38 


PROCESSING 

sectors: the aquaculture sector, which 

will make up for 30% of sales volumes of 

insect producers by 2030, and the petfood 

sector, which will account for 40% of the 

insect protein sales volumes by 2030. 

Agronutris aims to contribute to the 

emergence of this industry and to 

become one of the global leaders of the 

sector. The growth of its team (joined 

by entomologists and agro-industry 

experts), its recent fundraising of EUR 100 

million, and the collaboration with major 

companies such as Bühler, are some of 

the factors that will allow the company to 

live up to this ambition. 

Bühler is committed to reduce water, 

energy, and waste by 50% in its 

customers’ value chains by 2025. This will 

help mitigate climate change and be the 

foundation of a more sustainable food 

system. Insects offer a unique opportunity. 

They are not only a healthy source of 

protein for food and feed, but they can be 

fed on waste, therefore converting food 

waste into protein. And their frass can be 

used as a fertilizer. That is why they are 

an important pillar in Bühler’s strategy to 

become the leader in sustainable proteins 

for food and feed. 

Agronutris Plant 

Andreas Baumann, 

Head of Market 

Segment Insect 

Technology, Bühler 

Mehdi Berrada, CEO of 

Agronutris 


www.buehlergroup.com 

> extruders > feeders > components > pneumatic conveying > complete systems 

COPERION COMPONENTS. 

SMART SOLUTIONS FOR 

PET FOOD PROCESSING. 

+ Innovative sanitary design ideal for quick changeover and cleaning 

+ High accuracy feeders for optimal ingredient delivery 

+ Integrated systems controls for all operations – including Coperion’s ZSK extruder 

+ All systems designed in accordance with GFSI and FSMA safety standards 


Safe pet food and ingredient handling. Coperion and Coperion K-Tron’s line of 

feeding and pneumatic conveying components offer the highest in efficiency 

and safety standards for pet food processing. www.coperion.com/petfood 

39

PROCESSING 

Efficient and Safe Production of 

Pet Food 

Avoiding interface problems through efficient and safe production of pet food 

from Zeppelin Systems every day. 

by Ingo Pütz 

The production of pet food requires 

efficient production lines with high 

availability rates and reproducible 

quality. This only works with optimal 

system technology and processes 

that are designed to meet the specific 

requirements of the product in question. 

This article shows what else is important. 

Pets have not only been popular 

companions since the Corona pandemic; 

in Germany alone, almost every second 

household has some sort of pet. As a 

result, the demand for high-quality pet 

food is increasing, and this is happening 

worldwide. "The USA, Europe and Asia are 

still growing markets in terms of pet food, 

and this means that we are in demand 

as plant manufacturers," says Ingo Pütz, 

responsible for global sales at Zeppelin 

Systems in Rödermark, describing the 

market situation. 

In addition, the technological demands 

on plants and components are growing, 

as Pütz explains, "Pet food formulas now 

consist of 20 to 50 different raw materials, 

each of which has its own unique 

properties." This can be extruded material 

that is mixed in particularly gently or a 

moisture-sensitive raw material that has 

to be conveyed in a very dry state. Smooth 

production therefore requires not only 

knowing the properties of a wide range 

of products, but also understanding 

the process down to the last detail. 

"Ultimately, the consumer must be able to 

rely on the feed always having the exact 

composition as well as the same shape 

and consistency. The feed must neither 

stick nor crumble," says Pütz, describing 

the difficult balance. 

Flexibility in plants is a 

necessity 

In general, the production quality 

requirements for pet food are similar 

to those of human food. Among other 

things, this means eliminating or 

minimizing cross-contamination, easy 

to clean, maintaining clean production 

and compliance with hygiene standards. 

And as with food for humans, pet 

food is subject to special scrutiny and 

requires, for example, extremely accurate 

measurement technology. Moreover, 

in pet food, new formula concepts are 

being developed to meet the needs of 

individual animals, whether young, old, 

prone to obesity, wheat intolerant, etc. 

At the same time, manufacturers must be 

able to deal with changing raw materials 

- for example, some raw materials used 

to be available as powders, but are now 

marketed as granules. Raw materials 

may also vary from region to region. 

Photos: Zeppelin Systems 

These variations can, for example, affect 

different bulk densities, which in turn 

affects handling. Manufacturers therefore 

require a very high degree of flexibility in 

their plants. It must be possible to adapt 

them without major conversions. High 

reliability and availability of the plants, 

which run around the clock, are a given. 

Coordinated plant processes 

Zeppelin Systems accompanies 

almost every processing stage in pet 

food production. This starts with raw 

material intake, through filling into 

the silos, grinding technology, up to 

recipe-accurate dosing including inline 

screening machines upstream of the 

mixers and gentle dense phase conveying. 

Drying and coating processes have to 

be integrated just as much as systems 

40 


PROCESSING 

for dust removal, temperature control, 

quality assurance measures, and concepts 

for explosion protection. A striking feature 

of developments in recent years: Plants 

are being operated ever closer to their 

peak performance without diminishing 

any accuracy. "This can only be achieved 

by keeping an eye on the entire raw 

material handling process. We master all 

process steps and the respective process 

and measurement technology. That's why 

we can offer comprehensive, perfectly 

coordinated solutions from a single 

source," Pütz explains further. 

Kibbles without break 

At first glance, the individual process 

steps do not appear complicated, yet 

the processes are changing. For example, 

gentle pneumatic conveying of dry feed 

now plays an increasingly important role. 

Neither the animal lover nor the producer 

wants to find crumbs in the feed. With 

Dense-Tec conveying and sometimes 

extended lines, conveying succeeds 

without destroying the structure of the 

raw materials. Dense-Tec is mainly used 

in the pet food industry as a continuous 

conveying system, because the individual 

process steps, such as cooling or coating, 

are also mainly carried out continuously. 

Precise dosing of even the 

smallest quantities 

When weighing and dosing very small 

quantities, such as vitamins, components 

in the 2-3 kilogram range have to be 

added evenly distributed throughout 

mixtures weighing several tons. "We 

have developed innovative manual 

and automated solutions especially 

for these small components," reports 

Pütz. For example, Zeppelin Systems 

offers customized solutions ranging 

from components for batch weighing 

to differential scales including controls. 

For handling liquids, on the other hand, 

volumetric systems or gravimetrically 

operating components such as liquid 

scales and mass flow meters are used. "It 

is crucial that the dosing and weighing is 

done accurately contamination-free," Pütz 

lists additionally. "After all, ingredients are 

being scrutinized more and more critically 

by consumers." 

High demands on hygiene and 

quality 

Hygiene requirements have also 

increased in the pet food sector and are 

now oriented toward the food industry. 

"For example, we have long relied only 

on stainless steel in our plants," says 

Pütz "Batches have to be traceable just 

as they are in human food. This is where 

the process management system we 

developed helps." This logs every change 

in the recipe and allows all raw materials 

supplied and batches delivered to be 

traced. All production data, batch records, 

etc. are archived and can be retrieved at 

any time. Accordingly, there is greater 

focus on control, automation and 

documentation. This gives the consumer 

peace of mind. 

Summary and outlook 

Regional differences require countryspecific 

solutions. Since production 

follows the customer, plant engineering 

know-how is needed directly on site. 

Zeppelin Systems is globally oriented, 

which ensures nationwide support. 

Moreover, digital services, such as remote 

access to the plants, are now part of 

everyday life. 

Another topic of concern to the pet food 

industry is energy use and efficiency levels. 

This is particularly important for large 

plants with higher conveying capacities, 

for example, 40 to 60 tons per hour. "We 

supply solutions that allow more output 

from the plants. For example, we replace 

mechanical conveyors with pneumatic 

ones because they deliver faster and 

display higher performance with larger 

volumes. They also work more energyefficiently, 

can cover greater distances, 

and require less maintenance," says Pütz, 

listing one example, but concluding 

with a completely different yet decisive 

factor for success: "Our customers don't 

really care how their process works; 

they want process reliability and high 

plant availability. We ensure this with 

on-site service, but also with intelligent 

automation technology and a wide range 

of sensors that safeguard the process. 

The Autor 

Ingo Pütz ist General Manager Sales Food 

Processing Plant at Zeppelin Systems 

GmbH 


www.zeppelin.com/de-en/ 


41

PACKAGING 

Perfect Packs for Quality Pet 

Food 

Coveris Group specializes in paper 

and plastic based flexible packaging 

solutions for all kinds of products – 

from food to pet food, from medical 

devices to agricultural products. 

Through a broad range of technical 

expertise, the high-quality packaging 

extends product shelf-life and this 

helps to reduce waste and save 

resources. Coveris works together 

with customers to develop new and 

sustainable packaging solutions. The 

pet food packaging core is in Firminy, 

near Lyon in France. Ian Healey went 

to visit. 

Under the leadership of CEO Jakob 

A. Moser, Coveris has bundled its 

solutions in three Business Units, 

specialized in films, flexible packaging 

and paper with 29 production sites and 

4100 employees in six countries. 

In Firminy, Montfaucon and Saint-Palde-Mons, 

films for dry pet food are 

extruded, printed and converted on 

site. Nicolas Plantec is the Segment 

Lead Pet Food: “Coveris has invested 

around EUR 230 million upgrading 

existing production lines and bringing 

in new technology. In addition, the 

business grew through strategic 

acquisitions. With its R&D centers and 

labs Coveris anticipates market trends, 

tests and develops state-of-the-art, 

high quality and sustainable packaging 

solutions. 

“Changing specifications of packaging 

and structures are continually updated, 

tested and validated, through technical 

labs. This ensures that the best 

possible shelf-life can be achieved. 

Quality certification is complete and 

up to date: ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 

and the SMETA 4 pillar ethical audit 

assessments." 

Eric Valette, R&D Director BU Flexible, 

added: “In Coveris’ Pack Positive 

Center, ideas and brainstorming 

sessions can quickly lead to customized 

solutions, following which 

mock-up packages can be made to 

test customers innovation wishes. In 

Coveris’ Pack Innovation Centre, pilot 

lines run tests on equipment similar to 

the customer’s own, which irons out 

potential problems and saves time at 

final trials." 

“Sustainability is important to Coveris, 

as a packaging company. Our NO 

WASTE vision sees a target of reducing 

waste in packaging, in products and in 

operations. Employees are challenged 

and invited to send ideas which can 

support this vision,“ summarized Marion 

Schmitt, Marketing Communications 

Manager. 

Coveris in Firminy is proud to be a 

pioneer in pet food packaging. The 

company was one of the first to produce 

pre-made plastic bags and have 

channeled this extensive experience 

to offer a full range of packaging on 

state-of-the-art machinery. The range 

includes quadroseal, pouches, flat 

bottom bags and FFS. These can be 

manufactured, printed and supplied 

on reels or as pre-made bags and 

delivered with a full range of closures, 

including zip fasteners. 

Monomaterial developments 

MonoFlexE is a mono-material option, 

which is easy to recycle. It is available 

for dry pet food packaging, including 

snacks and treats. Designed using 

100% polyethylene, it works for both 

form-fill-seal and pre-made bags. 

MonoFlexE stands out on the shelf 

with various finishing options, including 

both matt and high gloss finish, and 

improved printing possibilities, ensuring 

the graphics catch the consumer’s 

eye. Moreover, the increased stiffness 

of the material and the equivalent 

machinability as standard PET/ 

PE makes it very straightforward 

to introduce MonoFlexE to existing 

production lines. The advantages of 

Coveris films are retained including 

enhanced convenience for opening 

and reclosing, as well as an attractive, 

Photos: Coveris 

Among many potential 

packaging materials available 

for pet food, the MonoFlex 

product range stands out, 

since it is recyclable and much 

thinner than standard films. 

42 


PACKAGING 

premium look at POS. These strengths 

– combined with 100% recyclability, 

thanks to the mono-material – meet 

the needs for more flexible and 

sustainable solutions in the pet food 

market. 

Demavic bags 

for therapeutic 

pet food range 

are made from 

MonoFlexE film. 

Coveris offers a wide range of 

MonoFlex solutions depending on the 

respective product requirements. 

Together with customers we 

find the best solution for pet 

food 

When the French manufacturer 

Demavic looked for a unique package 

design to meet new recycling 

regulations, they turned to Coveris. 

Demavic needed help in designing 

bags for their new product launch 

that answer these demands. "When 

we decided to launch a new range of 

therapeutic pet food, we had to think 

about the distribution channels we 

would select. To attract consumers 

to buy this type of product, we 

had to take into consideration their 

expectations, particularly with regards 

to packaging and environmental 

protection," explained Olivier Poupon, 

Demavic Buyer. 

Coveris' response was a quadroseal 

bag, designed using the proven 

MonoFlexE polyethylene film, which 

monomaterial structure allows easier 

recycling in the existing plastic 

streams. Additionally, Coveris’ team 

manufactured two variants of the 

bags from three up to 10 kilograms, 

which includes a front zip to allow 

easy opening and resealing for 

extended freshness of the kibbles for 

the three kilogram format. The new 

solution offers customers the same 

convenience and product protection 

as the standard designs, while 

minimizing waste. 

The biggest challenge was to produce 

monomaterial bags in 10 kilograms 

as it was the first enquiry from a 

customer for monomaterial bags 

in this size. With the support of 

Coveris’ R&D team, the bigger bags 

successfully met all the product 

tests. The equivalent machinability as 

standard PET/PE material convinced 

Demavic that introducing MonoFlexE 

to existing production lines will 

be a straightforward process. The 

products, 100% made in France, 

including the kibbles, packaging and 

label, were launched on the French 

market in the summer of 2021 in 

large and in specialized food stores. 

“The combination of full recyclability 

of the monomaterial, the prolonged 

freshness thanks to the front zip 

and the enhanced graphics met all 

the customer's needs. As a result, 

the new bag created a user and 

environmentally friendly image for 

Demavic's therapeutic pet food 

brand,” summarized Jérôme Detais, 

Commercial Manager at Coveris. 

"Thanks to the dedication of our 

team in Firminy, we were able to 

help Demavic successfully launch 

the new therapeutic pet food range 

to French supermarkets and fulfil all 

requirements in terms of sustainability 

with our new MonoFlexE product 

range " said Nicolas Plantec. 

Coveris and Ultra Premium 

Direct present new recyclable 

pet food bags 

In France, one person in two owns 

a pet, which totals 14.2 million cats 

and 7.4 million dogs. Just like their 

European neighbors, the French 

people prefer natural pet food with 

minimal processing and without 

unnecessary additives. The healthy 

lifestyle trend keeps rising thanks to 

the recent growth of the e-commerce 

market in France. Since the beginning 

of the pandemic, it reached a turnover 

of EUR 460 million, which represents 

12% of the overall pet food turnover 

in France. 

Nicolas Plantec 

Segment Lead Pet Food 

Jérôme Detais 

Commercial Manager 

Eric Valette 

R&D Director BU Flexibles 

Marion Schmitt, Marketing & 

Communications Manager 


43

PACKAGING 

Photos: Coveris 

PROTEIN BOOST is packed in single 

material polyethylene which is easily 

recycled. Kibble preservation and 

freshness is guaranteed to ensure perfect 

organoleptic properties. 

Ultra Premium Direct, a French 

manufacturer of natural premium pet 

food, has taken into account the needs 

of modern pet lovers and developed 

a new product range in France called 

PROTEIN BOOST. This innovative 

food line offers the best nutrition 

by combining kibbles made without 

cereals and freeze-dried pieces of raw 

chicken and trout dried in the cold. 

The new product range is available for 

online purchase at the Ultra Premium 

Direct’s website from December 2021. 

Ultra Premium Direct approached 

Coveris, one of Europe's leading pet 

food packaging manufacturers, for 

their expertise in forward-thinking, 

sustainable packaging to support the 

launch of PROTEIN BOOST. Coveris’ 

MonoFlexE monomaterial solution for 

bags is fully recyclable, offers product 

protection and achieves premium 

shelf appeal. The premade bags are 

manufactured from a single material, 

polyethylene, which allows easier 

recycling. Additionally, they guarantee 

the same properties as standard PET/ 

PE materials, i.e. preservation and 

freshness of the food, keeping all the 

organoleptic properties of the kibbles 

for better taste. 

The range is available in two bag 

sizes: 3 and 8kg. "In order to meet 

the growing need for convenience, we 

equipped our bags with a top slider 

to allow them to be opened and 

closed easily and safely", said Jérôme 

Detais. The matte finish of the bag 

allows the graphic visuals to stand out 

more, including the dog of the famous 

French blogger Coralie, author of the 

Elles en Parlent blog, who promotes 

the new pet food brand. 

"We are delighted to collaborate with 

Coveris in the launch of our new 

PROTEIN BOOST range. With French 

manufacturing of our kibbles and 

packaging bags, we are offering a 

product that is 100% made in France," 

emphasised Clémence Lavenu, 

Product Manager at Ultra Premium 

Direct. 

The new bags will be on display at 

Coveris stand no. 254 in hall 6 at the 

upcoming Interzoo 2022 trade show 

between 24-27 th May in Nuremberg, 

Germany. 

Exciting future ahead 

Nicolas Plantec: “The pet food industry 

continues to develop. Different ingredients 

have different effects on 

packaging. New food formulations 

bring different specifications regarding, 

for example, aroma and odors. 

Also the new recipes with less meat 

proteins mean products have different 

densities and weights. All these bring 

new packaging challenges.“ 

Jérôme Detais underlines these 

changes: “The growth in insect 

proteins is huge. Also vegan and vegetarian 

recipes have an increasing 

potential. This leads, however, to 

more specific products and shorter 

packaging runs. Premium solutions 

become more important. In packaging 

technology flexibility is sometimes 

more important than volume. This is 

a new kind of challenge for packaging 

manufacturers. We can adapt to this!“ 

Eric Valette is very much in favor 

of reducing waste: “The switch to 

monomaterials makes recycling much 

easier. With some products a minimum 

order is necessary, since the set up on 

a 70 m long machine creates a certain 

amount of waste. On the other hand 

PE is something of a closed loop, 

since the off-cuts from the bags can 

be collected and recycled, through 

regrinding. This supports Coveris’ NO 

WASTE strategy.“ 

The final word belongs to Nicolas 

Plantec: “We are here to serve our 

customers with our state-of-theart 

packaging solutions and our 

understanding of the market trends.“ 

The new technical development center 

offers the latest state-of-the-art packaging 

and testing machinery for a wide range of 

industrial trials. 


www.coveris.com 

44 


Sustainable Packaging and 

Sealing Machinery Solution for 

Hug Pet Foods 

PACKAGING 

Demonstrating the versatility of its packaging, Colpac has customised its award winning, recyclable Stagione® 

range to create a future-proof solution for Hug PET FOODS. 

A cost effective and agile solution was 

also required for the branding of the 

pots. Not only should the branding reflect 

the quality of the brand but again Hug 

required flexibility as the ingredients 

within its dishes are continually evolving. 

Colpac’s solution was a full colour printed 

sleeve to be fitted onto the packs for each 

of the different flavour combinations with 

a space for an inkjet label for ingredients, 

best before date and serving/cooking 

instructions. 

Hug PET FOODS also uses the same 

solution in the smaller 225ml and 450ml 

Souper Pots with sleeves for cat food. 

Hug PET FOODS is a premium producer of high quality, ethically sourced and nutrientrich 

whole food for cats and dogs 

The result not only meets the premium 

pet food producer’s high quality and 

sustainable objectives, but responds to 

demands for flexibility, catering to the 

evolving ingredients of the company’s 

product range. 

A premium producer of high quality, 

ethically sourced and nutrient-rich whole 

food for cats and dogs, Hug PET Food 

ranges are formulated to maximise pets’ 

quality of life and are sold online and 

through pet food suppliers across the UK. 

The company required a packaging 

solution which was simple, effective, 

and represented the premium Hug 

brand, whilst also being multifaceted in 

its performance to manage the diverse 

range of pet food dishes produced. 

recycle the packaging within current and 

future guidelines was equally important. 

Initially the proposition was for sealed, 

lidded, individually printed packs. 

However, with 28 different recipes and 

a continual process of scientifically 

adjusting and improving these recipes, 

bespoke printing the bases, was not an 

economical or flexible enough option for 

Hug’s business model. 

Colpac worked closely with Hug to find a 

future-proof solution. The first stage of this 

was the sealing of the Stagione® bases. 

Due to the rigid roll top construction of 

the range, they are ideal for this, and with 

the same top out size for the selected 

750ml and 1000ml Stagione® bases, only 

one size tool was required. 

“When it comes to feeding healthy, happy 

pets, Hug PET FOODS don’t believe in 

compromise,” comments Kate Berry, 

Colpac’s Head of Marketing & Product. 

“Colpac are well placed to meet this 

approach as we can customise our 

ranges to meet the specific needs of our 

customers. Our Stagione® range is highly 

versatile and meets the complex needs of 

manufacturers with a range of different 

dishes.” 

Due to the success of the Stagione® packs, 

last year Colpac doubled the size of the 

range and there are now seven different 

sizes ranging from 150ml to 1250ml. 

Reflecting Colpac’s ongoing commitment 

to sustainable food packaging solutions, 

the recyclable Stagione® range is 

manufactured from mixed FSC® certified 

board, meeting the coating levels for CPI 

and OPRL’s recyclability thresholds and is 

future proof for 2023 and beyond. 

Hug were immediately drawn to Colpac’s 

award winning Stagione® range for 

its unique shape, stack-ability and 

performance that allowed both freezing, 

and microwave heating. The ability to 

Colpac initially recommended the Colseal® 

SL1200, however additional functionality 

was required such as Inkjet Coding and a 

conveyor unit, and an alternative solution 

was developed. 


www.colpacpackaging.com 


45

PACKAGING 

Fastening the Future of Pet Food 

Photos: Aplix 

The French family company APLIX is now in 

the third generation and has perfected the 

production and commercialization of hook 

and loop fastening systems. As a global 

partner, APLIX has six production plants 

and sales offices all over the world. 

“Our position as a major player on the 

international market 

allows us to 

support our 

customers 

across the 

world and 

provide 

them with 

innovative 

solutions 

tailored to 

their specific 

needs.” said 

Sandrine PELLETIER, 

APLIX Group CEO. 

Among all its innovations, APLIX has 

developed a reclosable technology 

especially favored by dry pet food 

packages. 

Easylock: an intuitive & sensory 

closure for flexible packaging 

Easylock by Aplix® is a range of intuitive 

and sensory closures for flexible packaging. 

This patented hook-to-hook closure is 

made from food-grade, heat-sealable 

polyethylene material, designed to be 

sealed on film. Self-mating micro hooks 

engage on multiple levels, making it 

easy for anyone to open and reclose 

their flexible packaging. 

“The origins of Easylock came from a 

need on the market,“ said Aude Cellerier, 

Product Manager for Easylock at APLIX. 

“A tobacco producer was looking for an 

alternative to an adhesive or zip fastener. 

They wanted a solution which would 

maintain their pouch sealed despite 

product contaminating the closure. 

After discussing hook and loop options, 

the new hook-to-hook closure was 

designed. It has 

evolved 

into 

today’s Easylock and become a leading 

option in pet food applications.“ 

Easylock is a patented solution that brings 

functionality to packaging, added value 

to brands and satisfaction to consumers. 

It runs on all automated packaging 

machines and is manufactured in BRCGS 

grade AA certified facilities. 

Key benefits for pet food and 

pet treats 

Easylock by Aplix® is the ideal closure for 

pet food and pet treats bags. 

Intuitive 

Unlike other zip closures and press-toclose 

systems, precise alignment is not 

required for closing. It's so easy to use 

that anyone can open and close it every 

time. 

Sensory 

Easylock's distinctive audible 

and tactile features provide 

consumers confidence that 

their package is closed 

properly every time. Its 

sensory appeal makes it 

both fun and functional for 

the entire family! 

Freshness preserved 

Other benefits of the Easylock 

closure include freshness 

preservation and the retention 

of flavor, aroma and smell. Easylock 

46 


PACKAGING 

keeps the flavor and smell locked in. 

It preserves the freshness of kibble by 

protecting them against humidity intake. 

Even freezing of bags is an option; this is a 

trend in meat for pet food products. 

Powder and crumb proof 

Thanks to its unique hook-to-hook 

technology, it closes securely despite 

fatty particulates in the hook area. It is 

also much easier to get rid of particulates 

stuck in the hook track than with a regular 

zip. This makes it also suitable for ‘pouring‘ 

product into pet bowls. 

Reliable for all bag sizes 

Matching solutions for small and big bags 

ensure a seamless consumer experience 

from pet treat pouches to large pet food 

bags. Its narrow format is particularly 

suitable to pet treat packaging, while the 

larger one can be found on kibble bags 

over 15kg. 

Recyclable 

Made of LDPE and sealable with PE films, 

Easylock is already used for recyclable 

packaging. Easylock by Aplix® is accredited 

by Trex® in North America. 

A recyclable closure 

One of the main challenges for consumer 

packaging at the moment is the need to be 

recyclable. Easylock by Aplix® addresses 

the consumer, retailer, and consumer 

product companies’ demands for more 

environmentally friendly packaging. It is 

a 100% polyethylene recyclable closure 

which makes it compatible with mono-PE 

films developed to be recycled in the PE 

stream. 

Brands such as Tribal pet food have chosen 

to balance sustainability and a great 

consumer experience by using Easylock 

on their pet treats and pet food packaging. 

Recyclability is achieved while ensuring 

great shelf appeal. The combination of PE/ 

PE film and APLIX’s LDPE Easylock closure 

ensures the bag can easily be recycled 

through PE channels. With Easylock’s 

range of closures, Tribal Pet Foods offers 

the most convenient reclose solutions for 

each packaging format. Tribal Rewards 

pet treats are packaged in 125g stand- 

up pouches with Easylock 973-16mm 

closures, while Tribal Fresh Pressed dog 

food comes in a 2.5kg up to 12kg flatbottom 

bag with Easylock 971-26mm. 


www.easylock-aplix.com 

packaging@aplix.com 


47

MARKETING 

A Wide Range of Innovative Bag 

Packaging Solutions 

With a production capacity of 550 million 

units, Gascogne is the third largest bag 

manufacturer in Europe. In this interview, 

Olivier Tassel, General Director of the 

Packaging Division, explains the strategy 

of the group from Landes. His comments 

are completed with the testimony from 

Virginie Algay, Market Manager for 

Petfood. 

An Introduction to the 

Gascogne Group 

Olivier Tassel explains: Gascogne is a 

landes-based company which was born 

in 1925. We have two activities: wood 

and packaging. The second one, the most 

important, is divided into three poles. 

The first one is the paper mill. We are the 

European leader in natural kraft friction 

paper. This technical paper can be found 

in the food markets for small and medium 

capacity bags. As we manufacture the 

pulp, our papers can be used for direct 

contact with food. 

We are also the leader in anti-slip 

interleaving paper. These products 

especially allow glassmakers to transport 

pallets without the loads slipping. The 

second pole concerns flexible packaging. 

We make multi-material laminates 

(paper, aluminium, etc.) which are used 

to manufacture semi-finished products 

destined for thermal insulation of 

buildings and for dry and fatty food. 

We also manufacture siliconized products. 

These are technical supports on which 

the industrialists who come after us in 

the value chain install a certain amount of 

materials to get to the finished product. In 

addition, we make gumming products that 

can be found on checkout tape terminals 

and on garbage bag surrounds. Finally, we 

are the third largest bag manufacturer in 

Europe. 

Valve paper bags are self-sealing and are 

used for building materials. Open mouth 

bags are closed after filling by the one who 

uses them. These products can be found 

in human and animal food. Pet food is an 

Virgine Algay 

Sales & Market Manager Pet Food at 

GASCOGNE SACS 

important activity with the Pinch Bottom 

bag, also used in animal feed. 

In addition, we produce small and medium 

capacity bags for animal feed, pet food, 

litter and wood 

charcoal. Furthermore, we are a major 

operator for plastic bags with two 

products : the Square and the Single Lip. 

These are caracterized by a very high level 

of printing, an significant shelf life and an 

odour and grease barrier, which pet food 

manufacturers need. 

Our approach to the 

environmental challenge 

For paper bags, we supply ourselves a PEFC 

or FSC certification, depending on the type 

of paper and its origin. In addition, in our 

different activities, we have calculated the 

carbon footprint of most of our products. 

Our supplies are biosourced so that our 

products can be recycled. 

The part of animal feed and 

petfood in our activity 

The Petfood sector represents between 

25% and 30% of our activity and it is 

experiencing strong growth which 

Olivier Tassel 

CEO Packaging division 

corresponds to a societal phenomenom : 

people need to take care of their pets. On 

the other hand, animal feed is relatively 

stable. 

Our company’s projects for the 

coming years 

Gascogne is an atypical group. With 

several activities, we invest in all of our 

industrial sites. Over the last fifteen years, 

the group would have invested 100% of 

its turnover. Regarding bags, we have 

followed the growth of our customers 

with the Single Lip. Very watertight, this 

one is targeted for the pet food industry. 

And as we quickly reach bottlenecks, we 

have invested in printing. Next July, we will 

introduce a small and medium capacity 

line. A second Single Lip line will follow in 

2023-2024. 

Focus on petfood industry, a 

testimony from our market 

manager 

According to Virginie Algay, Market 

Manager for Petfood industry: "The pet 

food market premiumized itself." 

In Mimizan (Landes), Gascogne produces 

35 million bags for the petfood industry 

48 


PACKAGING 

every year. Virginie Algay, sales manager, 

explained: 

"For the past twenty years, the market has 

become more premium. Manufacturers 

have practically transformed food into 

medication. 

Thus, we have complicated the 

composition of the bags by adding more 

barriers and we have improved the esthetic 

with high definition printing and quality 

coatings. Gascogne started the petfood 

business forty years ago with a few million 

bags. Contracts with big brands allowed 

us to invest in specific machines." 

"We manufacture paper and plastic bags. 

Each of these categories is divided into 

two subtypes. For the first one, we offer 

a bag for capacities from 500g to 6kg, the 

SOS bag. We also have a bag for capacities 

from 7kg to 25kg, the Pinch Bottom bag. 

Regarding plastic bags, we started with 

the Square bag, equipped with gussets, 

for capacities from 800g to 25kg. The 

product evolved into the Single Lip bag. 

Esthetically, this one holds better because 

it is sealed with a patch on the top. The bag 

opens by the mouth and not by the face, 

facilitating the operation. The marketing 

of the large bags is better exploited since 

we print on the flat bottom." 

"In 2025, food manufacturers will have 

to bring recycled, recyclable or reusable 

packaging onto the market. In petfood 

and food in general, reusable packaging 

is neither possible nor in our interest. Until 

the end of 2021, the law did not allow us to 

use recycled materials. 

Therefore, we have oriented ourselves 

towards recyclable materials. The bags will 

have to be monomaterial, paper or plastic. 

In the second case, we are working on 

polypropylene and polyethylene. We favor 

the latter because the French sectors are 

more developed. 

As for the full paper bags, they match the 

Gascogne DNA and preserve the planet. 

The petfood market demands barrier and 

greaseproofness. The 100% paper bags 

do not allow this yet. The objective, in the 

long term, is to be at 95% paper. Currently, 

we are at 92% : we are not so far away." 


www.groupe-gascogne.com/ 

de/verpackungs-division/ 

The European meeting place 

for innovation in Food, Feed, 

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October 4 th & 5 th , 2022 

IN-PERSON | Nantes, France 

October 11 th , 2022 

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AND ACCELERATE INNOVATION 

www.nutrevent.com | 

@NutrEvent 

WHO WILL YOU MEET? 

650+ international players from: 

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INSIDE THE EVENT 

One-on-one meetings 

Conferences 

Pitch sessions 

Exhibition 


Sponsored by: 

49

EVENTS 

PetXpert Processing Conference 

June 1-2 at Victam International 2022, Utrecht, The Netherlands 

IThe Nordic Pet Food Events team 

will present a two day processing 

conference at VICTAM International. 

The aim of the Conference is to present 

technical solutions, new techologies 

and know-how for quality and efficient 

pet food manufacturing. There will be 

ten Speakers who will cover topics on 

formulations, ingredient processing / 

handling, manufacturing, and innovation 

solutions. 

Nordic Pet Food Events aims to bring 

experts together, stimulate innovation 

and growth, share knowledge, create 

opportunities for pet food producers, 

ingredients suppliers and industry that 

serves pet food market. A further event 

is planned for October 4-5 in Barcelona, 

Spain. Nordic Pet Food Events is 

Norwegian company located in Ålgård, 

Rogaland. 


nordicpetfood.com 

www.victaminternational.com 

Zoomark International 2023 

15 - 17 May 2023, at BolognaFiere, Italy 

Italy's only pet industry trade show returns, 

offering its signature innovative business 

experience, now a point of reference for 

the global market. 

Zoomark International, the international 

trade show for pet products and 

equipment, has officially announced 

its dates: from 15th to 17th May 2023, 

Europe's leading pet industry event will 

be back in Bologna gathering the world's 

leading companies and the pet business 

community, to tap into the latest trends, 

forge alliances, tackle the new challenges 

and keep up to date with topical issues 

and strategies. 

"Zoomark International is pursuing 

increasingly ambitious objectives, aiming 

to outdo the excellent results unexpectedly 

achieved in November 2021 (the show 

saw more than 60% of international 

exhibitors and visitors from 83 different 

countries), in spite of all the complications 

created by the pandemic" – commented 

Antonio Bruzzone, General Manager of 

BolognaFiere. “It is our intention to confirm 

Zoomark International’s role as a focal point 

for professionals in the pet industry to 

come together and do business: a genuine 

show experience that enables attendees 

to get a preview of the main innovations, 

explore the mega trends of the present 

and future, and keep up to date with all the 

developments in a continuously evolving 

market that is constantly being called on to 

respond rapidly to new challenges." 

The forthcoming edition of the event will 

be officially presented to the international 

press on Wednesday 25 th May at 12.30, in 

the Hong Kong Room of the Press Suite 

at Interzoo in Nuremberg. The German 

event’s hosts, Rowena Arzt, Interzoo Head 

of Exhibition, and Gordon Bonnett, CEO 

of WZF/ZZF, will be "passing the torch" 

between the two shows, which are the key 

European events for the international pet 

industry, one taking place in even years, 

the other in odd years. 

The press conference on 25th May at 

Interzoo will also present a round-up of the 

2022 Assalco-Zoomark Report on pet food 

and pet care, as always providing an up-todate 

snapshot of one of the most dynamic 

sectors of the Italian economy. 

The spokespersons of BolognaFiere and 

Zoomark International will illustrate the 

project for 2023 to the international press. 

Some of the most popular initiatives with 

exhibitors and visitors during past editions 

have been reconfirmed, such as Pet Vision, 

the innovative take on the new products 

area, and the Aqua Project space, along 

with new events for trade professionals 

who see Zoomark International as a 

source of indispensable insight for doing 

business in the industry and embracing an 

innovation-oriented vision. 

"The new edition of Zoomark 

International will be throwing the focus 

on innovation, sustainability and social 

awareness," confirmed Domenico Lunghi, 

Business Unit Director of BolognaFiere 

– "The show will build on the valuable 

experience gained in its 19 past editions 

and the positive feedback from the 

extraordinary edition of November 2021, 

while clearly looking to the future." 


www.zoomark.it 

50 


EVENTS 

25 Years of CIPS: Successful 

Digital Edition of Gathering Place 

for Pet Industry in Asia 

From November 17 to 20, 2021, the 25 th China International Pet Show, or CIPS for short, was held for the first 

time as a complete digital event due to the Corona pandemic. Asia's most important industry gathering for 

pet supplies was also convincing online across the board. Over 600 exhibitors gathered on the CIPS digital 

platform over four days, meeting pet manufacturers, brands, buyers and service providers from all over 

the world. CIPS is organized annually by China Great Wall International Exhibition Co. in cooperation with 

NürnbergMesse. 

With its 25-year history, the China 

International Pet Show is one of the 

most important trade shows for pet and 

aquarium supplies in Asia. In 2021, it was 

held for the first time as a digital-only 

event and also was a complete success. 

On the online platform (https://online. 

cipscom.com/), more than 600 exhibitors 

from all over the world presented a 

total of more than 6000 products, 35% 

of which were novelties. The spectrum 

ranged from food, care and medicine 

products to housing, toys and digital pet 

gadgets. 

In addition to the exhibitors, the online 

edition of CIPS gathered buyers from 

a total of 73 countries and regions; in 

addition to China, the most important 

nations included Germany, the United 

States, Japan, Russia, the United 

Kingdom and Italy. In order to network 

supply and demand in a targeted 

manner, CIPS organized several match 

meetings via Zoom, which were very 

well received. 

Attractive digital supporting 

program 

Asia's industry gathering for pet 

supplies also had an attractive and 

varied supporting program in digital 

form. The GlobalPETS 

Forum Asia (GPFA) was 

also held online this 

year. Organized by CIPS 

and GlobalPETS, the 

conference featured 

inspiring keynote 

speakers from China, 

Germany, France, Italy, 

the Netherlands and 

the United States. 

Presentations took a 

look at opportunities 

and challenges facing the global pet 

industry during the Corona pandemic 

and provided an outlook on future 

developments as well as trends. The 

future topic of "innovations" also played 

a major role at the digital event. For the 

fifth time in total, the CIPS Innovation 

Award was presented to particularly 

innovative products by a jury of national 

and international experts. A total of 18 

products were honored in six categories, 

including feed, ingredients and 

additives, snacks, design, accessories 

and equipment, and aquariums. 

Register now! 

The next China International Pet Show 

will be held from November 17-20, 2022, 

then again, as always in even years, 

Photo:nuernbergmesse.de/CHIPS 

in Guangzhou at the China Import & 

Export Fair Complex. "If you want to gain 

a foothold as an exhibitor on the Asian 

market or expand existing contacts, 

we are happy to support you with 

an exhibition participation in China," 

says Katharina Neumann, Manager 

International Events at NürnbergMesse. 


en.cipscom.com 

Pet expertise worldwide 

In addition to CIPS, NürnbergMesse 

supports or organizes other trade fairs 

for the pet industry worldwide: 

Interzoo, Nuremberg / Germany 

World's leading trade fair for the 

international pet industry, organized by 

Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer 

Fachbetriebe GmbH (WZF); 

24 to 27 May 2022, Nuremberg / Germany 

PET South America, Sao Paulo / 

Brazil 

International Trade Show for Pet Industry 

Suppliers in Latin America; 

17 to 19 August 2022, Sao Paulo / Brazil 


51

LAST PAGE 

Upcoming Events 

May 24 - 27, 2022 

Interzoo 2022 

Nuremberg, Germany 

www.interzoo.com 

June 1 - 2, 2022 

VICTAM International (co-location VIV Europe) 

Utrecht, The Netherlands 

www.victaminternational.com 

August 29 - 30, 2022 

India International Pet Trade Fair 

New Delhi, India 

www.creature-companions.in 

September 27 - 29, 2022 

PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022 

NEC, Birmingham, UK 

www.ppmashow.co.uk 

October 4 - 5, 2022 

NutrEvent 2022 

Nantes, France 

www.nutrevent.com 

October 4 - 5, 2022 

Nordic Pet Food Conference & Exhibition 

Barcelona, Spain 

www.norpetfood.com 

November 17 - 20, 2022 

CIPS 2022 China Inaternational Pet Show 

Guangzhou, China 

en.cipscom.com 

May 15 - 17, 2023 

Zoomark International 2023 

Bologna, Italy 

www.zoomark.it 



Preview September 2022 

PPMA, Fachpack, 

Proteins, Hydrocolloids, Texture, Minerals 

Quality Management, Extrusion, 

Sacks, Logistics, Shelf-life 

Birds, Eyes and Ears, Sick Animals, 

… and lots more! 

Ingredients: Vegetables, Proteins, Minerals, Hydrocolloids, Color, Texture 

Processing: Quality Management, Cooking, Extrution, Testing, Sorting 

Packaging: Accessories, Cans, Pouches, Sacks, Jars, Logistics, Shelf-life 

Marketing: Fachpack, Regulations, Organic Pet Food, Birds, Eyes and Ears, Sick Animals 

Impressum 

Technology & Marketing 

ISSN 2628-5851 

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Internet: www.petfoodpro-mag.com 


Editor-in-Chief: Ian Healey 

Tel: +49-(0)-911-2018-215 

E-mail: ihealey@harnisch.com 

Publisher: Benno Keller 

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Editorial Team: 

Editorial Team: 

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