Category: Crops

The alliance, formalized at the MAHA 2024 trade fair, aims to transform plant proteins and agricultural byproducts into local, eco-friendly feed ingredients.

Strategic shift toward local protein​

The venture offers a sustainable, locally sourced alternative for animal protein in Southeast Asia, a region increasingly dependent on soy imports, which are expected to reach one-third of global soy derivative imports by 2028.

Indonesia and Malaysia, dominating the global palm oil market with 83% of production (USDA, 2024), produce 8.9 million tons of low-value palm kernel meal annually. This byproduct, due to its high fiber content and low digestibility, is often exported, leaving Southeast Asia reliant on imported soy for animal feed.

The joint venture plans to use European Protein’s patented fermentation technology to convert palm kernel cakes into highly digestible feed for monogastric animals and farmed fish, aiming to reduce dependence on imported proteins. This technology will also be applied to soy, rapeseed, and seaweed, enhancing processing efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts.

Innovative technology​

European Protein maintains that its proprietary solid-state lacto-fermentation, patented by its parent company Fermentationexperts, represents a “unique” industrial-scale application. It uses significantly less water and energy, cutting environmental impacts by up to 63% compared to traditional methods, according to a third-party study [1]. The process reportedly enhances the nutritional value and digestibility of feedstock while reducing antinutrients.

New fermentation plants​

The joint venture will build two fermentation plants in Malaysia, expanding European Protein’s global network, which includes facilities in Denmark, Ukraine, and the US.

The first plant, with a €13.5m investment, is set to begin operations by Q4 2025 and will produce fermented proteins from rapeseed meal, soy, and seaweed. It will involve the conversion of an existing facility in Penang into GMP+-certified manufacturing plant. The second plant, for which the construction timeline is still under review, will focus on upgrading palm kernel meal into high-quality animal feed.

[1] Comparison of fermented soy with soy protein concentrate (SPC). Product Environmental Footprint calculation of Global Warming Potential (GWP) of fermented complementary feed from cradle to gate produced in bulk at European Proteins factory site in Denmark. Calculated by Bureau Veritas HSE Denmark following the LCA and PEF core rules from ISO 14025:2006 and EU COM EF Annex 1 and 2, 2023, version 1.1.  ​

The alliance, formalized at the MAHA 2024 trade fair, aims to transform plant proteins and agricultural byproducts into local, eco-friendly feed ingredients.

Strategic shift toward local protein​

The venture offers a sustainable, locally sourced alternative for animal protein in Southeast Asia, a region increasingly dependent on soy imports, which are expected to reach one-third of global soy derivative imports by 2028.

Indonesia and Malaysia, dominating the global palm oil market with 83% of production (USDA, 2024), produce 8.9 million tons of low-value palm kernel meal annually. This byproduct, due to its high fiber content and low digestibility, is often exported, leaving Southeast Asia reliant on imported soy for animal feed.

The joint venture plans to use European Protein’s patented fermentation technology to convert palm kernel cakes into highly digestible feed for monogastric animals and farmed fish, aiming to reduce dependence on imported proteins. This technology will also be applied to soy, rapeseed, and seaweed, enhancing processing efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts.

Innovative technology​

European Protein maintains that its proprietary solid-state lacto-fermentation, patented by its parent company Fermentationexperts, represents a “unique” industrial-scale application. It uses significantly less water and energy, cutting environmental impacts by up to 63% compared to traditional methods, according to a third-party study [1]. The process reportedly enhances the nutritional value and digestibility of feedstock while reducing antinutrients.

New fermentation plants​

The joint venture will build two fermentation plants in Malaysia, expanding European Protein’s global network, which includes facilities in Denmark, Ukraine, and the US.

The first plant, with a €13.5m investment, is set to begin operations by Q4 2025 and will produce fermented proteins from rapeseed meal, soy, and seaweed. It will involve the conversion of an existing facility in Penang into GMP+-certified manufacturing plant. The second plant, for which the construction timeline is still under review, will focus on upgrading palm kernel meal into high-quality animal feed.

[1] Comparison of fermented soy with soy protein concentrate (SPC). Product Environmental Footprint calculation of Global Warming Potential (GWP) of fermented complementary feed from cradle to gate produced in bulk at European Proteins factory site in Denmark. Calculated by Bureau Veritas HSE Denmark following the LCA and PEF core rules from ISO 14025:2006 and EU COM EF Annex 1 and 2, 2023, version 1.1.  ​

The newly revised document​​ addresses key nutritional considerations for pet food manufacturers, offering comprehensive guidance based on life stages, health conditions, and activity levels of pets.

This update is the result of extensive peer review by FEDIAF’s Nutrition Working Group and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which consists of independent nutrition scientists from both academia and private consulting firms across Europe.

The revised guidelines offer several important updates. Notable revisions include guidance on balancing high fat and protein levels in dog food and adjustments to the footnote on inorganic phosphorus for cats. That particular amendment references new research relative to the long-term feeding of cats, Alice Tempel Costa, deputy secretary-general of FEDIAF, tells us. 

“These guidelines incorporate the latest scientific research, including data from the National Research Council (NRC), providing a practical framework for manufacturers to develop both complete and complementary pet food recipes,” she continues.

She maintains that an improved layout makes the guidance easier to read: “The document also includes a glossary of key terms, explanations of ingredients, and detailed information on energy requirements, along with annexes on body condition scoring and the risks associated with certain human foods for pets.”

Key objectives of the guidelines​

The FEDIAF guidelines aim to achieve several key objectives:

• Support the production of nutritionally balanced pet food: The guidelines are designed to ensure that pet food manufacturers create nutritionally sound products in compliance with EU regulations on animal nutrition.

They incorporate the latest scientific knowledge on cat and dog nutrition to:

• Offer practical nutrient recommendations for formulating products tailored for adult maintenance, growth, and reproduction.
• Assist manufacturers in evaluating the nutritional quality of pet foods for healthy animals.

FEDIAF says the guidance should serve as the primary reference for pet nutrition in Europe:

The document is intended as a key resource for EU and local authorities, consumer organizations, pet care professionals, and consumers.

Another aim is to promote collaboration within the industry. By providing scientifically grounded information on pet food formulation and assessment, the organization says the guidelines foster cooperation between manufacturers, pet care experts, and regulatory bodies.

They are also meant to complement existing FEDIAF resources, with the guidelines working alongside FEDIAF’s Guide to Good Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods and the Guide to Good Practice for Communication on Pet Food.

Investors include Main Sequence, Breakthrough Victoria, and The March Group.

The funds will support cattle trials, the development of a new production facility in Sydney, team expansion, and the establishment of commercial partnerships.

“We’re building a production unit with the capacity to deliver 30,000 doses per day in a small warehouse with minimal equipment. The concept is highly scalable,” says CEO and co-founder, Dr Tom Williams.

He and Dr Alex Carpenter, both experienced synthetic biologists, founded Number 8 Bio after working together in academic research.

When we last spoke to the team in July 2023​​, the company was still focused on leveraging yeast to produce bromoform, a methane inhibitor. Since then, its approach has evolved.

“Seaweed produces bromoform along with other useful organohalides, and we discovered that our engineered yeast could do the same—not just producing bromoform, but other compounds as well. Through our lab work and cattle trials, we found that there wasn’t much difference between using a mixture of these organohalides and using synthetic bromoform alone. Indeed, focusing solely on bromoform is significantly cheaper and much more scalable,” explains Dr Williams.

While bromoform-based solutions are ideal for beef feedlots due to extensive research on seaweed in that context, he maintains that the dairy industry is more cautious about adopting such technology because of concerns about additive residues in milk. This factor has prompted the team to explore non-bromoform alternatives as well. 

Two-pronged approach ​

Number 8 Bio is currently testing a combination of synergistic ingredients and prebiotics. Such a two-pronged solution, they believe, will set them apart from competitors:

“Our products have a dual mechanism: they inhibit methane emissions while promoting beneficial bacteria that consume hydrogen and produce nutrients,” he tells us, with the CEO adding that reducing methane emissions beyond 90% can harm the rumen’s normal functioning due to hydrogen buildup, which is typically consumed by methanogens.

The company has been running trials in collaboration with the Queensland Animal Science Precinct (QASP) and the University of New England (UNE) to validate the technology’s effectiveness. A study is also planned for later this year in partnership with Agriculture Victoria.

Regulatory pathway 

Number 8 Bio plans to begin the international regulatory approval process next year for its technology. 

“In Australia, methane mitigation claims are not regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and only need to be scientifically substantiated. We expect to launch a product on the Australian market next year, followed by international markets once the necessary approvals are obtained.”

Pioneers in the field ​

Asked about the significant number of pioneering Australian companies working on seaweed-based methane inhibitors—such as Sea Forest, Rumin8, SeaStock, and CleanEyre Global—Dr Williams comments: “Australia is at the forefront of innovation in this field, likely due to the groundbreaking seaweed research that originated here.”

FutureFeed, established by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian Government agency, holds the global intellectual property for using Asparagopsis seaweed as a livestock feed ingredient, which has been shown to reduce methane emissions in ruminants by over 80%.

In August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would end its decades-long partnership​​ with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as of October 1.

This collaboration had overseen the safety review of hundreds of feed and pet food ingredients, allowing them to enter the market under a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Due to several factors, the FDA is no longer able to maintain this partnership, prompting the need for a new system.

Although the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) expressed disappointment over the dissolution of the relationship, it welcomed the FDA’s release of draft guidance outlining the transition.

Key Changes:

What’s ending?​

The AAFCO ingredient review process, where the FDA acted as the safety reviewer, will cease. The FDA’s Food Additive Petition and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification processes will remain unchanged.

What’s replacing it?​

The FDA proposes a new system, the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC), to replace the AAFCO review process. This consultation-based process is detailed in the FDA’s draft guidance (Industry 294)​​ and is designed as an interim solution for companies developing new feed ingredients that would have otherwise used the AAFCO process.

What about previously reviewed ingredients?​

The FDA has outlined in its draft guidance (Industry 293)​​ that it will continue to exercise enforcement discretion for ingredients listed in the 2024 edition of the AAFCO Official Publication​​. These ingredients can continue to be marketed in interstate commerce, provided they meet safety standards.

What happens to AAFCO?​

AAFCO’s current ingredient review process will end on October 1. However, AAFCO is exploring a new system for scientific review and approval of ingredients, potentially incorporating approvals from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

AFIA’s position:​

The AFIA has submitted feedback to the FDA, advocating for clearer guidance in the draft documents (Industry 293 and 294) and establishing clear expectations for both ingredient submitters and the FDA.

Specifically, the AFIA wants to ensure that any ingredient previously reviewed under AAFCO can transition seamlessly to the new AFIC process. It also urged the FDA to accept future editions of the AAFCO Official Publication, which would include ingredients reviewed under the MOU but not yet published. This, it argues, would provide a clear pathway for ingredients still under review.

And the trade group urges the FDA to finalize these guidance documents swiftly so that the industry can continue delivering innovative solutions for both animal agriculture and companion animal markets, domestically and internationally.