All Pet Food Industry in one place, en.Allpetfood.net

4+ MIN

25/02/2026

ANDRITZ: Technology to Feed the Future

In recent years, pet food manufacturing has undergone a significant shift. The industry is no longer driven by volume but by innovation. In this context, ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel consolidated itself as a key technological partner.

This transformation is evident as pet humanization has increased consumer demands—who once purchased 'dog food', now seek functional products with digestive or hypoallergenic benefits, or made from alternative proteins. In sales, packaging highlights claims, such as Omega-3, antioxidants, insect protein, and premium formulas free of artificial additives. Behind the well-being narrative lies a deep change in production processes.

'Today's consumers seek the same things for their pets as they do for themselves: well-being, variety, and sustainability,' note representatives from ANDRITZ Chile. 'This requires plants to be more flexible, to innovate more efficiently, and to incorporate technologies that enable a rapid response to market trends.'

The team summarizes a silent revolution: pet food as a technological product. A robust extruder or efficient dryer is no longer enough. Today, manufacturers require more complete lines capable of ensuring traceability, energy control, nutritional precision, and above all, consistency.
Integral Solutions and Precision Technology
In the pet food industry, every detail matters. Grinding, mixing, baking, and coating processes not only shape textures and flavors but also define digestibility and nutritional value. ANDRITZ provides both stand-alone equipment and turnkey solutions for the entire process—from raw material reception to final bagging.

The equipment is as diverse as the products it helps create: the Multimill Hammer Mill for precise and homogeneous grinding; Optimix mixers provide uniformity in formulation; the Combi-Zone Dryer for stable textures and extended shelf life. Finally, EX Series extruders combine low operational costs with flexibility to produce everything from dry kibbles to functional snacks.

'We aim to be a comprehensive supplier to ensure total compatibility between the equipment. Customers don't need to worry about adjusting interfaces or performance—everything is designed to work in harmony,' ANDRITZ's experts explain.

The result is a cleaner, efficient, and more reliable output: a plant where each phase connects seamlessly to the next, without leaks or inconsistencies, creating a technological ecosystem where energy, quality, and productivity align with the design.

'Each machine is thought to operate with minimal energy consumption and maximum reliability. Sustainability is not optional: it is part of the design.'

ANDRITZ's innovation is also represented in process intelligent control. The FLEXTEX system allows operators to monitor and adjust specific mechanical energy (SME) in real time during extrusion, without downtimes or modifications. This enables adjustments to density, texture, or product expansion with millimetric precision while the plant is still operating.

'SME control is key to final product quality. FLEXTEX offers a precise and dynamic tool to innovate without compromising process stability.'

Thanks to these technologies, manufacturers can develop specific products for each segment—from small-breed kibbles and energetic snacks for sporting dogs to digestive formulas for senior cats.
Innovation and Sustainability as Growing Drivers
In a sustainability-driven era, social concerns are also reflected in pet food. Pet owners demand traceability, natural ingredients, and clean processes—what once was a value-added feature is now essential.

Emerging trends aim to alternative proteins, such as insects or pulses, functional snacks with digestive or oral health properties, and highly digestible vegetable formulas. In all these options, processing technology plays a decisive role.

'Producing more is not the challenge: producing better is. Plants must adapt quickly to new recipes and raw materials without losing efficiency or quality,' ANDRITZ's team states.

ANDRITZ technology bridges the gap between a formulator's creativity and industrial reality. It transforms ideas—such as new oral-care treats or plant-based kibbles—into scalable, safe, and consistent products.

Moreover, the company has a global support network and strong local service. In Latin America, the team works closely with manufacturers, providing predictive maintenance, original spare parts, and continuous training.

'Client proximity is in our DNA. We work hand in hand with manufacturers to ensure each plant maintains optimal performance over time.'

ANDRITZ's commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy savings. Plants integrate automation, remote monitoring, and digital traceability systems to control each parameter and reduce raw material waste.

'In the future, plants will be more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable. Our mission is to prepare every client for that technological leap (with no attributable change),' Oliva assures.
Global Experience, Local Support
With more than 180 years of industrial experience and presence in major global markets, ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel combines precision engineering, global support, and local expertise to lead pet food manufacturers to a new productive era.

ANDRITZ offers more than machinery—it brings knowledge, experience, and continuous support. The company becomes part of the design and operation of each plant, adapting every solution to market needs and product goals.

The pet food industry is facing one of its most dynamic moments. Driven by increasingly demanding and informed consumers, it follows a model in which technology and sustainability are inseparable. On this path, ANDRITZ is more than a supplier—this partner understands that behind every kibble, snack, or innovative formula, there is science, commitment, and vision.

'At ANDRITZ, we do more than build equipment; we help build a more efficient and sustainable industry, ready to feed the future.'

ANDRITZ – Innovation, sustainability, and industrial precision for a new era in pet food manufacturing. By ANDRITZ
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

ANDRITZ Chile Integrates AI for Pet Food Manufacturing

Automation

1+ MIN

04/11/2025

ANDRITZ Chile Integrates AI for Pet Food Manufacturing

This shift is a fact at ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel—we use technologies such as ACE (Advanced Control Expert), which integrates AI to optimize processes, reduce variability, and lower energy consumption.
'The premise is clear: advance to more efficient, sustainable, and reliable processes. Thanks to AI, our equipment learns from data record, adjusts critical variables in real time, and makes decisions with no human intervention, ensuring more consistent stability in kibbles while contributing to our global commitment to decarbonization through the motto Growth that Matters,' says Ignacio Oliva, Sales Engineer from the Feed & Biofuel sector at ANDRITZ Chile.
To illustrate, the executive affirms that their wide and robust portfolio has many developments, e.g., the 'intelligent copilot'—integrated in the HMI (Human Machine Interface)— that assists the operator with accurate insights depending on the recipes and conditions.
'Technology works as a real-time conversational tool able to answer why pressure increases or which parameter needs adjustment, accessing the technical manual from the operation screen,' he adds.
According to Oliva, ANDRITZ Chile plans to implement full autonomous process control by 2027-2028. In this way, AI will not only strengthen operational efficiency but also transform the experience of humans in plants, releasing time to do more valuable tasks.

By ANDRITZ
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

ANDRITZ launches ExMax S1021 for more efficient pet food and aqua feed production

Grinding

2+ MIN

02/10/2025

ANDRITZ launches ExMax S1021 for more efficient pet food and aqua feed production

The new extruder responds to the growing demand for safer, more sustainable pet food and aqua feed by helping producers achieve consistently high-quality nutrition, improved food safety, and greater efficiency, while reducing operating costs and unplanned downtime.
Developed in collaboration with industry producers, the ExMax S1021 combines a hygienic design with advanced automation to make production cleaner, more reliable and easier to control, while minimizing waste.
'The ExMax S1021 is not just about capacity – it's about giving producers greater control, cleaner operations, and consistently higher product quality,' said Danny Cummins, Head of Product Management at ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel. 'Producers worldwide are under pressure to deliver safer, more sustainable feed at lower cost. This technology is designed to meet these demands and help them remain competitive in fast-growing markets like those in Latin America.' Built for today's challenges The ExMax S1021 features the patented DensiFlex™ system, which automates control of cooking and expansion to ensure product uniformity. Its hygienic, stainless-steel design simplifies cleaning and minimizes the risk of cross-contamination — two key concerns for producers of pet food and aqua feed.
Key benefits include:
Food safety: Stainless steel hygienic design for faster cleaning and compliance with safety standards Product consistency: Patented DensiFlex™ system for precise density control, faster startup and shutdown Flexibility: Capable of processing a wide variety of feed formulations with ease Reduced downtime: Curved knife housing with automatic adjustment to minimize residue buildup Lower operating costs: Energy-efficient drive system to reduce consumption Reliability: Optimized automation and maintenance features to extend machine lifetime and reduce stoppages On display at VICTAM LATAM Alongside the ExMax S1021, ANDRITZ is showcasing its automation and digitalization solutions, and full-service support portfolio. These offerings help producers maximize equipment performance throughout their lifecycle.
Visitors can explore these technologies and speak with ANDRITZ experts at Booth #4000 at VICTAM LATAM, which takes place from September 16-18, 2025, at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo.

Source: ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel

Trends

2+ MIN

22/04/2024

We enable the green transition

When speaking of our environment, climate crisis, environmental pollution and resource scarcity are three of the most pressing challenges of our time. And time is the crucial factor here: the world needs to change – now. We all need to change.

In order to create a better future for our children and grandchildren, we must build a new economy. A greener one. We at ANDRITZ are doing everything to drive this change: We enable our customers to make the world a greener place with our sustainable solutions. To do this, they can choose from a wide range of technologies in all kinds of fields from decarbonization to recycling and waste-to-value systems on through to pollution control – and we are constantly working on further innovations to tackle more and more of today's and tomorrow's challenges. At the same time, we are, of course, also striving to reduce our own carbon footprint: We plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 50% compared to 2019 by the end of 2025. Hence, we implement measures to improve energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy sources at our production sites. Apart from that, we are continuously minimizing the environmental impact of our locations regarding water consumption and waste production – here too, the plan is a 5% reduction compared to the previous year. But all this is not a new phenomenon, it is not a trend for us. We have been engaging in innovative technologies for more than 170 years now. With our passion and our spirit we are improving things, step by step, day by day: we have always been engineering for the change.
All our efforts have one common goal: a better future. We need to address the following three pivotal points to ensure that this change is successful: decarbonizing industries and mobility to mitigate climate change, transforming the economy into a true circular economy to use resources responsibly, and protecting our environment. We must strive to keep the environment as free from pollution as possible, safeguarding our air, water and soil to preserve biodiversity and ensure a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Source: Andritz.

Raising the Bar in Pet Nutrition: ANDRITZ's Twin-Screw Extruders for High-Meat Formulations

Extrusion

4+ MIN

03/01/2024

Raising the Bar in Pet Nutrition: ANDRITZ's Twin-Screw Extruders for High-Meat Formulations

The Rise of High-Meat Pet Food Pet owners today are becoming more mindful of what goes into their pets' bowls, and the high-meat pet food trend is a result of this growing awareness. High-meat pet food refers to formulations that contain over 30% fresh meat content. This demand stems from a desire for better digestibility and premium nutrition for pets. However, this shift presents its own set of hurdles, particularly in achieving the right cooking temperatures due to the moisture and fat content in raw animal ingredients. Challenges in High-Meat Pet Food Production Creating high-meat pet food formulations comes with unique challenges. The variability in raw animal ingredients complicates the manufacturing process, demanding careful handling to maintain consistency. As Niels Bengt, Sales Director KA, LATAM at ANDRITZ, explains, "Dealing with the diversity of raw animal ingredients requires innovative solutions to ensure uniform processing, which is vital for preserving the nutritional quality of the final product." As a result, the production of high-meat pet food often requires the employment of twin-screw extruders, known for their superior capabilities compared to single-screw counterparts. These extruders offer advanced kneading and mixing capabilities, pivotal for upholding the desired texture in high-meat formulations. Yet, the pursuit of elevated throughput rates while adhering to compact machine dimensions adds an additional layer of complexity to the manufacturing process. Striking the Balance Between Efficiency and Nutritional Integrity In the face of these challenges, ANDRITZ's twin-screw extruders, ExTS 616 & 718, emerge as a transformative solution for high-meat pet food production. Specifically designed to excel in extruding pet food enriched with elevated meat inclusion ratios, ANDRITZ's twin-screw extruders ensure optimal starch utilization, affording unparalleled formulation flexibility and optimized feed conversion ratios. The synchronized, high-shear twin screws guarantee the complete material discharge, minimizing waste and expediting recipe transitions. "Our twin-screw extruders are crafted to tackle the intricacies of high-meat pet food production. We are resolute in our commitment to efficiency while upholding nutritional integrity. ANDRITZ's twin-screw extruders stand as the definitive solution that not only meets but surpasses the challenges of high-meat pet food production," says Niels Bengt, Sales Director KA, LATAM at ANDRITZ. "Our approach is centered on achieving a harmonious synergy between the seamless functioning of our machines and the preservation of the vital nutrients within high-meat formulations. With precise control over cooking temperatures and meticulous handling of diverse ingredients, our twin-screw extruders stand as a testament to our dedication to delivering pet food that not only excels in quality but also upholds the nutritional essence of each ingredient," Niels Bengt adds. This distinctive approach has been expertly crafted to tackle head-on the intricate challenges that arise from incorporating raw animal ingredients into recipes. By providing pet food producers with meticulous control over cooking temperatures, ANDRITZ's solutions effectively address the nuances associated with different ingredients, ensuring that each element is handled appropriately. This attention to detail serves as the linchpin for safeguarding the nutritional richness present in high-meat pet food formulations, ultimately resulting in a final product that not only offers exceptional palatability but also remains an optimal source of nourishment for our loyal animal companions. From Conscious Consumers to Circular Economy Moreover, as societies worldwide increasingly embrace environmental consciousness, consumer interest in the food supply chain has surged due to growing sustainability concerns. Transparency in sourcing and production is no longer sufficient; consumers now demand an understanding of how food production impacts the planet. This scrutiny extends even to pet foods and treats. As the world transitions toward a circular economy, driven by the urgency to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce landfill waste, it's essential to recognize the role of rendering as a form of recycling. Rendered ingredients include proteins sourced from animal muscles, organs, and bones not suitable for human consumption but perfectly safe for animals. This holds particular significance as approximately 50% of an animal is unsuitable for human consumption, and without rendering for alternative uses, this portion would go to waste. Therefore, integrating fresh meat into pet food aligns with the principles of the circular economy, promoting resource efficiency. ANDRITZ's twin-screw extruders play a significant role in advancing this circular economy in the pet food industry. By efficiently processing raw animal ingredients and minimizing waste, ANDRITZ machines contribute to a more sustainable pet food production process, while maintaining the nutritional quality that pets deserve. The Way Forward: Nourishing Pets and the Planet Simultaneously As the pet nutrition industry evolves, the high-meat pet food trend poses challenges that require innovative solutions. ANDRITZ rises to the occasion, ensuring efficient processing of fresh meat ingredients while upholding their nutritional value. Beyond efficiency, ANDRITZ's twin-screw extruders exemplify a commitment to sustainability, ushering in a more environmentally conscious era for pet food manufacturing. Niels Bengt, concludes, "Our solutions not only address the demands of the pet food industry but also contribute to a more sustainable future. By providing highly efficient machinery that produces high-quality, high-meat pet food, we're meeting the needs of pets, their caring owners, and our planet." In the future, ANDRITZ aims to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation to further enhance pet food production. "Our innovations are not just products; they are promises of a brighter, more exciting future for our customers." Source: All Pet Food Magazine

Manufacturing Process

3+ MIN

10/11/2023

ANDRITZ and Pet Food Innovation

ANDRITZ and the Future of Pet Food: Innovation and Sustainability at the Forefront The pet food market is constantly evolving, and the increasing demands require advanced processing technology solutions. ANDRITZ, as a trusted partner for hundreds of premium pet food producers globally, is at the forefront of this revolution. In a world where sustainability and digitalization are redefining industries, ANDRITZ stands out for its focus on both areas. The company not only commits to excellence in performance and quality but also prioritizes innovation and technological development. This is reflected in their goal to offer advanced technologies that result in efficient production, operational cost reduction, maximum energy efficiency, and environmental protection considerations. Backed by global specialists, ANDRITZ offers comprehensive solutions for pet food pelletizing, ensuring easy, safe, and efficient processes that quickly adapt to market trends. From raw material intake to the loading of finished foods, ANDRITZ equipment and systems stand out for their cutting-edge technology. These processing systems provide optimal results in food safety and traceability, ensuring both animal health and regulatory compliance. However, beyond technological solutions, ANDRITZ understands the importance of management and collaboration. With over 180 years of experience and a vast sales and service network globally, the company ensures a close and cooperative relationship with its clients. ANDRITZ's solutions are tailor-made, specifically designed to meet high production capacity and quality demands. This adaptability is made possible thanks to modular systems and multiple design features combined with specialized engineers' expertise. Process automation, another pillar of ANDRITZ, guarantees cost-efficient processing and consistent food quality. These automation systems offer complete traceability of ingredients and process parameters and represent a perfect fusion between technology and efficient operation. At the end of the day, ANDRITZ's promise is clear: "You know your product, we know productivity." With state-of-the-art technologies and a deep understanding of every process step, ANDRITZ positions itself as the undisputed leader in pet food processing solutions. ANDRITZ's Highlighted Technologies for Premium Pet Food Production VAC 1000/1500 for Super Premium Food: Precise control in the inclusion of high-cost liquids and powders, achieving significant savings in the pet kibble manufacturing process. Uniform coating across all kibbles batch by batch. Possibility of a higher inclusion of oils when using vacuum vs. the natural limitation of working at atmospheric pressure. Both appearance and end-product quality superior vs. other solutions like rotary coaters. Possibility to create new formulations and products due to the wide working range our VAC model oilers allow. Double Screw Extruder ExTs 616/718: Superior cooking control vs. single screw by achieving full starch utilization. Greater control and flexibility in the formulation by including a higher % of fresh meat or slurry. Superior mixing inside the extrusion barrels. Higher hygiene as it's self-cleaning. Greater working range in moisture percentage inclusion. Greater working range in fat percentage inclusion. CZD High-Efficiency Dryers: Independent drying control in each CZD zone. The market's lowest humidity dispersion percentage upon exiting the dryer, achieving less or equal to 0.5%. Modular dryer, so for future higher requirements, the dryer can be expanded. Controlled and even product bed filling thanks to the. Significant energy savings due to air recirculation, temperature and exhaustion relative humidity control. Thanks to CZD's advanced automation control, it's possible to know in real-time the energy consumption associated with product drying. ANDRITZ continues to innovate and adapt to the changing demands of the pet food market. With its focus on sustainability and technology, the company is positioned to continue leading in this field in the coming years. By: ANDRITZ