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.

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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.

Marketplace

ExMax S1021

Twin screw extruder - ExTS 616

The OptiMix paddle mixer

Hammer Mills

Extruders

Combi-Zone Dryer

Batch Coating System

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