Symrise Pet Food
petfood.symrise.com
Symrise Pet Food
About the company
Symrise Pet Food, part of the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment of Symrise, is the global leader of sustainable high value solutions improving pets’ well-being and owners’ satisfaction. The division provides multiple products and services improving pet food palatability, pet nutrition and pet food protection. Symrise Pet Food is present on five continents with 1,750 employees, 32 industrial sites, and four expert measurement centers with 1,100 cats and dogs.
Symrise Pet Food aims to bring all pets a better life by being at the heart of every eating experience by 2030.
Products
Company News
Market Information
4+ MIN
07/11/2024
Symrise continues strong profitable growth course
Symrise continued its profitable growth trajectory in the first nine months of the year, achieving organic sales growth of 11.1%. Considering portfolio and exchange rate effects, Group revenue rose to €3,824 million in the first nine months (9M 2023: €3,610 million), a plus of 5.9% compared to the year-ago period. Both segments contributed to the positive development and increased sales in a global economic environment that remained challenging. In the third quarter, overall sales increased organically by 10.2%. Despite negative exchange rate effects of 4.0%, sales grew by 5.2% in the reporting currency. Against the backdrop of robust organic growth, Symrise has specified its organic growth target, sales expected to come in at around 7 %.
Jean-Yves Parisot, CEO of Symrise AG: "Symrise was able to seamlessly continue the positive business development of the past months in the third quarter. Despite the current volatile market environment due to geopolitical tensions and continued inflation pressure, we are confident for the rest of the year and ex-pect robust demand. Our diversified portfolio and broad, international footprint will continue to help us re-alize our growth potential and create sustainable value this year. We are firmly convinced that we have set the right course for the future."
Sales development by region
The strongest organic growth was recorded in the Latin America region with 27.4%, followed by the Asia/Pacific region with 11.2% and EAME (Europe, Africa, Middle East) with 11.1%. The main growth drivers were the Food & Beverage, Fragrance, Aroma Molecules and Pet Food business units. The North America region achieved organic growth of 2.3%, driven primarily by the Food & Beverage and Aroma Molecules business units.
High growth in food, beverages and pet food
The Taste, Nutrition & Health segment increased sales organically by 10.4% in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. In the third quarter, organic growth was 11.3%. Taking into account portfolio and currency effects, the segment's revenue rose to €2,349 million in the first nine months (9M 2023: €2,267 million). The portfolio effect from the sale of the beverage trading business in the UK within the Food & Beverage business unit had a negative impact of € 27 million on sales development.
The Food & Beverage division achieved double-digit organic growth in percentage terms. Strong growth impulses came from the application areas for sweet and savory products and beverages. All four regions, especially the EAME region, achieved high growth. The Naturals application area increased its revenues, especially in the North America and EAME regions.
The Pet Food division also achieved double-digit organic growth in percentage terms in the first nine months. Sales development was particularly dynamic in the Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions, with double-digit organic growth.
Sales development in the Aqua Feed business unit recorded declining organic growth. As part of the fur-ther portfolio streamlining with a focus on high-margin growth areas, Symrise intends to sell the business.
The probiotics business, which includes the majority stake in the listed company Probi AB, Lund, Swe-den, generated slight growth, driven by the EAME region.
Strong sales growth in Consumer Fragrance and significant recovery in Aroma Molecules
The Scent & Care segment, which manages the fragrances, perfumery applications and cosmetic active ingredients business, achieved organic sales growth of 12.2% in the first nine months and 8.4% in the third quarter respectively. Taking into account portfolio and currency effects, revenue for the first nine months amounted to €1,475 million (9M 2023: €1,343 million).
The Fragrance division increased its sales organically in the double-digit percentage range in the first nine months. In particular, the Consumer Fragrance application area achieved double-digit percentage growth. The EAME, Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions in particular experienced very high market dy-namics. The Fine Perfumery application area also continued its very positive development and achieved high single-digit percentage organic growth. Here, the Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions recorded good growth. The Oral Care application area achieved single-digit percentage organic growth, with good growth especially in the North America and Asia/Pacific regions.
Sales in the Aroma Molecules division recovered significantly in the first nine months of the current year. While the market environment continues to prove challenging, the resumption of production in Colonels Island, USA has resulted in a significant year-on-year increase in revenue. High double-digit growth fig-ures were achieved in all regions.
Sales in the Cosmetic Ingredients division continued to develop strongly with high single-digit percent-age organic growth. Revenues increased significantly in the EAME, Asia/Pacific and Latin America re-gions. Only the North America region showed just a slight year-on-year growth. The application areas for micro-protection and actives and botanicals also recorded very strong growth impulses.
Symrise specifies growth target for 2024
Based on the good business performance in the first nine months, Symrise is specifying its sales target for the full year 2024. The Group is now aiming for organic sales growth of around 7%. The Group's long-term organic growth expectation of 5% to 7% (CAGR) remains unchanged. The long-term EBITDA mar-gin is expected to be in the range of 20% to 23%.
Source: Symrise AG
Ingredients
5+ MIN
04/06/2024
Manufacturers need partners who support them in understanding the Pet Food ecosystem
A supplier needs to understand its customers' reality to help them face daily difficulties and build a promising future. Challenges within our market can be found not only in the external environment (customers, pets, distributors, etc.) but also in the factories and, if you look deeper, inside the kibbles. Through services and shared knowledge, suppliers can contribute to the applicability of their solutions and evaluation mechanisms to make the most of their use.
Pet food producers do not need to have 100% of their needs met by their efforts. Suppliers that have been established in the market for a long time and are committed to the development of the pet food ecosystem have a lot to offer you. Production and application consultancy, analysis of physicochemical parameters of kibbles, additive utilization rates, and comparisons of the characteristics of your products versus your competitors are some examples of support services that Symrise Pet Food can offer you.
You also need to have a thorough understanding of the expectations of owners and their pets, as well as the evolution of technologies and the market. This is not done by a stroke of luck but through an absolute knowledge of what constitutes this ecosystem.
Understanding pets and owners
Pets and their owners are a fascinating topic to study; That is why we have a series of tools and services that allow us to know them in depth to provide you with a unique holistic approach, which considers the vision and opinion of the owners and the preferences and behaviors of the pets.
On the one hand, having a clear voice from pets can be challenging. In fact, many decisions are made through the voices of our pets, after all, they are the real consumers. Imagine if the responses of dogs and cats were compromised in some way… Brands could go in very wrong directions.
Then, it is essential to have reliable, statistically robust responses aligned with animal ethics policies that guarantee excellent living conditions for pets. That's why you've probably encountered our Panelis team (our expert measurement center), whether at our facilities, conferences around the world, or in your office. They are the ones to help you make reliable, pet-based decisions, in addition to being one of our most visible commitments to the generation and transfer of knowledge for the construction of a promising future for our ecosystem.
Listening to what pets have to say is essential, but matching the voices of pet owners with pets is state-of-the-art. How do pet owners interpret their pets' satisfaction? What is the evidence for pets' pleasure in eating? The interaction of the actors in our ecosystem must interpret and answer both questions to ensure that this much-needed bond of care and affection between pets and owners is strengthened. Specific methodologies focused on pets and owners, such as the 'Liking Test' study protocol and in-home panel studies, are clear examples of tools to capture the interaction of pets and their owners.
When we talk about the feasibility of listening to the voices of pet parents, challenges become even bigger. Options in many markets are more than limited and often inaccessible, whether due to budget restrictions, the quality of responders, or reactivity.
An increasingly digital environment has allowed new tools to be created and used to benefit our market. Symrise Pet Food acquired Yummypets in 2017 to complement our Panelis service by enlarging our comprehensive view with pet owners' insights. This tool now owns 7 proprietary pet owners' panels in 7 countries. This allows us to capture, analyze, and deliver insights into pet owners' expectations and buying habits/behaviors. Evaluating new claims, investigating the acceptability of new product positions, or even evaluating new packaging is becoming simpler and more accessible.
Proudly, standing by your side
Living together and sharing successes and failures in the same place is the most effective way to build a true partnership. Ever since our origins, we have made it clear that our goal would be to maintain a commercial relationship based on the local markets, following our motto 'the closer, the better,' come what may, and most importantly, without intermediaries that add time and demand unnecessary efforts.
At Symrise Pet Food, we put at your service an unparalleled industrial structure as well as an agile and reliable supply chain so that you can count on a constant and on-time supply. We oversee searching for and having the best suppliers nearby to provide products characterized by unmatched freshness. The same one that pets, and their owners adore.
Thanks to our local experts, we can help you navigate the pet food market ocean by providing you with the most recent insights and informing you before anyone else about the trends yet to come. Have you ever wondered how your brand interacts with its direct competition? We can help you understand if your efforts for unique positioning are being appreciated by the market or if some small adjustments need to be made.
Finally, if you have questions about the kibble or the production process and don't know who can help you, we are here to work with you. The good thing about having our support is that you have experts by your side who know the process from end to end and better yet, who know all the aspects of kibble formulation and how they can impact the acceptance by our furry friends.
Environmental safety & sustainability
Today, pet parents are more aware than ever of how pet food is made and how it impacts the environment. Symrise Pet Food understands this approach because it was born out of a desire to value side streams and make the most of local raw materials. That's also what led us to develop a unique tool: the Eco-Design matrix. It is responsible for measuring the environmental impacts of SPF products throughout their life cycle, from our suppliers' factory to the delivery to our customers.
We also extended our approach to our factories and processes: in 2019, we began to build all our plants following sustainable guidelines. Today, we are proud of our plants in Colombia, Brazil, and China that were built under LEED certification standards for the construction of green buildings. In our remaining 29 plants, we work every day to adapt them to current standards: effluent treatment systems, gas control, and optimization of energy use, among others.
If you are eager to apply sustainable standards like these in your plant, we'll be happy to share with you all of our knowledge and best practices about it.
In the current context, we need companies committed to developing long-lasting, reliable, and forward-looking relationships that allow us to accompany the development of the pet food industry.
Our comprehensive understanding of the market ecosystem is what enables us to provide our partners with the best solutions to meet the market expectations. Beyond our products, sharing this knowledge is most of all, a key part of the support we bring to pet food manufacturers, helping them reach common objectives: to improve pets' well-being, enhance owner satisfaction, and nurture their bond.
By; Symrise Pet Food.
Source: All Pet Food Magazine.
Market Information
3+ MIN
22/05/2024
New Symrise CEO Parisot looks optimistic into 2024 at the Annual General Meeting
'I feel delighted to speak at the Symrise Annual General Meeting for the first time as the Group's CEO,' said Dr. Jean-Yves Parisot. 'We offer our shareholders good opportunities for successful business development, also amid ongoing global uncertainties. Our diversified portfolio, our high level of innovation and our global positioning contribute significantly to this. Our pioneering role in sustainability represents a further key to our success. We want to continue intensifying our efforts in this area until we have achieved net-zero status at all levels by 2045.'
In his presentation to the nearly 350 shareholders present, the new CEO started with a look at the 2023 fiscal year. The year turned out a successful one also with its geopolitical uncertainties. It produced stable organic sales growth of just under eight percent. Both divisions (Taste, Nutrition & Health as well as Scent & Care) recorded significant growth.
In his outlook for the 2024 fiscal year, Parisot stated that Symrise feels confident that it will be able to continue along this successful course. In the first quarter of 2024, the Group managed to increase sales by just under 11% compared with the first quarter of 2023. Overall, Symrise is aiming for organic growth of between five and seven percent this year. This would place the company at a faster growth rate than its respective market. To increase profitability, the company has also launched an efficiency program worth EUR 50 million.
Voting results available online
After the presentation of the business figures, the agenda continued to cover the agenda items up for vote. They included the following topics:
- Appropriation of the accumulated profit for the 2023 fiscal year
- Resolution to discharge the members of the Executive and of the Supervisory Board for the 2023 fiscal year
- Appointment of the financial and other auditors
- Approval of the Remuneration Report
- Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation to enable virtual Annual General Meetings and on the arrangements for the participation of Supervisory Board Members
- Removal of the existing Authorized Capital and the creation of a new Authorized Capital
- Removal of the existing authorization to issue bonds and to create a new conditional capital
The shareholders approved all items on the agenda with a large majority. The detailed voting results are available for download at https://www.symrise.com/investors/annual-general-meeting/
About Symrise:
Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials, as well as functional ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional supplements and pet food.
Its sales of approximately € 4.7 billion in the 2023 fiscal year make Symrise a leading global provider. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented in more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America.
Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked as part of this process. Symrise – always inspiring more…
Source: Symrise.
Market Information
2+ MIN
19/04/2024
Symrise Pet Food's palatant plant located in Chapecó – SC obtained the FSSC 22000 Certification
We are pleased to announce that our newest and largest production facility for liquid and powder palatants located in Chapecó-SC, Brazil, has achieved FSSC 22000 certification. This certification is a testament to our commitment to quality, food safety and excellence in pet food production.
FSSC 22000 certification is an international recognition granted by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) that validates the implementation of a robust and effective Food Safety Management System (FSMS). This standard is based on the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and complies with the highest international standards.
Why is this certification important?
For Symrise Pet Food and the pet food industry, achieving FSSC 22000 certification represents a critical step in the commitment to excellence:
Customer Trust: Demonstrates to our customers our unwavering commitment to product safety and quality, giving them peace of mind that they are receiving reliable ingredients.
Continuous improvement: we implement a management system that allows us to identify and control potential risks, ensuring the safety of our products at every stage of production.
Strengthening the supply chain: we reinforce the trust and reputation of our company within the supply chain of the pet food industry.
Compliance with international standards: allows us to comply with the most demanding legal and regulatory requirements globally.
Pet Food It is proud of this achievement and continues to work to maintain its position as a strategic partner of pet food manufacturers. FSSC 22000 certification is a clear testament to our commitment to food safety and customer satisfaction.
Symrise Pet Food is a global leader in high-value, sustainable solutions that improve pet well-being and guardian satisfaction. The company offers multiple products and services that improve palatability, pet nutrition, and pet food protection. Symrise Pet Food is present on 5 continents with 1,750 employees, 32 sites and 4 expert measurement centers with 1,100 dogs and cats.
Source: Symrise AG.
Market Information
2+ MIN
28/03/2024
Supply chain rating: Symrise recognized for climate protection in its supply chain
Symrise has been making efforts for years to ensure that its suppliers increasingly satisfy strict climate protection criteria. 'With more than 5,000 suppliers and widely ramified supply chains, it is essential that we have the right framework conditions in place,' says Bernhard Kott, Chief Sustainability Officer at Symrise. In line with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, the company subjected all its suppliers to a sustainability risk assessment. Moreover, Symrise aims to procure 100 percent of its strategic biological raw materials from completely sustainable sources by 2025. Helmut Frieden, Vice President Corporate Sustainability: 'We have set ourselves other ambitious goals as well. For example, by 2030, we intend to bring the greenhouse gas emissions generated by our own business activities down to net zero.'
Just as in the previous year, the Holzminden-based company's commitment earned it a top A grade from the non-profit organization CDP in 2023. 'This excellent result in the rating motivates us to continue our chosen path. In the future, we want to increase the number of suppliers who define their own environmental targets as part of the CDP Supply Chain Program. After all, sustainable raw materials sourcing exerts a substantial impact on our long-term success. More and more customers and consumers are attaching importance to transparency and traceability in the supply chain,' says Bernhard Kott.
Symrise assumes a leading role in the supply chain
Since 2018, the non-profit organization CDP has used its Supplier Engagement Rating (SER) to evaluate the cooperation between companies and their suppliers regarding climate issues. Some of the assessment criteria include:
how the company integrates climate matters into its business strategy,
what targets the company has set in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
how high the emissions in the supply chain are (Scope 3 emissions), and
how the company incorporates suppliers into its climate protection measures.
The Supplier Engagement Leaderboard identifies companies that are actively cooperating with their suppliers on climate protection. An organization's average upstream emissions are around 11.5 times greater than their direct operations. Because of this, organizations have much greater potential to reduce global emissions by influencing their supply chains. 'As a Supplier Engagement Leader, Symrise is demonstrating supply chain leadership, a prerequisite for the transition towards a net-zero, nature-positive future,' says Simon Fischweicher, Director of Supply Chain and Reporter Services, CDP.
Source: Symrise.
Micro Ingredients
1+ MIN
15/12/2023
Protect your pet food from oxidation, naturally
In this article from Symrise Pet Food's blog you'll find a description of the mechanisms behind oxidation and also some tips to take advantage of antioxidants and naturally fight for freshness. You are invited to learn more HERE! Source: Symrise Pet Food
Market Information
5+ MIN
03/11/2023
Symrise Pet Food Eco-friendly plant in Colombia celebrates its 3 years
The factory in Colombia was the first to apply these new standards, including LEED certification, one of the most prestigious certifications of sustainable building systems. Today, the company is proud to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of this plant model. LEED Certification The factory built in Colombia obtained LEED Gold certification at the beginning of 2022. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainable building certification system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and began implementation in 1993. It currently offers four types of certifications (Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum), according to 7 criteria: Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Regional Priority, and Innovation. Christophe Salaün, General Manager of Symrise Pet Food Colombia, highlights the importance of Symrise Pet Food's choice to follow LEED standards: "Not only is it one of the most widespread green certification systems in the world, it is also one of the most demanding, reflecting Symrise Pet Food's commitment to a sustainable industry that truly preserves the planet's resources." Salaün adds: "Some examples of key actions implemented that meet LEED criteria include rainwater collection and use for sanitation facilities, high-level treatment for liquid disposal, optimization of site energy consumption through specific ventilation systems, heating and lighting, and the installation of photovoltaic systems." Water and energy Two of the main aspects that contribute to an eco-friendly industry are the efficient use of water and energy saving. In this sense, for the Colombia plant, a water well 173 meters deep was excavated that allows pumping groundwater through its own treatment plant, capable of reintroducing much of the necessary water into the circuit. "In this way, we can reduce the amount we take from municipal water supply plants to the point that today we are taking about 90% of the water needed for production from the well," explains Christophe Salaün. On the other hand, rainwater is collected and used for sanitary facilities and the air purification process. In addition, it is used for irrigation of vegetation planted around and inside the plant. In terms of energy, the installation of 240 solar panels provides the facilities with 13% of the electricity needed. A natural ventilation system generates optimal climate control inside the building, while an intelligent control system monitors the site's water and energy consumption. Green areas on roofs and facades improve air quality, help reduce noise, and save energy. Finally, as environmental compensation, 1,020 trees at least 1 meter high were planted. CO2 emissions were reduced by 33%. Closer, greener The Colombian plant serves the Andean region, supplying products to Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. Before its construction, the region received products mainly from Argentina and Brazil. Following the company's motto 'The Closer, the Better,' which aims to be close not only to its customers but also to its suppliers, the Colombian plant saves gas emissions from transport: around 65% of sales are located less than 500 km or less than 8 hours by land transport, while about 52% of customers in the Andean region are in Colombia. The local selection of ingredients also provides a significant reduction of ecological stress in the production of the product – 50% of the raw materials used are in Bogotá. Eco-designed products In addition to setting eco-friendly building standards, Symrise Pet Food developed a tool that measures the environmental impact of the product throughout its production chain. Called the Eco-design Matrix, it evaluates and supports Marketing and R&D teams in improving the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycle, from supply to delivery to the customer. This tool allows Symrise Pet Food to know the footprint data in each of the four main steps of the product life in which it has influence – sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, and logistics– and from seven environmental impacts: carbon emissions, land use, water use, acidification, abiotic depletion, eutrophication, and particulate matter. "With the Eco-design Matrix, we found a new driver of innovation," explains Anderson Conejo, LATAM Marketing Manager. "We can now select ingredients and design new products taking into account not only functionality and economic performance, but also environmental impacts over the life cycle." With this tool, Symrise Pet Food is now able to support customers who want to promote the sustainable development of their products. Joint effort After it was confirmed that July 2023 was the warmest month on record, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, warned: "The era of global warming is over, and the era of global boiling has arrived." A concerted effort is now essential to combat climate change and achieve truly sustainable development. That is why Symrise Pet Food proposes to make this trip together with all the actors involved in the pet food industry. The challenge is not minor: the growing demand depends on a limited availability of raw materials. On the other hand, regulatory and sanitary restrictions on the production and export of products are another challenge that must be faced. Finally, pet parents today demand natural, ethical, and transparent products. Symrise Pet Food proposes to consider these difficulties as an opportunity for collaboration that not only results in a product of excellence, but that contributes to caring for people, pets, and the planet. Its goal is to work together to bring to market solutions that provide sustainable sourcing, are secure, and generate long-term value. The efforts poured into the Colombian plant have not gone unnoticed: it has recently been nominated for the awards for "Business Environmental Excellence" of the Ministry of Environment of the Municipality of Tocancipá. The local environmental authority reviewed the environmental data (carbon footprint, water, energy, gas, waste management, treatment plants, boiler) and made a tour of the plant. "We were informed that we are going to be nominated for the award for corporate environmental excellence," said Christophe Salaün. This nomination was made by the local environmental authority in November, after visiting all the companies operating in Tocancipá. 'The election will be in early 2024. We hope to have good news', added Salaün. From this first model experience for the entire Symrise group, Symrise Pet Food is building its new plants (the most recent in Mexico and Brazil) following LEED standards, with the intention of contributing positively to a better world for future generations. Symrise Pet Food is a global leader in sustainable high-value solutions that improve pets' well-being and owners' satisfaction. The company offers multiple products and services that improve palatability, pet nutrition, and pet food protection. Symrise Pet Food is present on 5 continents with 1,750 employees, 32 sites, and 4 expert measurement centers with 1,100 dogs and cats. Source: All Pet Food Magazine
Market Information
1+ MIN
13/10/2023
Trending in North America: natural and nutritious pet food
Inflation was a key driver of growth but trends including premiumisation and usage of treats and toppers will prevail in the longer term, though. Mintel forecasts continued moderate growth as inflation eases in coming years, with a rise of 24% between 2022 and 2027 to $44.4 billion. In this new article on our blog you will be able to learn how the humanization trend supports trends in health and nutrition, as well as sustainability, within the pet food industry in North America. You are invited to read more! Source: Symrise Pet Food
Interviews
7+ MIN
21/07/2023
Interview with Juan Becher, General Manager of Symrise Pet Food in Mexico, about the role of the company in the industry
Based on more than 40 years of experience, Symrise Pet Food has achieved comprehensive knowledge of pets, products and markets, which has allowed it to position itself as a global leader in pet food palatability through its SPF brand. In addition, Symrise Pet Food has extended its offer to pet nutrition solutions with its brand Nutrios, pet food protection solutions with the Videka brand. Symrise Pet Food's ambition is to give all pets a better life by being at the heart of every eating experience by 2030. For Symrise Pet Food, proximity to stakeholders is key, according to the motto: "The closer the better". For this reason, in this 2023 the company continues with its expansion –which already has 31 sites distributed in 4 global regions– and has begun to build a new plant in Mexico, which follows the latest construction standards and puts sustainability at the heart of the factory design and operations. We spoke with Juan Becher, General Manager of the Mexico subsidiary, to learn more about the characteristics of the new plant, the production of pet food in Mexico, the future of the market and the role of Symrise Pet Food in the industry as a global leader. Juan, can you tell us a little about yourself and Symrise Pet Food in Mexico? Symrise Pet Food began operating in Mexico in September 2004, and I joined the company in April 2005 as Production Manager. I remember that at that time we were really very few: barely 8 employees running the entire company. During the next 10 years, we had many challenges, but without a doubt there were many more satisfactions! In 2015, as the structure was similar to the current organization, I took the responsibility of leading the commercial management of Mexico and Central America; and in 2021, I assumed the position of General Manager of Mexico. For those of us who do not live in Mexico, could you briefly tell us what is the Mexican pet food market like and what is its current context? Back in 2004, Mexico was the seventh pet food producing country; today we can say that we are the fourth, with around 1,700,000 tons produced in 2022 and according to our internal estimates. We only have very large markets above us, such as the United States, Brazil and China. As in the other countries in the region, Mexico is a country dominated by dogs (small ones mostly), but with a remarkable growth in the cat population. The phenomenon of urbanization is not unknown to us, since almost 25% of the population in Mexico is concentrated in the 3 most important cities. The effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine forced all producers to reassess their strategies and adapt them to the "value for money" that is heard so often. Fortunately, the Mexican pet food industry is robust and has a lot of investment behind it, so each kibble produced has the value that pet owners seek when feeding their companions. What could you tell us about the new plant that you started to build? The new plant will be located in the city of Querétaro, very close to the current one. In 2021 we acquired a 2-hectare piece of land to build the offices and the production plant. In total, we are talking about 6,600 square meters and a total of 4 buildings. Like the new plants in Brazil and Colombia, our plant will have high standards in terms of infrastructure, process technologies and automation, thanks to which we will be able to continue manufacturing the environmentally responsible products that our customers choose and need. Industry and market knowledge Nobody ignores that Latin America is one of the regions that appreciates pets the most. In addition to being one of the regions with most pets per inhabitant, a recent statistic found that 67% of the people in Latin America prefer their pets to their friends. Symrise Pet Food works with the commitment to contribute not only to the benefit of the pet, but also to the close affective relationship between the pet owner and the pet, who in many cases, is considered as another member of the family. Juan, what could you tell us about Symrise Pet Food's contribution to the industry? Thanks to our commercial and productive network around the world, we have a comprehensive knowledge of the local manufacturer and its needs, but also of the pet owners and their pets, who are always looking for new and better products. These three, without a doubt, are the main players in the pet food industry and the ones that make the wheel of our industry turn. In our almost 20 years of presence in the Mexican market, we have always considered it important to listen to them and find solutions that meet their expectations. When we talk about food for our beloved pets, it is extremely important to provide confidence and safety at all times: from the moment before the reception of raw materials to the dispatch and delivery to the customer. The plant and our work teams support the pet food industry by offering the highest quality and food safety globally, to meet (and exceed) everyone's expectations. Through our Aplicalis team, we go beyond the simple delivery of products and provide our clients with more than 40 years of experience and leadership in the palatability market to improve both their production processes and the application of palatants. In short, we help them produce that food or treat that they thought of and want to launch on the market. The importance of sustainability Symrise Pet Food was born from the desire to value by-products, which is why from its origins it has included sustainable development in its strategy. Its roadmap is based on four pillars: Footprint (to minimize the environmental footprint throughout the value chain), Innovation (to maximize the social and environmental performance of products), Sourcing (to maximize the sustainability of the supply chain and raw materials) and Care (to improve the well-being of employees and the local community). Through them, the company seeks to improve its performance in various areas to achieve the goals set by the United Nations for 2030, with special attention to the challenge of reaching 2030 while being neutral with respect to the emission of greenhouse gases. We asked Juan Becher to elaborate on the value of sustainability and Symrise Pet Food's commitment in this regard. You mentioned responsibility with the environment before, something key in the current situation of the planet. How important do you think sustainability is today in the Mexican pet food market? In my opinion, in 2023 all companies in the industry should consider sustainability as an indispensable factor when planning their activities and processes. Although broadly speaking the pet food industry has its origins in the revalorization of by-products, technological advances and access to information have made it clear that the traditional ways of producing must change. At Symrise Pet Food we have a tool that has added a lot of value to our products and, consequently, to pet food and its industry: the Ecodesign Matrix. With it we measure the environmental impact of a product before and after its production; we measure the impact of our raw materials and ingredients, their transportation and later the impact of transporting our products to the customer. In this way, we can develop alternatives with the same palatability performance, but with a substantial improvement in environmental impacts. Currently, the big players are the millennials (generation Y) and, although they are not yet mature in terms of income, they are the biggest group of owners of pets and are very involved in caring for the environment. They seek to guide their consumption towards truly responsible brands that face the new challenges of industrial design. Now, answering your question, I think that the Mexican market is giving it the corresponding importance. Thanks to our close contact with almost all pet food producers, I know that they are working to develop more and better products that are ethical and environmentally responsible. According to Mintel, in 2018, 10% of the products launched in the Mexican market had one or more claims in the "Ethical and environmental" category, and in 2022 we were in the order of 21%. We are certainly going on the right path. How do you see the market in Mexico and our region 10 years from now? Since I started working in the industry, I have not ceased to be surprised by the growth and maturation that it experiences year after year. Our new plant is designed with the market of the next 10 years in mind; a much more robust, developed market with a greater offer of wet products and treats, both for dogs and cats. The idea of outstanding eating experiences, natural ingredients and functional foods that improve the lives of pets will be determining issues for their owners, as they have been for several years. Thank you very much Juan for your time. Would you like to add anything else to close? First of all, I want to thank our clients who trust us every day and know that we put all our effort into giving them the best solutions to their needs; without them we would not be the undisputed leaders in palatability. Secondly, and no less important, I would like to thank you for spreading the word about everything we do at Symrise Pet Food, as well as spreading what our colleagues and clients do. I think it is essential to do, but you also have to make it known. Developing the pet food industry and modifying the forms of production is everyone's work and commitment. By: Symrise Pet Food Source: All Pet Food Magazine
Market Information
1+ MIN
13/07/2023
How to measure pet food palatability: methods overview
All pet food manufacturers want their products to be eaten. All pet food manufacturers thus need to design palatable pet foods. But how to know whether a product is appetizing? How to know whether Max will run to his bowl to eat his kibbles? Or whether fish is more attractive to Kitty than a mouse? And what about pet owner? Should is opinion be part of the equation? From acceptance measurement to enjoyment assessment, DISCOVER METHODS to uncover what pets crave for... Source: Symrise Pet Food
Market Information
1+ MIN
28/03/2023
Pet food market trends in APAC, insights from pet fairs
These tradeshows gave visitors from more than 60 countries the opportunity to discover how trends in humanization, nutrition and health, as well as the emergence of innovative processes and new ingredients, are shaping the pet food market in APAC. Get into the Symrise Pet Food's BLOG Appetizer and find out the most relevant products from the Asian pet food market launched in 2022. Source: Symrise Pet Food
Market Information
1+ MIN
13/02/2023
The Latin American pet food market: driving health and sustainability
Additionally, pet owners in Latin America are keen to explore functional health options for their pets in addition to supporting sustainability initiatives. This article explores how the pet food industry in Latin America will evolve by identifying key commercial opportunities. You are invited to read this article on APPETIZER!
Interviews
5+ MIN
07/09/2022
Interview with Emily Tarbagayre, General Manager of Symrise Pet Food Argentina
Dear Emilie, for us it´s a great honor you have granted us this interview, so could you give us a brief personal introduction?
I was born and lived in France until 2006, at which time I came to Brazil in search of international experience. Regarding my studies, I'm an Agricultural Engineer specialized in food and I am currently studying an Executive MBA at Insper in São Paulo.
The same year that I arrived to Brazil, I began my career within Symrise Pet Food as head of Quality & Environment for that country; In 2008 I assumed the responsibility of directing the Development and Technical Support department (DST) for Latin America, being involved, among other things, in developing specific solutions for our clients and technically assisting them in the search for more palatable and specific diets.
And now you have become the new general manager of Symrise Pet Food Argentina; Why that change? What are the challenges you will have in this new position?
This change is framed in a significant structuring of the company; After several years of evolution and reorganization within the Symrise Group by (among others) the Diana group, at the beginning of March we announced worldwide the birth of Symrise Pet Food, a company with the experience and dimensions necessary to take on the challenges of the pet food industry of tomorrow. Thanks to the acquisition of companies such as ADF, Schaffelaarbos, or the recent Wing Pet Food in China, Symrise Pet Food required many people to take on new roles to answer these challenges. Without going any further we have Diego Maurizio, our former regional director as global director of the palatability business... a completely new and necessary position for these times.
Regarding my new position I can tell you that I´m very excited because despite the current economic situation in Argentina, the pet food market continues to be very promising. Thanks to being the country with the highest rate of pet ownership in households (in 2021 and according to Euromonitor, 7 out of 10 households had at least one dog), the Argentine market is the third Latin American market according to sales volumes. Personally I think there is a lot to develop and fortunately the manufacturers know this and are working on it.
My time in the regional management of DST allowed me to work closely with clients managing their daily challenges: new needs, increasingly complex raw material supply scenarios, an industrial production context with new technologies, processes and rapid expansion, among others. Having been in close contact with our clients for more than 10 years was one of the reasons why they entrusted me with this new position and which I hope to be able to develop to meet everyone's expectations.
Based on Symrise Pet Food's global experience, could you tell us about your solutions and services to improve pet welfare and owner satisfaction?
Symrise Pet Food acts in the market with the offer of 3 groups of solutions that address essential aspects of pet food: palatability, nutrition and food protection.
SPF, our brand of liquid and powder palatants, has been present in the world market for more than 40 years, turning feeding moments into moments of shared happiness. Nutrios, for its part, seeks to provide, through natural ingredients, animal nutrition in accordance with the current high demands of pet parents. Finally, Videka, a joint venture with Kalsec, is responsible for creating the next generation of natural antioxidants for the entire range of pet food and snacks.
Symrise Pet Food also owns Panelis, the leading expert measurement center providing reliable and innovative data on the eating behaviors and sensory preferences of dogs and cats, while setting the highest standards in terms of animal welfare. Thanks to this broad portfolio we can fully serve all producers who want to go one step further and develop the pet food of the future.
Taking into account the importance that pets have acquired within the family, and the demands of their parents when it comes to feeding them, how do you think the Pet Food market will look like in a few years?
In recent years the pet food market has grown faster than other industries; And not to mention during the pandemic where certain consumption behaviors by pet parents are here to stay. Double income and no kids (DINK), Social Networks and urbanization are three sociocultural factors that, in my opinion, orchestrate our industry and take it to a point of maturity that has only been seen (partially) in more developed markets.
I believe that in a few years we'll have a much more robust, premiumized Latin American market, and, above all, much more committed to the environment and the new "green" standards of living. Failure to address this will be decisive when declaring the success or not of a product.
As Symrise is a company committed to the environment, could you tell us how you respond to these challenges of generating more sustainable processes?
Sustainability has been present in the DNA of Symrise Pet Food since its origins, valuing side-streams and turning them into products of the highest quality at a global level. Likewise, we developed an agenda that closely follows the sustainable objectives set by the UN and thanks to which we work to reduce our carbon footprint, water consumption, supply of raw materials, innovation, building and process improvements, year after year, as well as caring for both employees and local communities (among others).
Regarding the innovation mentioned above, I can tell you that when formulating a new product we use our tool called the Eco-Design Matrix. With it we can measure 7 environmental impacts that occur in the production process. Did you know that pet food supplies generate about 80% of its environmental impacts? Thanks to the Eco-Design Matrix we can evaluate different alternatives to reach the same result with a significant decrease in environmental impacts and deliver to our client a product fully aligned with their sustainability strategies. In this way we are contributing in a pragmatic way to the reduction of the environmental footprint of our clients and the achievement of their sustainability goals.
I would also like to tell you that in 2019 Symrise Pet Food decided, together with the beginning of the construction of its plant in Colombia, that all new plants will have LEED certification (certification for sustainable buildings, developed by The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) . For this very reason, the plants we are building in Brazil and Mexico will be part of the select group of LEED-certified green buildings that are the future of the industry.
Is there anything else you want to add?
I would like to take advantage of this moment to invite all readers to visit us at our CIPAL booth; as well as the manufacturers who want to know more about our palatability solutions, and ofcourse suppliers who want to introduce us to new businesses to continue developing the pet food industry. The Symrise Pet Food team and I are very excited to be back at face-to-face events and meeting all of our customers. We are waiting for you!
by All Pet Food
Market Information
2+ MIN
13/07/2022
Symrise completes acquisition of Chinese manufacturer Wing Pet Food
According to the company, Wing Pet Food has established itself as a Chinese leader in pet food palatability enhancers and a supplier of pet food nutrition and pet food protection ingredients. 'Joining forces with Wing Pet Food will open tremendous opportunities in the region,' observed Alain Symoens, APAC General Manager for Symrise Pet Food. Symrise Pet Foods, a division formed earlier in the year as a result of the fusion of Diana Pet Food, ADF, IsoNova and Schaffelaarbos, expects to provide pet food manufacturers with a wider range of products to support their positioning across China and adjacent markets. 'This acquisition will further strengthen our market position in the areas of pet food palatability. At the same time, it will accelerate our diversification in the areas of nutrition and food protection. Customers will definitely benefit from the enhanced value proposition we will jointly offer,' commented Jean-Yves Parisot, President Taste, Nutrition & Health at Symrise AG. Integration It now begins a process of 'smooth integration' with the 200 employees that Wing Pet Food has in its R&D center in Shanghai and two production sites in the provinces of Jiangxi and Jiangsu. Formerly known as Wing Biotech when first created in 2007, Wing Pet Food is an R&D-oriented company focused on developing and providing pet food palatability solutions. Over the years, it has grown into a high-tech firm with two business units, Wing Bio and Witts Bio, focusing on pet food palatability and health & nutrition respectively. Wing Pet Food serves both local and overseas customers across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East. By: Symrise Pet Food
Market Information
1+ MIN
08/06/2022
Humanisation underpins the future of pet food
COVID-19 has accelerated the long evolving concept of humanisation, whereby pet food trends mirror human food trends such as sustainability and health. As more pet owners become aware of the carbon footprint of their pets, launch activity in pet food is focusing more overtly on sustainability. Pet food brands are responding accordingly with environmentally friendly packaging, as well as eco-friendly ingredients such as insect protein. In line with monitoring their own health, consumers are also keen to improve pet health, with pet owners turning to supplements for added nutritional benefits. This article explores how the pet food world will evolve in the near future and beyond by identifying opportunities that matter for the industry. Keep reading...
Market Information
1+ MIN
10/05/2022
Symrise Pet Food to build new pet food palatant plant in US
The state-of-the-art facility, which will be completed by 2025, will allow the company to meet increased demand and grow its powder palatant product lines. Symrise Pet Food General Manager for North America Tim Lonc said that this expansion is a 'key step' for the business. 'As the pet food industry keeps growing, we are committed to supporting our customers' needs and are always looking for ways to reach out for new opportunities.' The new facility will also create 65 new jobs. Source: Global Pets
