INTERVIEW FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2021 39 barrier. In the literature, several studies can be found about the use of plasma in different animal species with positive effects on animal health, mortality and growth performance. Another important contribution to animal health is the absence in animal proteins of anti-nutritional factors that negatively affect nutrient absorption. Vegetable proteins generally contain high levels of anti-nutritional factors and even mycotoxins that can harm the health of animals. Demand for animal-based food production is growing rapidly around the world. In order to meet this demand, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue both in animal husbandry and in feed production. According to your opinion, how do your products contribute to the industry in terms of sustainability? The sustainability aspect will in the near future take a prominent role in the evaluation and selection of raw materials in feed, next to the existing nutritional, productivity and health criteria. Animal proteins contribute largely to these sustainability requirements in contrast to vegetable proteins, fish meal, antibiotics and zinc oxide. Recycled valuable animal proteins have a much lower carbon footprint than vegetable proteins that are grown specifically for animal feed. There are also fewer concerns about indirect land use change, particularly the effect of soy production on tropical rainforests. The pressure on wild fisheries will also reduce by using animal proteins instead of fish meal. Thanks to the spray drying technology used for the production of blood products and egg powder, the proteins are highly digestible and as a consequence there will be less environmental pollution in terms of nitrogen emission. Plasma powder is a sustainable alternative for antibiotics and zinc oxide in feed. Hence, plasma contributes to the reduction of the level of antibiotic resistant bacteria and zinc excretion in the environment. Could you please talk a little bit about your future goals, plans, and new products, if any, that you will put on the market? We are constructing a new production plant of blood products in Spain and the intention is to start production during the second trimester of this year. Spain is one of Europe’s most important countries for animal-based food production and for the VEOS Group it is of strategic importance to be present there. Together with our R&D team we are always looking to new application for our existing product portfolio and performing field trials, but of course we are also developing new products that we launch on the market. Finally, what would you like to add? In most continents, the inclusion of animal proteins is a certainty in feed formulations. However, there is still work in order to change the opinion of decision makers at governments, supermarkets and fast food chains about animal proteins. As sustainability and health will become more and more important in daily life, I sincerely hope public opinion will embrace valuable animal proteins as a safe, healthy, sustainable and affordable raw material within animal feed.
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