SUSTAINABILITY 74 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 betaine hydrochloride). All betaine sources deliver identical betaine, and the supplemented betaine is metabolized in the same way in the animal’s body. This has been proven in two recent trials, performed at independent research laboratories, where different betaine samples were analysed using advanced analytical techniques: - UHPLC – HRMS (Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – High Resolution Mass Spectrometry); - 1D 1H NMR spectroscopy (one Dimensional proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). While the nutritional value of betaine from different origins and types is equal, other product characteristics are important for selecting the most suitable product. LCA is a valuable tool for comparing the environmental contribution of feed additives, but assessments must follow the same methodology (database, software, scope) for valid comparisons. Orffa conducted an LCA to compare Excential Beta-Key (synthetic betaine hydrochloride) with synthetic anhydrous betaine with regards to the different environmental impact categories per kilogram of feed additive. Excential Beta-Key outperformed anhydrous betaine in all parameters studied, mainly due to a less environmentally damaging production process and a lower footprint of the used raw materials (Figure 2). While all betaine sources provide the same nutritional value, Excential Beta-Key stands out for its lower environmental footprint, making it a more sustainable choice. SUSTAINABILITY IS MORE THAN CARBON FOOTPRINT As seen in Figure 2, LCAs do not focus solely on carbon footprint but on many other important parameters such as land use. Understanding these factors is essential for assessing sustainability and the role of feed additives in reducing their impacts. Some of these parameters, included in the ReCiPe method for life cycle impact assessment, are: - Terrestrial acidification; refers to deposition of atmospheric acidifying substances (nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide) during animal rearing and feed cultivation. These emissions can lead to soil acidification, negatively impacting ecosystems and plant species. - Freshwater and marine eutrophication; refers to the enrichment of water bodies with nutrients. Excess nitrogen (in marine environments) and phosphorus (in freshwater) from fertilizers can cause algae growth, depleting oxygen and suffocating aquatic life. - Land use; refers to the area of land occupied for feed crops and animal rearing. Reducing land use positively affects biodiversity. - Land use change; refers to transforming natural land into productive land, such as reclaiming forests for vegetable oil production. Orffa, as a pioneer in sustainability, strongly commits to sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture and integrates all relevant factors to assess the environmental impact of its feed solutions. For instance, Excential Energy Plus demonstrated reductions not only in carbon footprint but also in terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and land use (up to -1.4%, -3.9%, and -3.0%, respectively). Carbon footprint Acidification Eutrophication 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Land use XC Beta-Key Synthetic anhydrous betaine Figure 2. Carbon footprint of Excential Beta-Key and synthetic anhydrous betaine
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