ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2025 73 100,000 tons of feed produced annually 30 kg per ton lost moisture €350 average selling price of finished product €1,050,000 loss of value moisture levels in the feed mean starch gelatinization is improved and feed digestibility increases, therefore supporting improved animal performance. MOISTURE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES Traditional moisture management products relied on surfactants and propionic acid which lack longevity, stability and consistency in commercial milling conditions. Esters of fatty acids are well known emulsifiers and surfactants. ProSid™ Pellet Pro represents a breakthrough in moisture management solutions and contains: • Glycerol esters of propionic acid which: - allow for more penetration of moisture in the feed materials, - help to draw water into the feed pellets as bound moisture, - support mold inhibition programs, improving the shelf life of the final feed, - have a prolonged efficacy, - are stable, less-corrosive with no dangerous goods restrictions on transport or storage. • Surfactants which substantially lower the water surface tension for improved moisture distribution. • Glycerol which acts as a humectant, capable of holding many times its own weight in water. The combination of activities in ProSid™ Pellet Pro (Figure 1): • Enhances moisture absorption into feed particles, giving feed producers the ability to replace moisture that evaporates during pelleting, increasing volumes and throughput. • Reduces free water and lowers water activity (aW) which supports microbial control. • Improves starch gelatinization which reduces moisture migration and caking for improved pellet quality. • Reduces volatility leading to the persistence of the product and its functions. ProSid™ PELLET PRO IN PRACTICE ProSid™ Pellet Pro has been tested in many commercial trials in various feed mills and extruder plants, with consistent results throughout (Figure 2). What is water activity? Moisture percentage tells us how much water is present in the feed. Water activity (aW) is a measure of the water available for microbial growth and chemical reactions ranging from 0 (completely dry) to 1.0 (pure water). An aW over 0.65 is conducive to mold growth. Factors such as temperature, humidity, storage conditions and internal water migration all influence water activity. The central goal of a moisture management program is to reduce the aW. Water without ProSid™ Pellet Pro Water with ProSid™ Pellet Pro Feed particle without ProSid™ Pellet Pro: accumulation of moisture in the outer layer Feed particle with ProSid™ Pellet Pro: more equal spread of moisture Figure 1. Illustration of ProSid™ Pellet Pro interacting with water to improve absorption and distribution Figure 2. The financial impact of 3% evaporation loss per 100,000 tons of feed
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