AAF - The Markets: Feed

The Markets - Feed

Starch products are most and foremost a natural source of vegetable raw materials, which have become of a strategic importance in pet food and animal feed. Starch products are used as a binding agent, thickener, sweetener, carrier and gelatinising agent, but also for the valuable nutritive components of their protein, carbohydrate, fibres, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Pet food

The high protein content of starch co-products makes them a very good meat substitute for pet food, while native and modified starches are used as binders and thickeners. Other starch products are also used as basic ingredients, for example as a source of fibres, or for the sweetening and colouring of pet food.

Animal feed

Carefully formulated animal feed and health-promotion products obtained from starch help farmers meet today's very high consumer standards. The starch co-products are a natural source of very digestible protein. Other starch derivatives are used to help the digestibility of the animal feed, while some contribute to the protection of the animal's liver functions. Due to their nutritive value, starch products also make an ideal milk substitute for calves.

Aquafeed

The high purity and bacteriological quality of the starch industry's products has led to their incorporation in aquafeed, in replacement for fish meal. Starch products are commonly used for their nutritive value, for example as a source of carbohydrates or for their vitamin content. They are particularly suitable for feed intended for young fish. In addition, starch and starch derivatives are used as processing aids, as a binding agent, a thickener, to stabilise the viscosity of the feed, etc.