From gluten-free pasta to plant-based pet food: Italian firm makes its debut in pet nutrition

A leading Italian gluten-free pasta manufacturer has recently entered the pet food market with a new range that builds on its existing credentials in the human food sector.  

Puglia-headquartered Andriani Group is best known for its innovation and sustainability in the human food sector, particularly its Felicia gluten-free pasta brand. The company has now launched Proggy Care, a line of completely plant-based pet food. 

Officially introduced at Zoomark 2025, the brand brings a fresh and ethical perspective to pet nutrition, featuring no animal-derived ingredients, zero waste and uncompromising quality and palatability.

“The current model is ethically outdated and environmentally unsustainable,” says Michele Andriani, President and CEO of Andriani. “We designed Proggy Care to offer a real alternative, one that supports animal health without reinforcing the cycle of animal exploitation.”

€5 million 

The launch follows 5 years of research and over €5 million ($5.7M) invested in developing a product that’s nutritionally complete, highly digestible and entirely cruelty-free. 

Created in collaboration with veterinarians, food technologists and agricultural research centers, Proggy Care’s formula draws from human-grade ingredients, such as lentils, chickpeas and peas, which are rich in amino acids and fiber. 

The company states that in Europe, plant-based pet food now accounts for 25% of new product launches, up from 10% in 2020. 

Circular approach

Sustainability is a key factor of the Proggy Care offering.

Over 90% of the ingredients come from upcycled by-products of the human food industry, materials that are nutrient-rich but traditionally underutilized. These ingredients are sourced through regenerative agriculture projects across Italy, and all are traceable.

The product is manufactured at Andriani’s Gravina facility in Puglia, which has been carbon-neutral since 2024, powered by solar and biomass energy, and supported by a high-efficiency trigeneration plant. 

Looking ahead 

Proggy Care’s launch is just the beginning for Andriani, which has a business plan that runs through 2028.

Key to this plan is the goal of expanding into the super-premium segment of the pet market. Upcoming developments include formulations for cats, wet food products and broader retail distribution, from large-scale retail to specialty pet stores.

“We’re not just responding to a market trend,” says Michele Andriani. “We’re bringing our core values – planet care, biodiversity, and social responsibility – into a sector that’s overdue for transformation.”