Pet food industry ramps up production with fresh investments

Pet food manufacturers are expanding their production capacity as demand continues to increase across key markets. GlobalPETS examines the recent expansions in the industry. 

Coveris 

Vienna-based packaging company Coveris, which also operates in the pet food industry, has completed the modernization of its plant in Halle, 170 km from Berlin.

The company invested €9.5 million ($11.1M) to increase efficiency in producing wet pet food formats, particularly retort pouches and transversal sealing and clipping automation (TSCA) applications.

“The upgraded rotogravure printing capability delivers stable register, higher speeds, and consistent quality for these products that rely on premium print for shelf impact,” Katja Killian, Development Director for BU Flex Business at Coveris, tells GlobalPETS.

Upgrades include a new cast film extrusion line for developing recyclable monofilms, a T9 Rotomec gravure press that boosts print quality and speed, and a new warehouse that streamlines logistics and expands storage capacity.

“The modernization supports pet food brands in meeting their environmental goals by enabling the use of more sustainable packaging formats, including those made from monomaterials and incorporating recycled content, alongside improved, efficient production processes,” says Björn Wissmann, Plant Manager at Coveris Halle.

In addition, Killian notes that the Coveris Halle site will join Firminy and Pirtó as one of the company’s principal pet food hubs. 

Bühler

Swiss manufacturer Bühler unveiled a new Puffing Application Center in Uzwil, approximately 60 km from Zurich, offering food and feed producers industrial-scale capabilities to develop plant-based products.

Puffing is a hydrothermal process that uses heat and pressure to significantly expand the volume of raw materials. According to Bühler, puffing enhances digestibility by breaking down starches, extends shelf life by reducing moisture, preserves nutrients and allows easy enrichment with vitamins, minerals or proteins.

“With this center, we are ready to support customers worldwide – not only in food, but also in pet food and feed, where demand for crispy, nutritious products is on the rise,” says Christoph Vogel, Head of Business Unit Human Nutrition at Bühler. “It is an invitation to the industry to innovate sustainably and cost-effectively, amid growing pressure on margins and supply chains.”

Snellman Group

Snellman Group has finalized a €17 million ($19.8M) investment to build a new MUSH pet food factory in Pedersöre, 460 km northwest of Helsinki. Construction of the zero-emission production plant commenced in July and is scheduled for completion in May 2026.

“We have a real need for a modern production facility to meet the increased demand and expand our product range… At the same time, we want to be creating a new standard for the construction of modern and energy-efficient production plants,” says Magnus Pettersson, Director of the Snellman Petfood Business Unit.

The facility will use carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a refrigerant to cool down freezer rooms. 

The expansion is driven by the rising demand for raw pet food in Finland, the Nordic countries and across Europe. The new facility will enhance production capacity, expand the product portfolio and reinforce the company’s commitment to natural pet food and animal welfare.

In March 2025, the company announced plans to build a new pet food factory in Pedersöre, Ostrobothnia. In May, it received a construction and environmental permit from the municipality.

Formula Raw

Canadian pet food manufacturer Formula Raw unveiled a new 15,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. This expansion will boost the company’s monthly freeze-dried production from 7,500 kg to over 30,000 kg, quadrupling output and enabling the brand to reliably support new retail and distribution partners in the US. 

The USDA-approved facility will mark the entry of Formula Raw’s Canadian-made freeze-dried food and treats for dogs and cats into the US market. The company is currently seeking US retail and distribution partners.

Formula Raw produces pet food from grass-fed beef, organ meats, chicken and humanely raised duck from Quebec farms. It exports its products to Asia and is expanding into Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).