Round-up: Pet nutrition firms invest in new plants and production hubs

From the Americas to Europe and Australia, pet players are expanding production capacities amid rising demand for pet nutrition. GlobalPETS highlights the latest developments. 

MHP Pet Food

Ukrainian food producer MHP has unveiled Croatia’s first wet pet food production facility in Zlatar Bistrica, approximately 60 km from Zagreb.

The €43 million ($49M) facility will manufacture the company’s new pet food brand, Proof. According to MHP, it was developed in response to growing demand for premium pet food. Products under the brand will feature high meat content, controlled-origin raw materials and grain-free formulas.

“Our competitive advantages include full control over the supply of raw materials, world-class production standards and a strong focus on product quality. We have utilized MHP’s vertically integrated business model and food industry expertise to launch Proof,” says Oleksii Bezuglyi, Director of MHP Pet Food.

The new facility also reflects the company’s circular economy strategy with Perutnina Ptuj, one of the region’s leading poultry and meat producers, by using its by-products. 

Nestlé Purina

Nestlé Purina will inaugurate its $550 million (€485M) factory in Clermont County, Ohio, for full-scale production this September. The investment was announced in 2020, with initial completion originally expected by 2023.

The 1.2-million sq ft facility will produce dry dog and cat food under the brands Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE and Dog Chow.

In addition, the facility is the company’s most technologically advanced pet food factory, utilizing robotics and innovative digital tools, and featuring a training center to promote learning and development.

Golden Pet Brands

Los Angeles-based pet food marketer and manufacturer Golden Pet Brands has acquired a pet food production facility in Seward, Nebraska.

Spanning 170,000 sq ft, the facility will produce pet food and treats exclusively for the company’s portfolio, including Dr. Marty Pets and Ultimate Pet Nutrition.

Following the acquisition, Golden Pet Brands now operates 2 manufacturing facilities in the US, in addition to its Wisconsin site. 

The facility is designed to produce a range of pet food and treat formats. It was built in 2019 and expanded between 2021 and 2022. The site holds SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification and is registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

dsm-firmenich

dsm-firmenich has opened NextGen Itatiba, its new dedicated pet nutrition premix facility in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

According to the European nutrition and ingredients company, NextGen Itatiba will produce vitamin and mineral premixes for domestic cats and dogs and will serve as the group’s primary manufacturing and supply hub for pet nutrition in South America.

The facility will operate in partnership with Globalfood, a firm specializing in ingredient development, serving as a dedicated toll manufacturer, while dsm-firmenich retains responsibility for formulation, raw material sourcing, quality control and product release.

“As part of our certified food ingredients campus, NextGen Itatiba benefits from well-established sustainability infrastructure, including solar energy generation, water reuse systems and reforestation initiatives,” says Victor Hasserodt, General Manager at Globalfood.

Mars

Mars is opening a new A$112.5 million ($73M/€67M) wet pouch facility this month as part of the expansion of its pet food factory in Wodonga, Victoria, approximately 345 km southwest of Canberra. 

The expansion forms part of Mars’ plan to invest A$200 million ($130M/€119M) in its Australian manufacturing operations by the end of 2027 to expand capacity, fuel innovation and support the company’s renewable energy targets.

According to Melodie Nye, Managing Director and General Manager Petcare Australia and New Zealand, the investment will enable Mars to increase operational efficiencies and meet customer and consumer expectations.