Turning raw materials into meat-like premium chunks with DANA’s rotary disc texturizer

How can pet food manufacturers turn underutilized by-products into something pets find desirable and, at the same time, good for business? At DANA, we believe an advanced texturization process answers that question.

Through mechanical rotation and heating, texturization technology turns emulsified meats into fibrous chunks that mimic the appearance, feel, and taste of real meat, getting the most value out of by-products and lower-value ingredients.

From raw materials to premium products

One of the biggest opportunities for pet food manufacturers is repurposing what would traditionally be waste or ingredients used in low-end products, such as machine-separated meat from the bone, poultry and fish trimmings, and prime cut-offs.

Instead of going into low-value applications such as flour, oil or biogas production, these materials can be turned into high-quality textured protein using the DANA Rotary Disc Texturizer (RDT).

The RDT uses mechanical rotation and thermal energy to coagulate proteins and carbohydrates, creating a meat-like texture that delivers the bite, chew, and elasticity of real meat. The result keeps the natural appearance pets and their owners find appealing, making it well suited for premium pet food.

Texturization relies on rapid denaturation and coagulation of proteins within the emulsion. As the RDT applies heat and constant movement, proteins undergo structural changes that, depending on the protein type, occur between 50 and 70°C.

This precise process creates a fibrous, meat-like texture and allows denatured proteins to aggregate into solid chunks.

Making pet food production sustainable

The RDT offers a practical way to repurpose by-products and supports sustainability by reducing the reliance of manufacturers on prime cuts typically used for human consumption. The shift contributes to a more resource-efficient food production system and helps pet food manufacturers strengthen their position in a tough market.

Vagn Hansen, CEO of DANA, explains: “Our RDT allows manufacturers to turn by-products into high-quality products that meet the growing demand for sustainability and profitability in the pet food industry, and it is a way to increase profit from day one.”

Meet us at Interzoo 2026

This year, we are attending Interzoo in Nuremberg, 12-15 May, the international trade fair for the pet industry. If you are attending, we are glad to meet you, and explore how DANA solutions can make a difference in your production. You will find us in Hall 4A, Booth 419.

DANA Technology ApS
pfo@dana-technology.dk / +45 44 12 70 43
https://dana-technology.dk

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