DSM-Firmenich has inaugurated the NextGen Itatiba facility in Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil, dedicated to producing vitamin and mineral premixes for cats and dogs. This facility will serve as the company’s main manufacturing and supply hub for pet nutrition in South America. The development of this regional facility involved collaboration with Globalfood.
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This opening represents DSM-Firmenich’s ongoing investment in its global network of specialized pet food premix facilities, following earlier inaugurations in Europe and North America. Francisco Fienga, president of DSM-Firmenich Brazil, emphasized that the facility's establishment is part of a long-term strategic commitment to prioritize pet nutrition, supported by advanced formulation science and a robust innovation pipeline.
NextGen Itatiba has been built to meet food-grade certification standards, ensuring that production is limited exclusively to pet nutrition and does not compete for resources with commercial feed. It features capabilities to blend a wide range of dry powder ingredients, allowing manufacturers to customize recipes according to their specific brand needs and the nutritional requirements of different pets.
Located 100 kilometers from São Paulo, the facility is well-positioned to utilize significant infrastructure and distribution networks to effectively meet the demands of pet food brands across South America. Globalfood, a partner of DSM-Firmenich with three decades of experience in food technology, will manage operations as a toll manufacturer, while DSM-Firmenich will oversee formulation, raw material sourcing, quality control, and product release.
Victor Hasserodt, general manager at Globalfood, expressed enthusiasm about expanding their partnership with DSM-Firmenich to enhance the availability of pet nutrition solutions in Brazil and beyond. The facility features a commitment to sustainability, incorporating solar energy generation, water reuse systems, and reforestation initiatives.
Joseph Fernandes, regional sales VP for Pet Food at DSM-Firmenich, noted that South America is one of the fastest-growing markets for pet nutrition globally. By establishing a dedicated facility in this burgeoning market, DSM-Firmenich aims to bolster its long-term commitment to the region and serve local manufacturers, pet owners, and their pets. Earlier this year, the company also completed a $10 million modernization at its U.S. premix hub in Schenectady, New York, and recently introduced a microalgal oil with an omega-3 ratio equivalent to fish oil for pet nutrition.