APC is a world leader in the manufacture and sale of functional blood-derived plasma proteins and red blood cell products. Using a byproduct, animal blood generated by the meat industry, they manufacture high-value-added functional proteins. These proteins are utilized as ingredients in animal feed diets and also serve as biostimulants and fertilizers for organic agriculture.
Belonging to the international LGI group, APC is a consortium of independent companies dedicated to researching and producing products aimed at improving health and nutrition. Founded in 1975 in Iowa, USA, APC currently operates multiple production plants and commercial offices across various countries in Europe, North America, and Latin America.
As far as pet food is concerned pet food APC products are used in the production of dry food, treats and supplements as well as wet and semi-moist food. As expected, in this success story, we will focus on the second type of food, which requires pasteurization or sterilization. This is the category for which APC Europe utilized our autoclave.
Problem: evolution of the pet food market
Scientific and technological advances, along with the search for food better suited to the needs of dogs and cats, have led to wet or semi-moist food being increasingly recommended by specialists and more frequently requested by pet owners. According to 2021 data published in All Pet Food Magazine, wet feed accounts for 44% of total pet food sales in Europe, while dry feed constitutes 56%. In the United States and Oceania, this type of food is also starting to establish itself in the market, accounting for 27% and 33% of sales, respectively. The market revenue for wet cat and dog food was USD 24.709 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 37.833 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.48% between 2020 and 2025.
Additionally, newer generations are increasingly aware of their pets’ well-being. This shift in trend is due to the perception that wet foods are more beneficial and flavorful than dry foods. They contain higher levels of proteins and fats, greater moisture content, and are easier to chew and digest.
This market shift is further supported by the discovery of new materials that enable a transformation in the presentation of these foods. The introduction of flexible aluminum packaging, which is easier to recycle and reduces the carbon footprint, exemplifies this change.
Within this context, and given the market’s growth prospects, APC has committed to researching and investing in wet pet food.
Challenge: Assisting pet food producers in achieving the pptimal recipe through functional proteins based on plasma
APC has been collaborating with various brands for years to introduce their functional plasma proteins in the development of new, healthy formulas for dog and cat food. The inclusion of these proteins results in food that is more compact, firm, and less crumbly. Moreover, it enhances digestibility, balances calcium and phosphorus levels, and provides additional proteins.
Aware of all these benefits, pilot plant in Granollers (Barcelona), assists manufacturers of dry, wet, semi-moist food, snacks, and supplements for pets in achieving the desired texture, flavor, and aroma, while ensuring the health benefits for cats and dogs.
The objective of any pet food brand is to make their product not only appetizing but also safe. To achieve this, thermal treatment is essential. Although sterilization is mandatory to eradicate nearly all microorganisms, the product can undergo certain organoleptic changes due to high temperatures. This makes it crucial to conduct various tests to achieve the desired food quality, a commitment that APC steadfastly upholds.
Solution: Utilizing an autoclave that sterilizes with counterpressure regulation
As previously mentioned, APC has a pilot plant that allows for the small-scale production and testing of new recipes for wet, semi-moist, and snack pet foods for their clients. This capability is due to APC’s acquisition of one of our autoclaves. APC was searching for an autoclave with specific features: it needed to be small in size and capable of properly managing counterpressure to prevent deformation or breakage of the packaging, as their tests focused on the production of special pet food diets served in flexible aluminum containers. Ultimately, through a recommendation from one of their customers, they discovered our TERRA Food-Tech® autoclaves.
“We needed a compact autoclave that could properly manage counterpressure for the production of our special wet pet food diets served in flexible aluminum containers”
Carmen Rodriguez, R&D Project Manager at APC
Since then, APC’s R&D staff has been using the autoclave almost every week for the development of wet, semi-moist and snack pet diets based on its functional plasma proteins and also for internal studies requiring sterilization processes and, on occasion, for bacterial culture media.
The ability to perform various tests on their clients’ pet food and to evaluate how their functional plasma proteins, derived from blood and red cell products, respond to the sterilization process and combine with different ingredients, adds significant value to APC. It is no coincidence that they have been researching and developing recipes for wet and semi-moist pet food with functional and sustainable ingredients at their pilot plant for over 40 years, making them the industry leader.
“Our experience with TERRA Food-Tech® has been totally positive, we were able to visit their facilities in person and see which autoclave best suited our needs.”
Carmen Rodriguez, R&D Project Manager at APC
“We would definitely recommend TERRA Food-Tech® autoclaves, they work perfectly and we haven’t had any problems.”
Carmen Rodriguez, R&D Project Manager at APC