"Nutridients has been created to further differentiate from Schils' animal feed branch," says Reinder Markerink, responsible for, and the driving force behind, Nutridients. He has been working for Schils since 2017 and, together with other colleagues at Schils B.V., successfully put the new sector on the map. "Our strength is the flexibility and position in the supply chain where we create added value from raw materials to ingredients. If there is a problem in supply – or if another supplier is unable to deliver – we can instantly and seamlessly switch and fine-tune." This has been an important aspect in recent years, and we expect this to remain so. That's where we really stand out in the market." We have managed to do this by designing the supply chain slightly differently," Markerink explains. "For example, by working with multiple production sites and warehouses. This allows us to guarantee a high level of supply security. In this way, we are in a position to meet our customers' needs.
Our strength is the flexibility and position in the supply chain where we create added value from raw materials to ingredients. If there is a problem in supply – or if another supplier is unable to deliver – we can instantly and seamlessly switch and fine-tune.
REINDER MARKERINK
Lots of added value with a broad range
Besides having an excellent supply chain, product development is also important. Under the Schils banner, Nutridients has access to a broad international flow of high-quality raw materials and ingredients with specific application for the animal feed industry. Moving forward, Markerink expects we will see change in the composition of animal feed. This will be due, for example, to change in genetics, climate, availability of raw materials, alteration of metabolism in animals or carbon footprint. “In spite of the social debate regarding livestock production, we will still see many challenges and opportunities in this market in the coming years," says Markerink.
Currently, Nutridients supplies a wide range of fats. This ranges from Profat (calcium soaps) to Qualityfat (hydrogenated fat) and Frafat (fractionated fat). “These three different varieties are a strong asset to Nutridients," says Markerink. "As one of the few companies in the market, we offer more than one choice." This means Nutridients can provide customers with sound advice. "We properly explain that fat isn’t just fat, but mainly consists of fatty acids. And each fatty acid has a specific effect on milk production, milk fat increase, body condition, health and fertility. We can look at all these aspects – and in combination with the customer's requirements – arrive at the best possible advice in terms of rumen protection fat."
Nutridients markets its rumen protection fats in a broad range of different countries, and we are still seeing growth in existing countries, according to Markerink.
In spite of the social debate regarding livestock production, we will still see many challenges and opportunities in this market in the coming years.
REINDER MARKERINK
Broader range, broader advice
Nutridients, meanwhile, remains committed to further expanding its product range. The business unit is explicitly looking at value added from raw materials. This includes alternative flows as feedstock, such as rapeseed oil, shea oil (derived from a nut from Africa), fish oil and olive oil. "The bottom line is that these raw materials need to be complementary and can really help our customers move forward," Markerink states. We saw this last year when rapeseed oil became incredibly expensive due to various developments in the market. We then worked with customers to market an alternative product based on shea oil.
In addition, our focus is on broadening the range and great unique products. By way of example, he mentions the development of medium chain fatty acids in dry form for chickens and pigs in particular, and resistant amino acids in addition to resistant fatty acids for dairy cows for certain markets. Markerink: "This also allows us to offer broader advice. The ultimate objective is that our products will enable us to add a little something either to the ration or formulation. In this way, our customers can make headway."
We can also do our bit socially thanks to Nutridients. For example, the VanDrie Group is also a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). "Because of its properties, palm oil is an important base for our fats. It is therefore important to ensure that we do this sustainably," Markerink explains. "For instance, we mainly use palm oil flows that are no longer fit for human consumption, using these in our products. In this way, residual products get a valuable use. That's yet another win, isn’t it?" Another example and social issue where fats can start making a difference is methane. "Fat has a methane reducing effect in a dairy cow. That’s exactly what you want to see in livestock farming, which is why we’re committed to making this reduction as optimal as possible."