PROCESSING “Some companies are also looking at alternative proteins, such as insects, or at adding more vegetables to make their products more healthier,” says Lotgerink Bruinenberg. “Companies are looking for products that look a little like pulled pork or pulled chicken.” In common with the tendency towards ‘meat substitute’ products in the human food market, Lotgerink Bruinenberg believes the trend is being driven by increasing consumer worries about the impact of meat production on the environment as much as by conventional product prices. Wide range of solutions JBT FTNON and JBT Corporation as a whole offers a range of solutions for processors, from steam tunnels though to cutting, cooling, filling and closing, and continuous sterilization. The company’s complete pet food solution starts with product hoppers with pump systems before moving on to extruders for the forming of strands or ropes of meat paste. From there, the meat paste ropes enter a steam tunnel on a stainless steel or Teflon-coated conveyor belt for efficient cooking, and on exit move into a cutting unit for the final stage of the process prior to sterilization, filling, closing and packing. According to Lotgerink Bruinenberg, the recently-introduced, new version of JBT’s extruder has been developed to meet the demand for irregularsized chunks, as well as ‘pulled pork’- style meat alternatives. The company, he adds, is currently looking at ways of converting older, already-installed versions of the extruder to meet these emerging customer requirements. Other recent innovations from JBT FTNON, Lotgerink Bruinenberg continues, have included adding doublesteam injection in steam tunnels to reduce gas usage. The company also offers a greater variety in sizing tin response to an increasing demand for irregular-sized chunks. Already removed from the FTNON side of the business, Lotgerink Bruinenberg says there is also growing demand for High Pressure Processing (HPP) pasteurization solutions from JBT Avure for packaged pet food. The system inactives dangerous pathogens, while at the same time extending shelf life, and preserving raw pet food flavor, texture and nutrients. It also, Lotgerink Bruinenberg adds, provides a value source of safe food for immunocompromised dogs and cats who are unable to eat raw foods. Expanding capabilities Previously only active in providing solutions to the wet pet food segment, JBT has recently expanded its capabilities to encompass dry pet food processing following the January 2025 integration between the company and Iceland-based Marel to form JBT Marel. According to Lotgerink Bruinenberg, a key highlight of the integration is the addition of Wenger, a leader in extrusion and drying technology, specializing in dry pet food and treats. “Wenger brings decades of expertise in extrusion cooking, drying, and coating systems, providing proven solutions that support the production of premium kibble, semi-moist treats, and specialty pet food products,” he says. The dry pet food segment, in Lotgerink Bruinenberg’s opinion, is a major driver of growth in the pet food industry, with consumer demand increasing for high- 30 Technology & Marketing
PROCESSING quality, nutritious, and specialized formulations. “Incorporating Wenger’s advanced technologies into our offering means we can now support processors across the entire pet food spectrum, from raw material handling to the final packaged product covering whether it’s wet food, dry, or hybrid solutions,” he adds. Cross-industry cooperation JBT is one of 12 like-minded companies who make up the Pet Food Competence Network, a grouping of raw material specialists, and machinery and equipment manufacturers which has been developed to provide processors with a single point of contact covering the entire production cycle. According to Lotgerink Bruinenberg, the alliance has been created to bring together expertise from across the pet food industry to encourage cooperation for the greater good of all members companies. “All of the companies are independent – we’re not connected to each other, but at every single stage of pet food processing one of those companies is involved,” he explains. “If a company is starting from scratch and they want to receive advice, they can reach out to a single company or they can reach out to the Pet Food Competence Network. We can combine our strengths and give the customer a total solution from the beginning through to packaging, distribution and the logistics behind that.” By combining knowhow and expertise from across the industry, the Pet Food Competence Network gives processors the option of being able to speak to professionals covering every area of the production process, Lotgerink Bruinenberg says. This cooperation, he adds, often extends to trade exhibitions where members of the network often attend as a group, allowing companies to visit all the member companies in one go. Technology & Marketing For more information www.jbtc.com www.freshposition.com www.petfoodcompetencenet.com Safety and reliability are top priorities for pet owners when it comes to their beloved animals. The increasing demand for premium quality, high flexibility and limitless reliability is constantly presenting pet food producers with new challenges! Whether wet food in cups, cans, jars and thermoformed packaging or clipped products, such as dog sausage and fresh pet food filled to the exact gram, or snacks, such as filled and unfilled chews, treats, sticks or stripes: VEMAG offers reliable solutions with flexible machine systems! VEMAG: Boundless passion for YOUR solution! vemag.com/pet-food · e-mail@vemag.de Issue 2 2025 31
