Feed enzyme development on ADM's radar
Andrew Carlson, vice president of bioactives and specialty animal nutrition for the Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), said the new research lab provides the company with access to the talent and resources of a renowned university as it is in close proximity to the University of California, Davis.
The facility will explore enzyme R&D with food, feed and industrial applications in mind. The feed related work will relate to both ruminant and monogastric production, Carlson told us.
Deployment of enzymes in monogastric feed is, typically, targeted at improving digestion, ensuring flexibility in the range of raw materials available for use in feed formulations and at helping to reduce the negative effects of swine and poultry production on the environment.
Chinese partnership
The lab will have a particular focus on advancing enzyme-based approaches for feed as part of ADM’s joint development agreement with the Qingdao Vland Biotech Group.
ADM and that Chinese company signed a joint agreement in January this year. Under that alliance, the companies will share enzyme-producing strains as a basis for the development of feed enzymes. Products developed through the R&D tie-up will be commercialized by both companies.
“ADM has vast experience and expertise in the area of feed and feed ingredients – both on the macro and the micro level,” Carlson remarked in January. “We are able to approach the enzymes platform with proprietary knowledge that lends itself to a novel approach, and this new agreement with Vland will help us take that to another level.”
The new facility comprises around 7,400 square feet and is set to be initially staffed by 10 scientists and researchers, he said.
That team will work with ADM’s other R&D facilities around the globe to develop enzyme products for a variety of markets
The new facility should help expand the company’s capacity for the development and commercialization of a range of enzymes, added Todd Werpy, chief technology officer, ADM.
The agribusiness giant launched a line of enzymes for use in poultry diets in February, focused on improving fiber digestion for birds. The plan was for a related swine-focused product to be released later in the year.
