Betagro launches ‘smart’ new feed mill in Thailand

Betagro-launches-smart-new-feed-mill-in-Thailand.jpg
Betagro opens fully intelligent feed mill with Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and automation in Thailand © Betagro

Betagro PCL, a Thailand based integrated food company, has opened an advanced feed mill. The facility is located in Nong Bun Mak, Nakhon Ratchasima, around 260km northeast of Bangkok.

The mill, a fully intelligent plant with Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and automation, will bolster the group's competitiveness and sustainability profile, while helping it to meet growing demand for animal feed, reads a company statement.

With annual production capacity of over 600,000 tons, Betagro said the facility will raise its combined feed production capacity by 18%, to more than 4m tons annual output in total.

The company has invested 1.4 billion baht (US$44m) in the plant. 

The Nong Bun Mak feed mill is Betagro’s third largest feed mill, producing a variety of animal feed for swine, laying hens and broilers. It is currently running at 48% of production capacity; that is set to be ramped up to 100% by the end of this year.

The plant, which will serve markets in Thailand's northeast and central regions, and Lao PDR, is equipped with modern technology to enhance management, including a factory management system, a sampling and quality inspection system, an automatic controlled raw material storage system, an automatic raw material storage and conveying system as well as robots for packing and conveying.

The feed mill also employs an energy-saving steam generation system and has a solar rooftop system, which Betagro said will contribute about 20% to the plant's 2.8-megawatt clean energy output, and thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 1,900 tons per year.

The animal feed industry in Thailand is forecast to grow by 4.8% over 2022, according to the Thai Feed Mill Association, based on increased demand from the swine, broiler and laying hen sectors.