Fast analytical service for unground samples
Evonik has rolled out a high-precision NIR analytical service, which enables the content of raw, unground feed materials to be assessed as soon as they arrive at the mill.
The amino acid and macro-nutrient content of samples can now be analyzed quickly, straight from the delivery truck, cutting out the time-consuming grinding step. The results can then be compared to NIR calibrations of more than 60 raw materials on Evonik’s new supporting site, www.aminonir.com.
“Knowing the composition of raw feed materials is essential for the operators of feed mills,” explains Dr. Alfred Petri, Senior Vice President Sales Animal Nutrition. “It is the only way to produce feed mixtures according to specification, to ensure optimum animal performance. This is because nutrient content can vary considerably, depending on variety, climatic conditions, soil quality, storage and processing.”
Evonik’s customer research has shown that, for many, the grinding required for sample preparation represents a major obstacle for routine, timely analysis of delivered raw materials. It was in response to this unmet need that the company adapted its analytical NIR services to include unground raw feed materials, and thus make analysis even faster and easier.
“Thanks to our decades of experience with NIR and analyzing millions of raw feed material and feed mixture samples from all over the world, we are now in a position to determine the nutrient content of unground material with high accuracy," says Petri.
Frequently, raw feed materials are only analyzed for moisture and raw protein content or foreign matter at the time of delivery. Evonik's advanced NIR analysis now enables customers to analyze raw feed materials for amino acid and macro-nutrient content in the same measurement during the incoming goods inspection. This allows different batches to be stored according to their quality.
Evonik also offers its customers the option to analyze ground raw feed materials. This can be done at a later time to accommodate the work processes of the feed mill.
“Understanding the exact nutrient composition of raw materials helps to improve safety margins and avoid possible over- or under-dosing. That can lead to considerable savings," says Petri.
The company recently published updates of all NIR calibrations. More than 60 evaluable raw materials and feed mixtures are available - including alfalfa meal, which is used in poultry and dairy cow feed.
Evonik supports its customers with various NIR services, such as AMINONIR® to identify the amino acid composition, AMINOProx® to determine the macro-nutrient content (crude protein, crude fiber, ADF, NDF, raw fat, starch, sugar, raw ash, and phosphorus), and AMINONRG® to establish the energy content.
Visit www.aminonir.com
About Evonik
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 36,000 employees. In fiscal 2017, the enterprise generated sales of €14.4 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.36 billion.
About Nutrition & Care
The Nutrition & Care segment is led by Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH and contributes to fulfilling basic human needs. That includes applications for everyday consumer goods as well as animal nutrition and health care. This segment employed about 8,250 employees, and generated sales of around €4.5 billion in 2017.
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.