February 19, 2008

US company eyes alternative mineral source for feeds

Indianapolis-based, Micronutrients, produces half the copper trace mineral added to pig, cattle and poultry diets in the US and is now looking for new source as the raw material gets scarce.

Disappearing source of raw material, the company said, is forcing them to turn to zinc product.

To safeguard future supplies of minerals, Micronutrients is working to find other trace minerals the company can produce that don't rely on copper etching juice.

A chemist from Pennsylvania has been working with the company to invent copper chloride product which will apply in developing better zinc, manganese and iron compounds to add to animal feed.

The US company is confident it can produce a family of trace minerals in forms that are easier to mix with feed and have better absorption in the body.

Micronutrient's full commercial production for the zinc additive could begin next year, with a new plant in Indianapolis.

The chemist said a manganese additive for feed could be ready in 2009, with an iron additive available in 2010 or 2011.