January 16, 2006

Trouw Nutrition International launches Betain™ feed additive
 

Trouw Nutrition International has launched a new betaine feed additive for various animal species ¨C under the trademark Betain™. Betain™ is a significant addition to the company's product range of feed additives for the animal nutrition market and will be available on a global scale. Trouw Nutrition International has established an exclusive new alliance with the US-based Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC that will make it the second largest natural betaine supplier in the world. The patented technology by which Betain™ is produced results in pure betaine, with improved flow properties. Betaine is important in several aspects of animal physiology, most notably in osmoregulation. 

Trouw Nutrition International has signed an alliance with The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC in the United States, a co-operative of 1,100 sugar beet farmers that invested in purpose-designed production equipment for betaine. The alliance enables Trouw Nutrition International to supply the animal nutrition market on a global scale and from a single source. Betaine is widely used in animal nutrition to improve feed conversion ratios, body conformation and resistance to stress such as heat or change of environment. The improved flow properties of Betain™ lead to easier handling and more efficient distribution in feeds.

"The introduction of Betain™ fits our strategy of investigating new opportunities within and around our current portfolio of technical feed additives. In line with this strategy, a separate operating company, Feed Ingredients, is being formed to develop and commercialise feed additives such as Betain™ on a global scale," says Jaap Oskam, Managing Director Trouw Nutrition International.

Trouw Nutrition has terminated its distribution contracts with its current supplier with regard to Belgium, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. Until further notice of the final contract termination dates, Trouw Nutrition will continue to supply its customers in these countries with the existing betaine product Betafin. Betain™ will be available worldwide, from all Trouw Nutrition operating companies. 

Trouw Nutrition International is the global leader in premixes, innovative feed specialities and nutritional services for the animal nutrition industry. The company has locations in 25 countries and about 1,400 employees. Since 1931, its feed to food solutions have met the needs of feed producers, integrators, distributors and home mixers, as well as the companion animal industry.

Trouw Nutrition International is a Nutreco company giving access to the research facilities, knowledge and experience of its sister companies across the world. Modern production technology and meticulous methods of analysis guarantee the high quality of all Trouw Nutrition International manufacturing processes and products.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Tine Snels, General Manager Feed Ingredients,

Trouw Nutrition International

Mobile phone: +31-6-51-05-82-89

Or visit www.trouwnutrition.com