August 29, 2018

Evonik launches NIR analytical  service for unground feed 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 analysed quickly, straight from the delivery truck, thus reducing the time-consuming grinding process. 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," explained Dr. Alfred Petri, Evonik's senior vice president of 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 and 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 analysing 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," said Dr. Petri.

Frequently, raw feed materials are only analysed for moisture and raw protein content or foreign matter at the time of delivery. Evonik's advanced NIR analysis now enables customers to analyse 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 analyse 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," Dr. Petri added.

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.

- Evonik