FTI intends to implement the Pilot Feed Factory as a long-term project, with an estimated duration of 5 years. This period will allow for the consolidation of infrastructure, applied research, and the establishment of a self-sustainable financing model. The factory will be managed through a public-private partnership, creating a collaborative environment between academia and industry to develop innovative technologies for feed production. 

The NABIOFEED project aims to develop and demonstrate a sustainable, scalable process for producing functional plant-based components for young animal nutrition using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES). These novel solvent systems ‒ composed of natural, biodegradable ingredients ‒ enable the gentle, selective extraction of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The goal is to support young animals during critical development phases while reducing the environmental and regulatory burden associated with conventional additives such as pharmacological copper and antibiotics. NADES-based extraction represents a promising alternative to conventional solvent systems (e.g. ethanol, methanol, acetone, hexane), many of which are toxicologically critical and not acceptable under current feed legislation. By replacing these solvents with food-grade, biodegradable NADES, NABIOFEED not only aligns with the principles of green chemistry but also enhances the bioavailability and stability of plant-based actives. The project follows a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in green extraction, feed formulation, process engineering, and animal nutrition. Key activities include: • Screening and selection of plant materials and NADES formulations • Extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds under mild process conditions • Pilot-scale upscaling of the extraction and integration process • Incorporation into feed matrices and assessment of processing stability and homogeneity • Regulatory and techno-economic assessment for industry application A strong focus is placed on technology transfer to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The generated models, protocols, and formulation strategies will be made available in a user-oriented format to facilitate uptake by industry stakeholders. Public dissemination, open-access publications, and stakeholder engagement activities will ensure that knowledge generated within the project has broad impact. By providing a novel and ecologically responsible solution for the development of functional feed components, NABIOFEED supports the long-term goal of a more resilient, sustainable, and antibiotic-reduced livestock production system. 

This study aims to develop innovative methods for transforming soybean residue into high-value functional feed supplements while enhancing pig health through bioactive compounds derived from fermentation. Fresh soybean residue is enzymatically hydrolyzed using cellulase at 50°C for 24 hours. Following hydrolysis, the material is inoculated with lactic acid bacteria at a concentration of 1×10⁶ CFU/g and fermented at 37°C for 2 days to enrich its bioactive properties. The fermented product undergoes comprehensive analysis, including fermentation quality assessment, quantification of macronutrient content, and microbiological evaluation. Additional assessments include antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity testing, and immunomodulatory effects. To simulate large intestine fermentation in pigs, an in vitro batch culture system is used, allowing for the evaluation of microbial dynamics via metagenomics analysis. The in vivo experiment is conducted on finishing pigs. The study involves 32 finishing pigs, divided into control and treatment groups, to determine the effects of fermented soybean residue on growth performance, production efficiency, and gut microbiome composition. Data collection includes measurements of average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, back fat thickness, and loin eye area. Fecal samples are analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing to profile microbial communities, while intestinal morphology is assessed through histological analysis of villus height, crypt depth, and enterocyte proliferation. This study provides insights into the potential of fermented soybean residue as a sustainable and functional ingredient for animal nutrition.

This project proposes the industrial development of a multifunctional feed additive formulated from bioactive protein hydrolysate derived from palm kernel meal (PKM), a by-product from palm oil industry, and synergistically enhanced with Thai medicinal herbs. Leveraging agro-industrial waste valorization and phytobiotic integration, the innovation aims to address pressing challenges in swine production: overuse of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and lack of accessible, functional feed solutions for smallholder farmers. The project is strategically designed to fill a critical gap in Thailand’s feed additive market. Despite growing national efforts to transition toward Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA) systems, small and medium-scale farms comprising the majority of Thailand’s pig industry lack affordable alternatives to imported feed supplements. This formulation offers a cost-effective, scalable, and culturally appropriate solution based on locally available raw materials and production technologies. The project’s specific objectives include: - Process optimization for industrial-scale production, including stability, drying, and formulation trials; - In vivo validation through randomized, controlled trials in commercial swine measuring key performance indicators By integrating functional feed innovation, waste upcycling, and herbal therapeutics, this project directly supports Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, enhances national food security, and contributes to global AMR mitigation efforts. Its translational readiness, scientific foundation, and socio-economic alignment make it a strong candidate for support under the VICTAM Foundation’s mission to advance sustainable feed and animal health technologies.

The main goal of this project will be identifying mycotoxin exposure and antibiotic residues via biomonitoring in farms, utilising in vitro models, conducting controlled assessments of the interaction of mycotoxins and bacteria in monogastrics, and developing an online tool to guide farmers, nutritionists, and veterinarians for the sustainable use of feed materials, especially during critical periods of animal growth, e.g., during disease outbreaks. 

To help reduce global methane emissions, particularly from enteric fermentation in cattle, practical and effective strategies are urgently needed. One promising approach is using feed additives that directly inhibit methane production by methanogenic bacteria. Red seaweed, specifically Asparagopsis spp., is rich in halogenic compounds like bromoform, which significantly reduce methane emissions when processed and stabilized with canola oil. While most methane reduction research has focused on dairy cattle, beef research—especially in regions like Flanders—has lagged behind. A collaborative project involving ILVO, Franson, and Orffa Additives BV aims to address this gap through a regional in vivo trial on Belgian Blue beef steers. The trial will alternate feed types and monitor methane output using GreenFeed systems. Key goals include achieving 40–60% methane reduction, maintaining animal performance and meat quality, and ensuring economic feasibility. This study aims to produce region-specific, scientifically validated data to support practical implementation across the beef industry.

The Beninese government promotes fish farming to ensure food and nutrition security as food demand continues to grow due to population growth, while agricultural production is threatened by climate change, which reduces arable land. Thus, in several areas of Benin, the population depends on aquaculture. Recently, Beninese (FSA/UAC) and Dutch (WU/FQD & Ronfostec) researchers developed a local prototype of a high-quality, affordable fish feed for catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Logically, this local prototype also requires protein-rich ingredients such as fish meal (≈ 25% w/w) and soybean meal (≈ 30% w/w), which compete with human consumption. Consequently, climate change requires the identification of protein sources for fish feed that do not compete with human nutrition and are affordable, available and accessible. Cottonseed meal (CSM), a byproduct of cotton production, has a nutritional value comparable to soybean meal, making it a potential protein-rich feed source for fish feed formulations, and thus an appropriate solution for addressing the problem of the competition between feed and food for human consumption. Benin, the largest cotton producer in Africa, produced 159,000 metric tons of CSM in 2020. Unfortunately, CSM contains gossypol, a naturally occurring toxin, which severely limits its suitability as a feed. Gossypol is a polyphenolic compound with negative effects when ingested by monogastric animals, such as growth depression in fish. In addition, the high fibre content of CSM is unfavourable for fish feed formulation. Research showed that CSM can be detoxified and defibered by solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus spp. or Pleurotus cornucopiae (a mushroom). However, the laboratory results still need to be verified and further developed before they can be applied in practice on an SME scale. Through applied interdisciplinary research, this project aims to develop low-cost sustainable technology to obtain low-gossypol and nutritive CSM, enhancing the productivity and profitability of fish farming. The project will involve stakeholders from the onset through, e.g., policy dialogues that address (i) detoxification and defiberization of CSM by bioprocessing, (ii) formulation of nutrient-dense fish feeds, (iii) assessment of the bioefficacy and farmers’ perception of feeds, and (iv) capacity building & dissemination, which will take place through trainings to stakeholders and three MSc research projects. The development and dissemination of these technologies will support rural development, increase climate resilience, and increase food and nutrition security of low-income households through improved availability of affordable protein-rich food. The project will be led by the university of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) in collaboration with Wageningen University (WU) and RONFOSTEC, a Dutch consultancy company, and collaborating partners Leman Sarl, a Beninese private fish feed company, LSAqua, a Belgian company producing protein-rich powders for animal feed additives from European side streams of the food industry, and the National Fish Farmers Federation of Benin (FENAPIB).

This project aims to develop various in-house tests to assess the nutritional adequacy and quality of petfoods through a four-year research programme conducted by a PhD candidate.

Applicant: Wageningen University.

CO2 project. Feed technology: part of the ongoing project design of the carbon footprint system for the Flemish pig sector (Climbing frame project).
Focusing into energy consumption and footprint of different technologies in the production of animal feed as a driver for sustainability.

Contact: Annatachja.DeGrande@ilvo.vlaanderen.be

Scaling up/ Increase the capacity of a processline for grinding and drying waste into a paste that can be used to feed the black soldier fly larvae.

A new Feed Pilot plant, which will be built offers companies the opportunity to conduct technical experiments focusing on the production process itself by carrying out tests into feeds. On the other hand, the produced precision test feeds will be usable through three channels to evaluate nutritional innovations and put them into practice. And thirdly, at the request of private companies, test feeds will also be produced so that they can also conduct practical research themselves.

Industry Research Project “Salmonella 2“ , Process for safe hygienisation of compound feed. Applicant: The IFF Research Institute is the scientific centre of the compound-feed industry and its suppliers. For more than 50 years, it has been supporting the entire industry through community and contract research results, a wide range of services and a comprehensive range of training and education events.

The main aim of this project is to develop innovations required to manufacture quality pelleted feeds that contribute to the realization of a circular agriculture with less starch from primary products and with more co-products being potentially fibrous in nature. Applicants: Wageningen University

Rumen8 is a free software application that allows farmers and consultants to easily manage dairy and beef cattle diets to increase production and reduce costs. An emphasis on ease of use sets it apart from many other nutrition applications which makes it ideal for quickly creating or checking diets by farm managers, owners and visiting nutritionists.                                                                                                      

Applicant: SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services.

Roughly yearly the International Feed Technology Congress (IFTC) is held during a 2019 VICTAM exhibition, the first in 2019.

The Congress generally brings together approx. 100 researchers from universities, research institutions and industry. The congress exhibited thematic presentations by international key note speakers as well as oral and poster presentations.

Setting up a course that provides students with a solid grounding in the aspects of feed formulation sciences. The course focuses on nutrients, feed ingredients, feed addives and diet formulation. Applicant: Wageningen University.

Improvement of control system dosing weigher at Aeres Training Centre International (formerly PTC+)

Practical implementation of fungi-treatment technology in Vietnam for rice straw lignin degradation. Applicant: Wageningen University.

This concerns the upgrade of an existing APV extruder with the aim of Extruder for low capacity in pilot workshop 5-100 kg/h.

Home Office compliant placing digestive cages for the evaluation of nutritional values ​​for poultry. Applicant: SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), a higher education, consulting and research institution focused on agriculture and life sciences.

Extruder for low capacity in pilot workshop 5-100 kg/h.

Project information will be shared as soon as it's available.

Breaking behaviour of diet ingredients, equivalent particle size and its relation with animal performance. This research into breaking behaviour of ingredients and the equivalent particle size is very innovative and of great value for the international animal feed industry. Applicant: Wageningen University.

As the first edition of the ASEAN Feed Summit proved to be successful in 2014, the summit took place again in 2016 during the FIAAP, VICTAM & GRAPAS Asia 2016 event. The summit was organized by Victam International BV, sponsored by the Victam Foundation and hosted by the Thai Feed Mill Manufacturers Association.