Trouw Nutrition has opened a factory for pet food blends and premixes in Arujá, São Paulo, Brazil. The facility, called CEBPET (Center of Excellence in Blends and Special Premixes for Pets), spans 3,000 square meters and will begin operations in December.
The company said the facility is designed to increase Trouw Nutrition's current service capacity fivefold, with room for future expansion. The company expects to double current production in the first year of operation. This year, Trouw Nutrition also completed two distribution centers in Maringá, Paraná, and Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, and acquired robots for its ruminant supplement plant in Mirassol, São Paulo.
"We are investing in Brazil and continuing with ongoing expansion plans to keep pace with the market's growth," said Augusto Adami, general manager of Trouw Nutrition for Latin America. According to Adami, the facility was designed to meet the needs of the country's pet food brands, with multiple ingredient combination possibilities. "CEBPET reflects our commitment to grow alongside the Brazilian market and the pet food brands that operate within it."
Brazil is third largest global pet food producer
Brazil is the third-largest producer of pet food, behind China and the U.S. According to Sindirações, the country produced 4 million tons of dog and cat food last year out of 91.1 million tons of total feed and mineral supplements. The association forecasts dog and cat food production will reach 4.1 million tons this year, with growth expected between 1.5% and 2% in coming years.
Frederico Glaser, head of strategic marketing for Trouw Nutrition in Latin America, said studies for the project began in mid-2023. CEBPET offers flexibility in product formulation, from high-volume blends to complex and customized formulas. The facility serves both established brands and new projects focused on premium, natural and functional lines.
"The rigor of the quality system follows every stage, from raw material selection to the final product," Glaser said. The facility includes isolated areas for receiving and storing raw materials, preparation and micro-weighing rooms, an automated mixing tower, finished product storage areas and an integrated logistics yard.
Setting standards in pet nutrition
CEBPET incorporates Trouw Nutrition's methodologies for control and traceability of raw materials and processes. The facility has support from MasterLab, the company's global laboratory network, along with expertise from the U.S. in ingredient blends.
Felipe Cabanne, pet species leader at Trouw Nutrition in Latin America, said CEBPET sets a new standard for pet nutrition in Brazil. "It is a space where knowledge is transformed into valuable solutions, strengthens brands, drives shared innovation, and consolidates Trouw Nutrition as the number one trusted choice in the industry.
"This trust reflects the unique position that Trouw Nutrition has built over decades — bringing together global expertise in ingredients, 100% dedicated manufacturing facilities, the highest level of customization and safety, and the trust of the world's leading pet food brands," Cabanne added.
The facility operates with 100% renewable energy and has programs for recycling and waste disposal. "The CEBPET project was developed to minimize environmental impacts from construction onwards, focusing on the rational use of materials and waste reduction," Glaser said.
Pet food as a growth pillar
Trouw Nutrition serves pet food manufacturers in the U.S., the world's largest pet market. Glaser noted that similar growth is occurring in Brazil, the third-largest pet market. The company's nutrition and feed protection technologies are currently in meals consumed by more than 10 million dogs and cats in Brazil.
During 2023 strategic planning, Trouw Nutrition defined the pet market as a main growth pillar. "Our goal is to become the national leader in providing solutions for the pet food industry — to be recognized as the number one company in terms of trust, innovation, and quality," Glaser said. "Our focus is on offering tailor-made solutions for companies seeking differentiation, superior safety and quality, especially those operating in the premium and super-premium segments."
He noted ongoing consolidation and transformation in the pet sector. "More than volume, the focus is on quality, safety and purpose," he explained. "We see that our customers are increasingly attentive to the content and origin of ingredients, seeking natural, safe solutions aligned with the new values of pet owners. This evolution reinforces the importance of innovation and personalization, which are central aspects of our strategy."
