dsm-firmenich opens Next-Generation pet food premix facility in Kansas

USA – dsm-firmenich has officially opened its cutting-edge pet food premix facility in Tonganoxie, Kansas, marking a major leap forward in the company’s efforts to redefine pet nutrition across North America. 

Known as NextGen Tonganoxie, the new site is fully dedicated to the pet food industry and designed to deliver unparalleled safety, traceability, and flexibility in formulation.

The opening follows the company’s announcement of the project in May 2023 and comes just months after it launched a similar pet-only facility in Haag, Austria. 

Together, these two sites represent dsm-firmenich’s growing global footprint in the pet food sector, positioning it to serve processors across Europe and North America with customized, high-quality premixes.

Located in the heart of the U.S. Animal Health Corridor, the multi-million dollar Tonganoxie facility blends dsm-firmenich’s specialty ingredients, such as vitamins, carotenoids, and omega-3s, with third-party materials to create tailored nutrition solutions.

The site employs 20 people so far, with an additional 30 jobs expected as production scales up.

At the core of NextGen Tonganoxie is a groundbreaking “Amabox” containerized transport system that allows for 100% automated micro-ingredient additions. 

This ensures full traceability and precision, while virtually eliminating the risk of human error and cross-contamination. Each batch is handled in its own sealed container, enhancing both accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional manual methods.

“Just as pet parents go to extraordinary lengths to ensure their companions receive only the best, we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure that every aspect of our new, strategically located facility reflects the mindfulness, protection and uncompromising standards they demand and deserve,” said Rishabh Pande, global vice president of Pet Food at dsm-firmenich. 

“With complete dedication to pet food, we’re setting a new standard for safety, quality and the wellbeing of pets everywhere.”

The facility’s automation and advanced blending technology enable precise integration of micro-nutrients, from essential vitamins and trace minerals to fruit and vegetable powders and microbiome solutions. 

This supports the production of both basic and premium pet food formulations that mirror trends in human nutrition, where the focus has shifted from simple sustenance to targeted, functional wellness.

Built for sustainability and the future

In addition to its technological sophistication, NextGen Tonganoxie was designed with sustainability at its core. The facility operates entirely on renewable electricity, aligning with dsm-firmenich’s broader sustainability strategy across its North American network.

The site also minimizes waste through improved process efficiency, reducing the number of flushes required for mixing operations.

According to the company, the new plant represents over a decade of planning and sets the stage for the next era of pet premix manufacturing. 

“NextGen Tonganoxie embodies our commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability,” said Pande. “It reflects how far pet nutrition has come, and how much further we can go.”

With both the Tonganoxie and Haag facilities now operational, dsm-firmenich has established a dual-site network that it says “sets a new global benchmark for pet food safety, quality, and innovation.” 

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