Cargill expands micronutrition capacity in Austria to meet rising global demand

AUSTRIA – Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) has completed a significant expansion of its Engerwitzdorf facility in Austria, increasing production capacity by 50% to meet growing global demand for advanced micronutrition solutions. 

The investment underscores the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer success in the rapidly evolving animal nutrition sector.

The upgraded facility will now be capable of producing up to 30,000 metric tons per year, enough to fortify up to 200 million metric tons of feed, marking a significant step forward for Cargill’s Micronutrition & Health Solutions business. 

The company did not disclose the total cost of the investment but emphasized that the expansion represents a key milestone in its global growth strategy.

“This investment in our facility not only allows us to increase production capacity, but it also allows us to work more safely, operate more efficiently, and produce more sustainably,” said Gilles Houdart, Global Head of the Micronutrition & Health Solutions business.

Integrating science and precision nutrition

Cargill’s micronutrition business, launched in 2024, brings together the expertise and capabilities of three acquired companies, Diamond V (acquired in 2017), Provimi (2011,) and Delacon (2022), under one science-driven portfolio. 

The integrated business combines research and product development across phytogenics, postbiotics, enzymes, anti-mycotoxin agents, and other performance-enhancing nutritional solutions.

According to Cargill, this unified portfolio has achieved double-digit annual growth for the past three years as livestock producers increasingly adopt science-based solutions to improve performance, protect animal health, and use resources more efficiently. 

The company’s approach moves beyond traditional feed additives by examining how each microelement interacts with others within the animal microbiome, ultimately optimizing digestive health and productivity.

“Our Micronutrition & Health Solutions business is a culmination of our industry-leading capabilities across phytogenics, postbiotics, anti-mycotoxin agents, enzymes, and other performance-enhancing nutrition solutions,” Houdart explained.

Advanced, sustainable operations

The Engerwitzdorf site, which first opened in 2020 with two silos for raw materials, has now added six additional silos to support its expanded capacity. The plant features cutting-edge automation and sustainability technologies designed to enhance both productivity and workplace safety.

Operational efficiency has been significantly upgraded, with 90% of labor across picking, mixing, and loading now automated. 

A container lifting system moves approximately 42,000 meters in altitude per shift each month, equivalent to five times the height of Mount Everest. An in-house laboratory conducts over 25,000 analyses annually to ensure the highest quality standards for raw materials and finished products.

To safeguard workers, the facility now employs two fully automated narrow-aisle forklifts to separate personnel from powered equipment, while a built-in compressor system minimizes noise, dust, and environmental hazards.

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of the operation. The Engerwitzdorf facility runs entirely on renewable energy, drawing about 70% of its daily power from hydropower and the remaining 30% from solar panels. A biomass heating system fueled by 100% locally sourced wood chips further reduces its carbon footprint.

“This is truly a state-of-the-art facility, with automation transforming how we operate, enhancing worker safety and enabling our teams to deliver more volume with greater precision every day,” said Michael Fischer, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Lead for the Micronutrition & Health Solutions business.

With this expansion, Cargill continues to position itself at the forefront of animal nutrition innovation, blending scientific insight with sustainable production to support global animal health and performance. 

The Engerwitzdorf upgrade strengthens the company’s European manufacturing footprint and reinforces its long-term goal of delivering precision nutrition solutions to a growing global market.

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