Biochem secures EU approval for BetaTrace® Cu, completing organic trace mineral portfolio

GERMANY – Biochem has received European Union approval for BetaTrace® Cu, a milestone that completes the company’s portfolio of organic trace minerals and allows it to offer a full range of highly bioavailable zinc, copper, manganese and iron solutions for all animal species across the EU.

The approval marks the final regulatory step for the BetaTrace® range, a patented two-in-one concept that binds essential trace minerals to betaine, a naturally occurring metabolic compound. 

With BetaTrace® Cu now authorised, Biochem says it can deliver a complete, next-generation mineral toolkit designed to address the growing nutritional and performance challenges faced by modern livestock production systems.

“With EU approval secured, BetaTrace® Cu completes our next generation premium mineral portfolio, setting a new standard for excellence,” said Dr. Susanne Rothstein, Product Manager of Organic Minerals at Biochem. 

“Now we can offer our partners a complete range of organic trace minerals, all of which are bound to the metabolic powerhouse, betaine. This is the final piece that we have been eager to provide to the market.”

A two-in-one approach to mineral nutrition

According to Biochem, the BetaTrace® concept is built on the complementary roles of betaine and trace minerals in animal metabolism. 

Betaine acts as an effective methyl group donor, supporting critical pathways in protein and lipid metabolism, while trace minerals are essential components or cofactors for a wide range of enzymes, vitamins and hormones.

By chemically binding zinc, copper, manganese and iron to betaine, BetaTrace® significantly improves mineral absorption compared to conventional inorganic sources such as oxides and sulfates. 

The company notes that this enhanced bioavailability helps animals make better use of supplied minerals, even under conditions of physiological stress.

For ruminants, BetaTrace® offers an additional advantage. Biochem explains that the betaine-bound minerals are able to bypass rumen degradation, making the product an effective and reliable source of both trace minerals and betaine in cattle and other ruminant species.

Supporting productivity and animal welfare

Biochem positions BetaTrace® as a solution tailored to the key challenges of contemporary livestock farming, including maintaining gut integrity, supporting immune function, managing oxidative stress and optimising energy metabolism. 

These functions are particularly relevant for high-yielding animals and young stock, where metabolic demands are highest.

“With the addition of copper, we now have the complete toolkit to address the specific metabolic requirements of high-yielding and young animals,” Dr. Rothstein said. 

“The 2 in 1 BetaTrace® intensively supports performance and health. We are thrilled to see the full potential of this product line unleashed in feed formulations across Europe.”

The company adds that BetaTrace® Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe are water soluble, low-dust and easy to handle, making them suitable for inclusion in vitamin-mineral premixes, compound feeds and feed supplements. 

The products are available in both 25 kg and 1,000 kg bags, offering flexibility for feed manufacturers of different scales.

With EU approval now in place for the full range, Biochem says BetaTrace® is positioned as a differentiated organic mineral solution for all animal species, aligning nutritional efficiency with productivity and animal welfare goals across the European livestock sector.

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