Trouw Nutrition opens pet premix plant in Spain to strengthen European footprint

SPAIN – Trouw Nutrition, part of Nutreco, has opened a pet-dedicated premix plant in Griñón, Spain, converting an existing facility to expand its companion animal production capacity in Europe and improve supply reliability for pet food customers, the company said.

The facility offers full traceability across the supply chain and operates as a zero-CO₂-emissions plant powered entirely by renewable electricity. 

“Opening our pet dedicated plant in Spain is a major step forward in supporting our pet food customers,” said Eduardo Alberto, CEO of Trouw Nutrition. 

“Expanding our European footprint strengthens reliability, proximity and capacity, ensuring consistent, high-quality nutrient blends.”

The company said the plant is designed to deliver high-accuracy premix formulations across different pet food formats. 

Precision and safety are critical requirements in pet nutrition, according to Vicky Brierley, pet technical and nutrition manager at Trouw Nutrition.

“This new facility enables us to deliver consistent premix formulations required across all types of pet food,” Brierley said.

With the Griñón plant, Trouw Nutrition now operates two pet-dedicated production sites in Europe. 

The investment reflects Nutreco’s strategy to scale its presence in the companion animal segment, which it identifies as a key growth pillar.

“Strengthening our dedicated pet production footprint enables us to support our customers with greater capacity and flexibility,” said Myrthe Vervoort, regional director EMEA, companion animal at Nutreco.

Spain’s pet food market drives strategic investment

The decision to expand in Spain aligns with strong growth fundamentals in the country’s pet care sector. 

Spain has one of the largest pet populations in Europe.

Industry estimates indicate more than 30 million pets in Spain, with dogs and cats forming a significant share, while ownership has risen steadily since 2020, driven by changing lifestyles and urbanisation.

The Spanish pet food market has also expanded in value

Data from FEDIAF shows that Europe’s pet food industry exceeds €29 billion annually, with Southern European markets, including Spain, among the fastest growing. 

Premiumisation is a key trend. Consumers are shifting toward higher-quality, functional and specialised nutrition products.

This shift increases demand for precise premix solutions, meaning pet food manufacturers like Griñón require consistent micronutrient inclusion, traceability and compliance with strict European regulations.

Beyond demand growth, sustainability is becoming a purchasing criterion. 

The Griñón plant’s zero-CO₂-emissions operation aligns with broader industry pressure to reduce environmental impact. This is particularly relevant in Europe, where sustainability regulations and retailer requirements continue to tighten.

The expansion signals that pet nutrition is becoming a more specialised and technically demanding segment within the wider feed industry.

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