Daxner invests US$11.6M in pet food plant expansion as capacity upgrades accelerate globally

AUSTRIA – Austrian bulk solids handling specialist Daxner has completed a pet food plant expansion project valued at more than €10 million (US$11.6 million), highlighting growing industry investment in capacity upgrades and advanced material handling systems.

The project, delivered for a global pet food producer, focused on increasing throughput within an existing facility without disrupting ongoing production. 

The expansion involved integrating new storage, conveying and dosing systems into the operational plant, reflecting rising demand for scalable, high-efficiency manufacturing solutions.

Five new systems were installed to enable precise handling of bulk, major, minor and micro ingredients while meeting strict hygiene requirements. 

A central engineering challenge was the development of pneumatic conveying systems capable of handling up to 50 tonnes per hour, alongside solutions tailored for hygroscopic and temperature-sensitive raw materials.

The upgraded facility adopts a modular plant concept, allowing manufacturers to scale production and adjust formulations in response to changing market demand, particularly as product portfolios diversify across premium and functional pet food categories.

The investment comes as pet food manufacturers face increasing pressure to expand capacity while maintaining food safety standards and operational efficiency. 

Rising global demand for pet food, coupled with product diversification and premiumisation, is driving upgrades in processing, automation, and ingredient-handling infrastructure.

Similar investments reflect industry-wide expansion

Daxner’s project aligns with a broader wave of capital investment across the global pet food sector. 

In the United States, Nestlé Purina recently began operations at its more than US$550 million pet food facility in Ohio, one of the largest greenfield investments in the sector in over 50 years. 

The plant is designed to produce enough dry pet food to feed approximately 8 million animals annually, with extensive automation systems to optimise efficiency and flexibility.

In Turkey, Lider Petfood and United Petfood acquired a 30,000 m² dry pet food manufacturing facility in Kırklareli in March 2026, strengthening production capacity and improving access to European export markets. 

The site’s advanced processing capabilities are expected to support immediate scaling of output and enhance logistics efficiency.

Meanwhile, in Southern Africa, RCL Foods has moved to expand its footprint in the pet care segment through a R695 million (US$37 million) acquisition of Martin & Martin, enabling entry into higher-value categories such as wet pet food, treats and specialised nutrition products.

These developments reflect a consistent trend across regions: manufacturers are investing in both greenfield facilities and brownfield upgrades to increase capacity, improve flexibility and meet evolving consumer demand.

Capacity, hygiene and flexibility 

As production volumes rise, the ability to handle diverse ingredients safely and efficiently is becoming a critical differentiator. 

Facilities must accommodate a growing range of raw materials, including functional additives, alternative proteins and sensitive ingredients that require controlled handling conditions.

Daxner’s focus on high-capacity conveying systems and hygienic design reflects these requirements, particularly as regulatory standards tighten and manufacturers aim to minimise contamination risks while maximising throughput.

The shift toward modular and scalable plant designs also signals a move away from rigid production systems. 

Manufacturers increasingly require facilities that can adapt quickly to new formulations, packaging formats and market trends without major capital reinvestment.

As global pet food demand continues to expand, investments such as Daxner’s plant upgrade illustrate how engineering, automation and infrastructure are becoming central to maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry.

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