Evonik advances livestock nutrition innovation with Ecobiol® PRO probiotic

GERMANY – Evonik, a global leader in speciality chemicals and animal nutrition, is accelerating innovation in animal nutrition with new probiotic technologies designed to reduce antibiotic use in livestock production while improving gut health, productivity and resilience across poultry systems, the company has said.

The developments come as global livestock producers face rising pressure to cut antimicrobial use amid growing concerns over antibiotic resistance, which the World Health Organization identifies as one of the most serious global public health threats.

According to Evonik, around 73 per cent of antibiotics globally are used in livestock production, highlighting the sector as a critical intervention point for reducing antimicrobial dependence.

“This is the most effective point of intervention to counteract the further development of resistance,” said Stefan Pelzer, Head of Microbiome Research at Evonik.

The company’s animal nutrition division is focusing on alternatives such as feed additives, butyric acid derivatives, plant-based solutions and probiotics to strengthen gut health and reduce disease risk in production systems.

Ecobiol® PRO targets gut health and antibiotic reduction in poultry

A key innovation is Ecobiol® and its next-generation formulation Ecobiol® PRO, a probiotic solution based on spore-forming bacteria designed primarily for poultry production. 

The product works by stabilising the gut microbiota, strengthening the immune response, and preventing colonisation by pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens, a major challenge in poultry production globally, is associated with necrotic enteritis, a disease that damages intestinal lining, reduces growth performance and causes significant economic losses estimated at between US$4 billion and US$6 billion annually.

Pelzer noted that the effectiveness of probiotics depends on how quickly they are activated in the digestive system.

“With spore-forming bacteria such as Bacillus velezensis CECT 5940, which Ecobiol® is based on, the key factor is how quickly and at what point in the digestive system they transform into active, vegetative cells,” he said.

Research conducted using Evonik’s poultry gut model, DAISy, showed that Ecobiol® PRO achieves faster activation in the intestine than conventional probiotics, leading to improved bacterial growth and stronger suppression of harmful pathogens.

Independent trials also demonstrated that birds receiving Ecobiol® PRO recorded up to 50 per cent higher survival rates under Clostridium perfringens challenge conditions compared to standard probiotic solutions, alongside reduced intestinal damage and improved gut integrity.

Shift toward antibiotic-free livestock production gains momentum

The company said these advancements support a broader industry shift toward antibiotic-free production systems and more sustainable livestock value chains, particularly in poultry, where demand for efficient protein production continues to rise.

Evonik highlighted that the livestock sector remains central to global antibiotic use, making feed-based interventions one of the most effective tools for improving animal health outcomes at scale.

Beyond product innovation, Evonik is also strengthening its focus on market-driven research and the faster commercialisation of animal nutrition solutions through its Innovation Factory model, which prioritises closer alignment between research and the livestock industry’s needs.

The strategy is part of the company’s wider push into bio-based solutions, circular-economy applications, and energy-efficient production systems, with animal nutrition identified as a key growth area.

Evonik said its innovation approach is designed to shorten development cycles, improve commercial success rates and strengthen resilience in global feed and livestock markets.

The company continues to position itself as a system partner for feed manufacturers and livestock producers seeking alternatives to antibiotics while maintaining productivity, animal welfare and profitability across production systems.

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