Orffa establishes Scientific Advisory Board to strengthen feed innovation strategy

NETHERLANDS – Feed additive specialist Orffa has established a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and appointed Professor Leo den Hartog, emeritus professor of Sustainable Animal Nutrition at Wageningen University, as its inaugural chairman to strengthen science-led innovation in animal nutrition.

The new advisory board will support the company’s research priorities and innovation roadmap while providing independent scientific guidance across key areas, including gut health, feed efficiency and mineral nutrition.

According to Orffa, the Scientific Advisory Board will bring together internationally recognised scientists from Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) to provide independent scientific insight, identify emerging research opportunities and help shape future innovation.

Den Hartog, who has built a distinguished career spanning academia, research and the animal nutrition industry, will oversee the establishment of the board and guide the selection and onboarding of its members.

His involvement from the outset is intended to ensure the board’s scientific independence, credibility and technical excellence.

“Science has always been at the heart of Orffa,” said Haiko Zuidhoff, CEO of Orffa.

“The establishment of our Scientific Advisory Board and Leo’s appointment as chairman represents an important step in further strengthening our scientific foundation and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of innovation in animal nutrition.”

The company said the advisory board will support the development of science-based feed solutions that improve livestock productivity while addressing evolving sustainability and efficiency challenges facing the global livestock sector.

Its expertise will focus on areas central to Orffa’s portfolio, including improving animal gut health, enhancing feed efficiency and optimising mineral nutrition to support more sustainable livestock production.

Den Hartog said the board would also encourage closer collaboration between academia and industry.

“I am honored to take on this role and help establish a highly respected, independent international advisory board,” he said.

“By bringing together leading scientists from different regions and disciplines, we can foster scientific exchange, stimulate public and industry debate and support the development of practical, science-based solutions for the livestock industry.”

The Scientific Advisory Board is expected to be formally constituted in the coming months.

The initiative comes as feed additive manufacturers increasingly invest in scientific research and collaborations to develop nutritional technologies that improve animal performance while reducing environmental impacts. 

Growing regulatory scrutiny, rising sustainability targets and the livestock sector’s search for alternatives that improve feed efficiency have intensified demand for evidence-based nutritional solutions.

For Orffa, establishing the advisory board strengthens its long-term innovation strategy and reinforces partnerships with leading universities, research institutions, and scientific experts worldwide. 

The company expects the board to help accelerate the development of next-generation feed additives and nutritional technologies that support more efficient, resilient and sustainable livestock production systems.

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