Research confirms the sustainability potential of circular pig feed
The initiative aimed to identify opportunities to further improve the sustainability of the pig supply chain. As part of the study, Schothorst Feed Research assessed the potential for CO₂ reduction, while Wageningen University & Research examined the impact of different feed strategies on food waste and land use.
The findings highlight the significant role feed plays in the environmental footprint of pork production, accounting for approximately half of the carbon footprint of one kilogram of pork. Research conducted by Schothorst Feed Research for the Coalition Circular Pig Feed shows that liquid feed, which largely consists of residual and co-products from the food industry, offers substantial sustainability benefits. Increasing the use of liquid and moist feed ingredients can reduce the carbon footprint of the average pig ration by 38% to 44%, resulting in approximately 21% lower CO₂e emissions per kilogram of pork, while also contributing to reduced food waste and lower land use. The study further demonstrated that circularity and economic value can go hand in hand: compared with conventional dry feed, the use of liquid and moist feed can reduce raw material costs by approximately €10 to €11 per pig at a body weight of 125 kg, representing a feed cost reduction of around 15% to 20%. In addition, the research identified opportunities to further reduce the environmental impact of dry feed through targeted optimisation.
Collaboration is essential to accelerate sustainability
For Duynie, these findings strongly align with its mission of creating value from co-products of the food, beverage and biofuel industries. By transforming these streams into nutritious animal feed, valuable nutrients remain within the food system and are used to their fullest potential, supporting a more circular agricultural value chain.
The coalition also concluded that achieving further sustainability gains in pig production depends not only on technical solutions, but also on collaboration throughout the supply chain. Today, pig feed formulations are primarily driven by nutritional value and cost. However, when supply chain partners also consider factors such as CO₂ reduction, circularity and land use, additional opportunities emerge to accelerate progress towards sustainability goals.
Building a future-proof pig supply chain
The results of the Coalition Circular Pig Feed provide valuable insights for the continued development of a more circular, resilient and future-proof pig supply chain. As a specialist in the valorisation of co-products, Duynie remains committed to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration and unlocking the full potential of circular feed solutions.