Up to 13% gain in production capacity through moisture management

When added to feed material, the feed additive Fylax Forte HC compensated moisture loss during the production process by up to 1.5%, increased production capacity by up to 13%, and reduced energy use by as much as 12%.

Why moisture management is important

Variability in the final feed product has an impact on profitability. One of its main causes is moisture loss during the grinding process. A consistent feed input to the pelletizer is better for the machinery and helps ensure a smoother production process.

The moisture level of raw material drops during grinding and mixing, then increasing during conditioning. The added steam, however, will be flashed off again while being cooled. The result is a loss of moisture of about 0.5-1% in the finished product compared to the initial raw material, leading to a loss of 5 to 10 kg per tonne of feed. Losing moisture means losing money.

How Fylax Forte HC works

A hydrating solution of water in combination with Fylax® Forte HC acts as a lubricant for the pelletiser.  This reduces friction in the die and lowers its resistance, thereby reducing energy consumption. The production process also runs more smoothly and efficiently, due to a lower risk of blockages. As well as compensating for the moisture loss, production capacity is increased while pellet quality is maintained or even enhanced.

Surfactants inside Fylax Forte HC have the ability to reduce the surface tension of water, allowing better penetration and improved distribution. This lubricating effect allows steam to penetrate more easily into the feed particles during the conditioning phase and lowers press resistance during production. This makes the process more efficient, while increasing throughput. In fact, we’ve achieved improvements of up to 1.5% in moisture profile and up to 13% in production capacity, and have reduced energy use by up to 12%.

Assuring feed quality

The added free moisture in feed assures optimal circumstances for mould growth. This is a persistent problem if the feed is stored for several months, as the nutritional quality deteriorates. Moulds consume the main ingredients in feed materials, resulting in reduced starch and protein content and poorer palatability, which may affect animals’ feed intake. Moulds are also able to produce mycotoxins as secondary metabolites. Even at low levels, these may pose a serious threat to animal and human health.

To inhibit mould development and the possible future generation of mycotoxins, Fylax Forte HC contains activated propionates held in micelles. This combination of micelles and organic acids is very effective. The activated propionates are able to penetrate the strong, thick cell wall of the moulds by creating porosity in the cell membrane. This in turn allows the organic acids to enter to disrupt the DNA structure and exhaust the mould cell. To ensure a long-lasting protective effect, the organic acids are chemically buffered to minimise evaporation.