Evonik solutions for milk replacers and fat concentrates in feed premixes
- Free flow aid
- Anti-caking agent
Fat powders, protein-fat concentrates and hydrolyzed proteins as an ingredient in animal feed are soft and sticky, and generally not easy to handle. Processing these ingredients is a challenge. Powders with a high fat content – milk fat, for example – tend to smear and cake. This causes poor flow-behavior, powder sticking and build-ups inside pipes, dryers and cyclones.
This is why highly efficient free-flow aids such as Evonik’s silica are needed to ensure processability in premixes. At the same, anti-caking properties are important for storing powders without the risk of clumping. SIPERNAT® silica and ZEOFREE® calcium silicate absorb residual fats and oils and thus prevent bridging and cohesion between particles. This significantly improves flowability and reduces the tendency to cake.
Evonik has developed a unique hydrophobic silica product for processing milk replacers and other fat and protein concentrates: SIPERNAT® D 17 precipitated silica is a free flow aid and anti-caking agent with enhanced efficiency. Thanks to its hydrophobic surface, it provides excellent moisture protection for hygroscopic powders. Compared to other silica grades, it needs lower dosage levels to ensure that powders remain free flowing during the production process and prolonged periods of storage.
Silica for efficient and sustainable feed production
As a naturally derived mineral ingredient, synthetic amorphous silica is a safe, proven ingredient and processing aid for livestock feed. Silica contributes to efficient and sustainable processing. As free flow aids and anti-caking agents in premix formulations, they prevent the caking of powders and clogging in silos, pipes, and processing equipment. Less of the valuable raw material is lost as production waste. Furthermore, manufacturers benefit from shorter cleaning downtimes, in turn saving water, energy and labor costs. Overall, less CO2e is wasted per feed batch produced.