Vitamins as Animal Feed Additive Booster for Health and

Nourishment
Animal feed additives are pharmaceutical or nutritional supplements that are not natural feedstuff. These are
added to prepared and stored feeds. Vitamins are organic substances necessary for normal metabolic processes in
animals. A deficiency or complete lack of one or more vitamins may lead to metabolic disorders, resulting in
depressed performance, growth retardation, fertility problems or diseases. Global animal feed additive market
stood at $14 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% to $19 billion by 2020. Vitamins accounted for
8.9% share of the animal feed additive market in 2013, and are likely to see a steady demand.
Vitamins as animal feed additives have attracted significant investments in research and development. More than
500 patents in this domain are filed every year.

Consistent Patent Filing Activity in the Last Six Years

Patent filing has constantly increased from 2009 to 2014, with the highest number of filing reported in 2013. China
dominated the research space, with approximately 3,964 patents, followed by the United States of America. A
total of 3,699 patent applications have been filed via the PCT route.
1245

China

1106

US

826
561

Europe

613

Japan
95

2009

2010

2011

3964

2012

2013

2014

2567
1034
978

Australia

672

Canada

646

Other Countries

3699

*Note: Filing data for 2013 and 2014 are not complete as all patent applications are not yet published Patent filing
trend in this domain increased continuously during 200813.
High number of patent filings in China can be attributed to its emergence as a manufacturing hub for APIs,
Pharmaceuticals and other ingredients used in food and medicinal products.

Top Companies are Focusing on Vitamins as Animal Feed Additive

To tap this lucrative market, several companies such as Nestec Inc., Shandong Liuhe Group, DSM IP Assets,
Novozymes and Hills Pet Nutrition Inc. have entered the segment. In terms of patents, Nestec Inc. leads with 108
patents filed in the last five years followed by Shandong Liuhe Group.

Company

Number of Patents
filed (2008 onwards)

108

Animal feed containing vitamins to reduce

oxidative stress in animals.

100

Vitamins-containing feed for poultry and pigs

to improve the meat quality and flavour.

98

Animal feed compositions for combating

metabolic challenges and disorders such as
ascites-related mortality in chickens

56

Animal feed compositions for aiding protein

absorption and strengthening immunity

47

To improve metabolic function as well as

photo-protection of skin.

Nestle (Nestec Inc.)

Shandong Liuhe Group

DSM IP Assets

Key Focus Areas

Novozymes

Hills Pet Nutrition Inc.

Source: Aranca analysis based on Thomson Innovation Data

Future Research to Focus on Development Additives for Animal Feed

The research focus is on the development of animal feed containing vitamins to boost immunity and improve
metabolic challenges and disorders such as ascites-related mortality in chickens, and for aiding protein absorption
and strengthening immunity.
Our analysis shows that future research in this area will be focused on fulfilling the nutritional needs of animals,
resulting in longer lifespan and better meat quality and yield of animal feed. Some of the specific areas will include:

Improved nutritive egg quality with addition of Vitamin A, D, E and C to the feed

Improvement in immunity by addition of vitamins, along with certain amino acids, minerals and plant
extracts such as carotenoids in animal feed.

Better meat quality by use of vitamins such as Vitamin E which helps reduce oxidation of fat in meat,
preventing unpleasant odour and flavour.