In Germany, Evonik says it has terminated its probiotics distribution agreement with Chr. Hansen in the Asian market, effective December 31, 2016, so that Evonik can focus on selling its own products.
Evonik had distributed Chr. Hansen’s probiotic feed additives for swine and poultry feed in Asia Pacific since 2012. “We enjoyed a highly trusting partnership with Chr. Hansen, but want to be active in the probiotics market with our own products in the future,” says Emmanuel Auer, the head of the Animal Nutrition Business Line at Evonik.
The decision follows Evonik’s acquisition of Spain’s NOREL in the summer. NOREL’s portfolio includes two animal nutrition products—Ecobiol (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) for broilers and Fecinor (Enterococcus faecium) for piglet breeding. The deal also included other probiotics in NOREL’s pipeline.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that when added to feed improve the health of animals. They provide a natural alternative to antibiotics.