BASF introduces new phytase Natuphos® E to unlock vital nutrients for the feed industry in Japan
- Natuphos® E helps animals better utilize important nutrients – making livestock feed more cost-effective and environmentally friendly
- Unprecedented overall enzyme stability sets a new benchmark for feed phytase technology
Tokyo, Japan – August 5, 2020 – BASF has launched the next generation phytase, Natuphos® E, for the feed industry in Japan. As the first company to market a phytase for the feed industry 30 years ago, BASF has once again set a new standard in feed phytase technology with a novel hybrid bacterial 6-phytase.
Manufactured by BASF in Germany, Natuphos® E delivers superior overall stability – in premix and during the harsh pelleting process, up to 95°C pelleting temperature, in addition to 18-month shelf-life stability.
With Natuphos® E, poultry and swine can better utilize nutrients such as phosphorous, calcium, amino acids for energy. The new enzyme not only promotes healthy growth in animals but also reduces phosphorus emissions from livestock.
In Japan, meat consumption has risen steadily over the past 50 years1.
Furthermore, the number of broilers and pigs raised per farmer has increased by around 40% and 60% respectively over the past 10 years2. As such, the operational feed efficiency and the environmental impact are often key concerns for farmers.
“BASF understands Japan’s animal nutrition and feed industry. With the launch of Natuphos® E, we can address the needs of Japanese customers with a localized phytase product – the Natuphos® E 2500 blend,” said Iwao Kobayashi, Manager, Animal Nutrition, Nutrition & Health, BASF Japan. “With the excellent overall stability, we are confident Natuphos® E will deliver tangible benefits for animal nutrition.”
The majority of phosphorus in grains and oilseeds is bound to phytic acid, an anti-nutrient found in feed. It is difficult for phytate-bound phosphorus to be used by animals such as poultry and swine, and it is therefore lost as a potential nutrient and excreted into the environment. Feed manufacturers are increasingly replacing inorganic phosphorus with efficient phytase products, as phytase can unlock phytate-phosphorus from the raw material.
Additionally, during the digestion process, Natuphos® E releases other valuable nutrients bound to phytate, such as minerals and trace elements, as well as amino acids. This leads to less excretion of phosphate and nitrogen, which helps reduce water and land pollution.
“BASF is committed to providing high-quality products and efficient solutions to address the challenges facing the feed industry. With Natuphos® E, not only do feed manufacturers and farmers benefit from cost efficiencies through enhanced and balanced animal nutrition, but the use of Natuphos® E also yields environmental benefits,” said Daniel Wussow, Regional Sales Head, BASF Animal Nutrition Asia Pacific.
Natuphos® E and the localized blend of Natuphos® E 2500 are now available in Japan.
References (in Japanese):
1) The food balance sheet (as of March 2020), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
2) Statistics on Livestock (as of February 2020), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
