Denkavit takes next step in sustainable animal feed with GMP+ MI5.7 Feed LCA

Denkavit has been a trusted partner in the livestock sector for almost 100 years. As a global leader, the company develops high-quality nutritional solutions that contribute to a healthy start and optimal growth of young animals. In 2021, Denkavit further expanded its animal nutrition activities by acquiring Dutch FrieslandCampina's Nutrifeed animal nutrition activities, one of the strategic acquisitions that have supported Denkavit's growth in recent years. ‘For us, healthy growth goes hand in hand with responsibility. Every day, we work on solutions that not only support strong, healthy animals, but also contribute to a future-proof livestock sector,’ says Henk Botter, commercial director at the Denkavit Group.

From MI5.5 to MI5.7

In the area of sustainability, Denkavit was already working according to the GMP+ MI5.5 Carbon Footprint of Feed standard. When GMP+ International launched the new MI5.7 Feed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standard, moving to the new standard was a logical next step. ‘We wanted to respond to this right away,’ says Roel Frenken, who was closely involved in the certification audit as a nutritionist at Denkavit. ‘We believe it’s important to have our processes assessed by an independent party and to keep improving.’ According to Frenken, the transition from MI5.5 to MI5.7 went very smoothly. ‘Because our way of working was already aligned with the new requirements, the changes could be integrated into our existing processes. An important point of attention was adding a company-specific value for energy consumption at the production sites. The availability of data for calf milk-specific raw materials also remains an important aspect.’

Photo, from left to right: Freddy van der Sar, Henk Botter, Roel Frenken, Evert van de Pest and Martine Boon

Continuous improvement

The certification was carried out by Kiwa. Kiwa already certifies Denkavit for the other GMP+ FSA and FRA standards and has extensive expertise in certification within the animal feed sector. For Denkavit, the independent assessment was an important part of the process. ‘An external perspective on our processes is valuable to us. Certification helps Denkavit to keep critically reviewing what we do and where we can make further improvements,’ says Henk Botter. The audit was successfully completed without any significant improvement points. During the process, however, Denkavit itself identified several opportunities for further development, which were subsequently addressed internally. This means the certification fits with an important principle of the organization: continuous improvement.

Greater insight into environmental impact

The certification has helped Denkavit gain greater insight into the environmental impact of its products and processes. The structured approach also provides a basis for identifying opportunities for improvement and further integrating sustainability into daily operations. The process has also increased awareness within the organization. Employees were closely involved in collecting and analyzing sustainability data and implementing the new requirements. As a result, sustainability has become more integrated into their daily work. Botter says: ‘The implementation and audit not only confirmed that our processes are well structured, but also provided new insights. The process has contributed to further professionalizing our approach to sustainability and provides a solid basis for future developments.’

Transparency for customers

The value of the GMP+ certification extends beyond the organization itself. For customers, the independent assessment provides greater transparency and confidence in the data on the environmental impact of Denkavit's products. ‘Our customers can rely on the fact that the calculations and data related to the environmental impact of our products have been independently assessed and meet a recognized international standard. This supports them in achieving their own sustainability objectives and meeting reporting requirements,’ says Botter. The certification therefore aligns with a broader development in the animal feed chain. As sustainability plays an increasingly important role, the need for reliable, comparable and verifiable data is also growing.

Basis for further development

Denkavit expects the certification to be easy to maintain because the required processes and responsibilities have now been integrated into the organization's way of working. At the same time, it remains important to keep data up to date, monitor developments within the standard and continuously improve. For Denkavit, the certification is therefore not an endpoint, but a new basis for further development. ‘Sustainability is a continuous process for us,’ Botter concludes. ‘We not only want to meet today's requirements, but also to keep looking at how we can further improve our processes and products.’

Milestone for further sustainability

For scheme owner GMP+ International, Denkavit's certification marks an important milestone in the further sustainability of the animal feed sector. According to Martine Boon, managing director of GMP+ International, the first practical application of GMP+ MI5.7 shows that companies can map their environmental impact in a transparent and verifiable way. ‘We therefore congratulate Denkavit on this special achievement. As the first company to be certified according to GMP+ MI5.7 Feed LCA, Denkavit demonstrates how transparency, reliable data and continuous improvement can contribute to a more sustainable animal feed chain. This certification is an important step for companies that want to make their environmental impact transparent and verifiable.’