Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Feed safety assurance certification for Sappi brand
Pelletin, Sappi Southern Africa’s lignin-based brand used as an additive in animal feed manufacturing, has achieved GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance (FSA) 2020 certification, making Sappi the second organisation in Africa to attain the certification.
GMP+ is the world’s largest and most rigorous animal feed certification scheme, focused on the contribution of safe animal feed throughout the entire production chain, with an emphasis on quality assurance and risk management in the production and trade of animal feed.
According to Jason Knock, general manager for lignin at Sappi Southern Africa, their certification is for “Trade in Feed”, while the “Production of Feed Additives” certification has been issued to Sappi Tugela Mill in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Sappi’s certification gives Pelletin a competitive edge in the global lignin market, as it demonstrates its compliance with the highest standards of quality assurance and risk management in the animal feed industry.”
Knock said this was vital for the health and welfare of livestock and the safety of food products derived from them, as well as the issue of food security in the country.
Lignin, a major component of wood and an abundant organic polymer, provides a multitude of uses, especially in the industrial and agriculture sector.
Knock said the importance of lignin was growing and driving it to become an indispensable additive where sustainable natural alternatives for oil-based products are needed.
Lignin was recovered from the pulping process of paper and board manufacturing and was a prime example of the bioeconomy, he said.
“As a technical lignin, Pelletin primarily functions as a binder in the production of compound animal feeds and acts as a natural glue that binds the feed ingredients and additives together. This makes for a cost-effective compound feed pellet with enhanced durability and strength,” added Knock.
According to him, the combined anti-caking and dispersing properties of the product promote mixing uniformity and homogeneous blending of all feed ingredients, acting as an effective lubricant to reduce friction in the pelleting process, as well as reducing wear and tear on the manufacturing equipment.
“We’re delighted to receive this certification, which confirms that our products meet the highest standards of quality and safety in the animal feed sector. This is a testament to the hard work of our team at Tugela Mill, who passed the rigorous audits required for GMP+ certification.”