IQI and Houdek start partnership offering alternative, plant-based proteins for pet food

February 02 2023 - News

IQI Trusted Pet Food Ingredients is partnering with industry-leading plant-based protein manufacturer Houdek (formerly Prairie AquaTech) anticipating the growing trend and worldwide demand for alternative proteins for pet food.

On November 1st 2022, IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients and Houdek (formerly Prairie AquaTech) signed a partnership agreement to bring to market a new fermented plant-based protein specifically developed for the pet food industry. With this launch, IQI and Houdek show their commitment to support the pet food industry with healthy and sustainable plant-based ingredients, the first of which is Protéger.

Protéger is a plant-based protein specifically manufactured for the pet food industry by Houdek’s Prairie Pet Nutrition division, using Houdek’s patented fermentation process.

Pioneering spirit

IQI has embraced the unique ingredients and fermentation process that Houdek brings to the industry as a reliable partner for sustainable, high-quality, protein-rich, plant-based, nutritional ingredients. With its impressive research and decades of experience, Houdek embraces a pioneering spirit with a focus on innovation similar to IQI’s.

Fermentation technology benefits

A key element in Houdek’s production process and the development of alternative proteins is its fermentation technology, which is known to increase the nutritional value and protein richness of plant material. Use of these proteins also leads to high digestibility and palatability of pet food. Other benefits of fermented plant protein nutrition include a well-balanced amino acid profile and 24-month shelf stability​​. All inputs for the product are Generally Recognized as Safe​ (GRAS).

Continuous improvement on SDGs

The growing use of alternative proteins for pet food ingredients is part of a broader, ongoing trend for using sustainable, non-animal-based ingredients. IQI is making continuous improvements in this field by working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of those, IQI considers SDG 12 (‘responsible consumption and production’) and SDG 14 (‘life below water’) to be the most relevant to the pet food industry. IQI’s vision on sustainability and animal welfare in the pet food industry, supported by the development of novel, alternative ingredients, is described in its e-paper on the possibilities for moving towards a more sustainable pet food industry.

Product reveal coming soon

Excited to learn more about the unique protein Protéger that IQI and Houdek will bring to the industry? Contact one of our sales teams for more information about the product:

North American sales team:

betty.mcphee@iqi-petfood.com

julie.ninneman@iqi-petfood.com

paul.verderber@iqi-petfood.com

European sales team:

roeland.vreeswijk@iqi-petfood.com

yvette.gerritsen@iqi-petfood.com

lukasz.tyborski@iqi-petfood.com