DSM’s existing animal nutrition premix plant is in Ambernath, Thane, in western India.
The vitamins, carotenoids, eubiotics, and feed enzymes producer said the new plant serves as a catalyst for growth in India, reinforcing its strong ambitions for that South Asian country.
“For more than 15 years, DSM has been operating, investing and growing in India.
The country’s economy is growing at a rate of 6 to 8% per annum, and the livestock industry is the second largest contributor to India’s gross domestic product (GDP), accounting for 9% of the total. Expanding our footprint in one of the most populous and fast-growing markets for animal feeds was a logical step for us.
"DSM India in totality recorded sales of €200 million for 2017 and showed more than 14% growth in H1 2018," Ravindra Vyawahare, business unit director, South-Asia region, DSM Animal Nutrition and Health, told FeedNavigator.
Products tailored to local market
The opening of the premix facility, said DSM, followed years of detailed research and analysis of the Indian market, with the objective of providing products that are tailor-made for local needs, but that draw on the latest science and also respect the environment.
The new premix facility is fully equipped with best-in-class safety, health and environment compliance systems, while the design of the plant supports additional capacity developments to meet any future growth in demand, it continued.
The factory is targeting the poultry, dairy and aquaculture segments in India. Customers will comprise a combination of feed mills, integrators and farmers, said Vyawahare.
When asked about the need to educate farmers in India about the benefits of using professional feed inputs, he said DSM runs sporadic awareness raising sessions with farmers, adding that the company also supports educational initiatives by other stakeholders in the Indian livestock sector.