Emsland Group launches Empet SmartBind wet food ingredient

The Emsland Group is breaking into the wet pet food market with the launch of Empet SmartBind, a new starch-based texturising ingredient for wet dog and cat food.

The German pea and potato manufacturer said the plant-based starch blend will allow manufacturers to produce a wide range of wet pet food textures without needing to incorporate carrageenan, xanthan, locust bean gum, guar or cassia.

Sourced in Europe, it added that the product supports short and sustainable supply chains, transparency, and consistent quality.

With this item, the company is growing its pet portfolio beyond dry food, aiming to offer a carrageenan-free solution that provides consistent and appealing textures, basic formulations and cleaner ingredient profiles across various types of wet food products.

The business said that it will also offer enhanced formulation flexibility, allowing manufacturers to independently alter the levels of salts, minerals and other ingredients to meet their specific product requirements.

The Emsland Group introduces its new ingredient as criticism is increasingly directed at the use of hydrocolloids such as carrageenan, due to concerns over sourcing, sustainability, price volatility and consumer perception.

Fabian Ahuis, application expert for animal nutrition at the Emsland’s Innovation Center in Germany, said: “Our goal was to develop a solution that combines technical performance with cost competitiveness, while eliminating the need for commonly used and increasingly scrutinized ingredients such as carrageenan. With Empet SmartBind, we enable our customers to meet evolving consumer expectations without compromising on quality.”