Kemin is at the forefront of encapsulation technologies, delivering high-performance products and solutions. We encapsulate critical molecules to effectively deliver nutrients to production animals at the right place and at the right time for optimal utilization, increased health and performance, and maximum return-on-investment.
“Kemin has become the expert in encapsulation technologies and applied this dramatically into ruminant feeds. We are able to bypass the rumen with critical amino acids like methionine and lysine, getting them down the digestive tract to a place where they can be directly absorbed by the animal. Ultimately, for every $1 our customers spend on these products, we will deliver $2 in ROI.”
- Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin
History of Innovation in Encapsulation Technologies
Throughout our history, Kemin has employed various encapsulation techniques—including spray freezing, pan coating, coacervation, and fluid-bed encapsulation—to enhance product handling, improve palatability, and provide targeted release of active ingredients in animal feed and pet food. As a global leader in encapsulation technologies, Kemin has research and production facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
What is Encapsulation?
Encapsulation is the technique by which one material (or a mixture of materials) is coated with or entrapped within another material or system. Micro-encapsulation is the process of enclosing small particles, solid or liquid, within a layer of coating or a shell. Encapsulation is a versatile technology used in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food processing, animal feed, and many other industries. Kemin focuses primarily on encapsulation for animal health and nutrition.
What Type of Encapsulation Does Kemin Use?
Kemin primarily produces two types of microcapsule encapsulation: matrix particles and core-shell particles.
Matrix Particle Encapsulation
Matrix particles have no specific outer coating, and some active ingredients are near the surface. This process can limit taste-masking, but it is usually easier and less expensive to produce and offers a sustained release, which is ideal for poultry and swine.
MicroPEARLS™ technology utilizes spray freezing for encapsulation, as seen in products like MetiPEARL™ and CholiPEARL™. Spray freezing utilizes liquid nitrogen and specific atomizer nozzles to encapsulate active ingredients in a lipid matrix.
Product Spotlight
ButiPEARL™, an encapsulated source of butyric acid for swine and poultry, is manufactured using a proprietary spray freezing process allowing a targeted release along the GI tract, promoting an efficient use of butyric acid in swine and poultry.
Core-Shell Particle Encapsulation
Core-shell particles have defined shells, and the active ingredients are fully encapsulated for full taste-masking and complete active protection. This process is more difficult to produce but offers higher active loading.
The GEM technology, as seen in products such as LysiGEM™ Extend, utilizes pan coating. With this type of encapsulation, the coating is applied as a solution, or as an atomized spray, to the solid core of active ingredients in the coating pan. This technique provides high concentration of core nutrient, durability and improved handling, and reduced rumen-retention time for high intestinal release.
Product Spotlight
The next generation of metabolizable protein, LysiGEM™ Extend is one of the most concentrated sources of rumen-protected lysine in the market today.
Learn More About Kemin’s Encapsulation Technologies
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