PROTIX

How important has it been for you to have a platform like Zoomark to connect with new partners, clients, and international industry players?

“Zoomark is an important date in the agenda for us to connect with partners in the pet food industry. Protix provides insect ingredients for pet food, a relatively new offering. In this relatively new industry, we have achieved a leading position - in large part through a collaborative approach.
Our joint initiatives include working with customers on new applications, new potential claims, consumer education. Moreover, we also partnerships with scientific bodies for further innovation and knowledge development. We expect to interact with both groups in Bologna.
We look forward to catching up with familiar faces at Zoomark, and it’s also a great platform for connecting with new customers and partners. It is particularly attractive that Zoomark appeals to an international audience, allowing us to address partners from across the globe.
This year, we are excited to treat visitors to our booth to a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art insect ingredient facilities via a new VR video.”

Would you recommend other companies in the industry to participate in the trade show? What are the main reasons you believe it’s worth taking part in Zoomark 2025? 

“Without a doubt! Zoomark is an unmissable opportunity to get together and forge new alliances as well as welcoming old friends. The show has been successfully bringing together key industry players for over two decades, and in that time has established itself as a leading international meeting place for pet industry manufacturers and distributors.”

Could you briefly share your company’s history and what sets you apart in the pet industry?

“Founded in 2009, Protix has been a pioneering force in the insect industry. Born from the vision to give insects back their natural place in the food cycle, Protix has been instrumental in establishing insect ingredients as a natural ingredient for healthy, eco-friendly pet food.

Protix is the global leader in the insect sector, recognised for its superior functional ingredients and inspiring innovative mindset. Collaboration is key to our success. We believe that producing healthy, low-footprint pet food has to be a collective effort. Together with renowned research institutes and universities, we conduct and facilitate scientific research to establish a firm body of evidence on the benefits of black soldier fly ingredients, publishing the findings in white papers. We share these results with our customers and partners, and work closely with them to develop new products and promote the growth of insect ingredients.

We recently updated our website as a fantastic source of information not just about Protix as a company, but also as a source of inspiration for the proven possibilities that insect ingredients open up. The new Discovery Centre (www.protix.com/discovery-centre) is a treasure trove of cutting-edge white papers, in-depth research articles, statements, exciting blogs, videos, and real-life case studies covering all aspects of insect-based innovation. 

With an unparalleled 15 years of experience in producing black soldier fly ingredients, we're the top dogs when it comes to stable supply, expertise and support. We are mindful of maintaining the superior quality that has always set us apart. Our focus is on guaranteeing the consistent high quality of our products and services.”

What emerging trends in the pet sector do you anticipate for 2025, and how is your company preparing to leverage them?

“We see three major trends shaping the pet sector: pet health, naturalness and sustainability. Pet owners are seeking ingredients that promise health and wellbeing benefits for their furry friends, that are natural or minimally processed, and they are also mindful of their environmental ‘pawprint’. There is a growing trend of pet humanisation, where pets are treated as cherished family members who deserve the same level of care for their health, wellbeing and the environment as their human counterparts. The intersection of health, naturalness and sustainability is where we see the key trends of 2025 heading.
Our superior insects ingredients are natural to cats and dogs and can deliver pet health benefits while lowering the environmental footprint of pet food. From the inception of insect-based nutrition, it was evident that this innovation presented an exciting opportunity for the pet food industry to lower its environmental footprint. From the beginning, it was also clear that insect ingredients are inherently natural, as in nature they are a part of many animal’s diets. As the body of scientific research expands, we are uncovering more and more functionalities and positive reasons to incorporate insect ingredients for health benefits.
For example, we will unveil a groundbreaking white paper at Zoomark showing the skin barrier and anti-oxidant benefits of our ProteinX insect meal in pet food. This new study heralds good news for dogs, especially those suffering from allergies or other skin issues. Other recent white papers have shown that ProteinX also has the potential to improve oral health in dogs and gut health in cats. We look forward to welcoming you to our booth in Hall 21, B41-C42, to explore the latest insights and discoveries.”

How are you addressing the growing demand for premium and sustainable pet products?

“At Zoomark, we will be showcasing our comprehensive portfolio of superior insect ingredients for pet food manufacturers. These premium ingredients enable them to meet the growing demand for premium, healthy, natural and sustainable pet food, perfectly aligning with the trend of pet humanisation. As pets are increasingly treated as family members, they deserve nutrition that not only benefits their health and wellbeing, but also supports a more sustainable future for the planet.

Though we've already uncovered numerous health benefits of insect ingredients, this year we're shining a spotlight on the skin barrier and antioxidant effects for dogs. We will be launching a new white paper revealing that incorporating ProteinX into a dog's diet improves skin barrier function which is important to prevent dehydration, preserve moisture in the stratum corneum skin layer, maintain its structural integrity, and help protect against skin infections. ProteinX in the diet can also enhance the antioxidant defence system. This is particularly crucial for pets suffering from skin problems, and is also vital for maintaining overall health, organism functions, and preventing premature ageing of the body's cells. With these findings, we help pet food manufacturers bring new differentiating and relevant propositions to the market that keep pets and the planet happy.”