Chemical
WACKER enters EU pet food additives market with fermented amino acids
The approval gives pet food manufacturers access to plant-based, fermentation-derived amino acids from a European supplier
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By ICN Bureau | August 16, 2026
WACKER is expanding into the European pet food additives market after securing European Commission approval for its L-cystine and L-cysteine products as sensory additives for all animal species.
The approval gives pet food manufacturers access to plant-based, fermentation-derived amino acids from a European supplier, opening a new market for WACKER’s FERMOPURE portfolio.
“With the new EU approval, we are expanding our range of pet food products in Europe to include amino acids produced through fermentation,” says Christian Hauk, Head of BioIngredients at WACKER’s Biosolutions business division. “This ensures that our customers receive products made from plant-based raw materials that are of the highest quality and fully traceable.”
WACKER says it is currently the only manufacturer of L-cysteine derived from biotechnologically produced cystine that is approved by the EU as a feed additive.
The company’s FERMOPURE VEGAN L-CYSTEINE and FERMOPURE NATURAL L-CYSTINE are designed for use as flavor precursors and flavor components in pet food. During processing, the amino acids react with reducing sugars in the Maillard reaction, creating meaty and savory flavors that can improve the palatability of food for cats and dogs.
The products can be incorporated into a range of formats, including liquids, chewable products, tablets and powders, and are effective at relatively low doses.
The European Commission’s approval covers FERMOPURE NATURAL L-CYSTINE PET FOOD and several FERMOPURE VEGAN L-CYSTEINE PET FOOD variants, including L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate, L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate 20 mesh, L-cysteine hydrochloride anhydrous and L-cysteine free base.
The authorization follows a positive safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), providing pet food manufacturers with a regulatory framework for using the products across animal species.
