Evonik & BASF venture capital arms have invested in a Chinese technology start-up that enables more intelligent and healthier pig farming. SmartAHC, based in Chengdu and Shanghai, has developed monitoring devices and software that uses Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things to improve farm efficiency and animal welfare. Early detection of disease, for example, allows farmers to isolate sick animals and prevent widespread infection.

 

“This investment provides insight into emerging farm technologies that are highly pertinent to sustainable nutrition,” said Bernhard Mohr, head of the venture capital unit, Evonik. “China is both the largest producer and consumer of pork in the world, making it the most relevant market for intelligent and healthy pig farming.”

 

“Precision livestock farming is the future of a more sustainable animal protein value chain,” said Emmanuel Auer, head of Evonik’s Animal Nutrition business, Evonik. “With this investment Evonik can connect healthy animal nutrition concepts with sustainable approaches to animal farming and husbandry.”

 

SmartAHC produces devices that identify individual pigs, track their location and measure their temperature and fertility. A computer-vision tool provides information on weight, herd numbers and allows early detection of illness. Further devices collect data on feed inventory and daily consumption as well as monitoring of the farm environment for humidity, temperature and ammonia.

 

Based on the data collected and artificial intelligence algorithms, SmartAHC’s monitoring software platforms provide real-time information through dashboards, statistics and advice. Farmers have the advantage of improving the efficiency of the farm with lower mortality from disease and more efficient feeding.

 

The global pork market is about 1.4 billion animals a year with China accounting for about half. The swine precision farming market in China is expected to grow by more than 20 percent annually over the next decade as farmers seek to protect their animals from diseases such as African Swine Fever.

 

The technology from SmartAHC also contributes to reducing the risks from zoonotic diseases. These diseases transmitted from animals to humans, can cause pandemics, such as the H1N1 pathogen that triggered the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Current observations in China identified a mutation of the swine flu known as genotype 4 (G4) that has the potential to transfer to humans. Contactless monitoring of production animals reduces the risks of epidemic spread of such viruses.

 

'SmartAHC is a young company, but already has a keen understanding of the Chinese market and a good reputation among their customers in China,' said Markus Solibieda, Managing Director of BASF Venture Capital. 'SmartAHC's technology can contribute substantially to animal health as well as to economic optimization along the pork value chain. SmartAHC is a good fit for our investment focus on AgTech and digitalization. Moreover, our investment complements BASF's strategy of promoting sustainability and healthy nutrition.'

 

SmartAHC started development in 2014 with Song Lan and Howard Tang. “We are looking forward to taking another step in the development of our company together with BASF & Evonik,” said Song Lan, CEO, SmartAHC. This new financing will go towards increasing our research and development capacities and expanding our market presence. Our artificial intelligence uses the data collected in the pigsty to optimize processes, from breeding to finishing and slaughtering. At the same time, consumers increasingly want to know where their meat comes from. Our systems can provide this transparency."