Interzoo 2018: Pet Industry Unites for Sustainability
Interzoo 2018, the world's largest trade fair for the pet industry, saw a significant focus on sustainability. The event showcased innovative, eco-friendly products and initiatives aimed at reducing the pet industry's environmental impact.
Cold-pressed dog foods, which use less energy and preserve nutrients better, gained prominence at the fair. Meanwhile, Pets International magazine launched a fundraising effort to establish a European chapter of the Pet Industry Sustainability Coalition (PISC).
Sunday Pets introduced a 'gentle baked' pet food line, highlighting its sustainability claims such as 'minimally processed', 'sustainable fishing', and 'fully traceable'. Novel ingredients like bamboo shoots and camel protein also made an appearance.
Several European companies, including Green Petfood, Yarrah Organic Petfood, and Terra Canis, presented new products or processing methods for sustainable dog food. Foxpak Flexibles introduced compostable pet food and treat bags, further emphasizing the industry's commitment to sustainability.
Discussions at the event ranged from pet food protein sources to packaging. WZF, the organizer of Interzoo, announced an initiative to create a manual for pet companies to improve their sustainability practices. A case study presented at the fair compared the carbon footprint of lamb and rice dog food to one made with insect protein, showing the latter had only 18% of the former's carbon footprint. Protix, a supplier of insect protein, now emphasizes sustainability over nutritional benefits in its marketing to the pet food industry.
Interzoo 2018 demonstrated the pet industry's growing commitment to sustainability. With innovative products, industry collaborations, and initiatives like the sustainability manual, the event set the stage for a greener future in pet care.
