From nutrition to extrusion: Inside the 2026 Progressus Pet Food Masterclass

Connecting nutrition, formulation and manufacturing

At the heart of the Masterclass was one key principle: pet food quality can’t be viewed from nutrition or manufacturing alone.

The program connected nutritional requirements and ingredient functionality with formulation decisions, processing performance, and final product quality — exploring how choices made during formulation shape what happens during manufacturing, and how production conditions ultimately affect the finished product.

From nutritional requirements and ingredient functionality to formulation, extrusion, drying, coating, and plant operations, the Masterclass gave participants a broader view of the dry pet food production chain, treating nutrition and manufacturing as one connected discipline rather than two.

Learning from industry experts

A key strength of the Masterclass was direct access to experienced professionals spanning nutrition, formulation, palatability, extrusion, processing, and manufacturing technology.

Assoc Prof Dr Attawit Kovitvadhi, an independent nutrition consultant, covered pet nutritional requirements, formulation principles, and ingredient considerations for dogs and cats.

William McBride and Gunnar Hallmann of ANDRITZ (Aqua & Pet) addressed the practical link between formulation and manufacturing — extrusion, processing conditions, and equipment factors affecting product quality.

Arnaud Savarin (Symrise Pet Food) shared insights on nutrition, functional solutions, and market trends, while his colleague Marion Guilloux, Palatability – Global Development Manager, focused on palatability and sensory performance — how ingredients and product characteristics drive acceptance in dogs and cats.

Thomas Runde, CEO of Tietjen Verfahrenstechnik, brought a processing technology perspective centered on particle size reduction and raw material preparation.

Together, these experts illustrated how decisions at one stage of production — from formulation to grinding to extrusion — affect outcomes at another, reinforcing the Masterclass’s multidisciplinary approach.

Interactive discussions from nutrition to production

A highlight of the four days was the level of interaction between speakers and participants, who brought practical questions and real work experience into the room.

On the nutrition and formulation side, discussions explored ingredient functionality, functional ingredients, hydrolysates, and how nutritional decisions influence final product performance. Marion Guilloux’s palatability session was especially engaging, examining how palatability connects with ingredients, formulation, coating, and finished-product performance.

On the manufacturing side, conversations covered extrusion, fresh meat handling, grinding and particle size, coating, processing conditions, product consistency, and troubleshooting — highlighting the practical challenges of turning a formulation into a consistent finished product.

Discussions also extended into quality, safety, and industry standards, including AAFCO and FEDIAF recommendations, shelf life, oxidation, fresh pet food, and emerging technologies such as AI.

From knowledge to application

The Masterclass was designed to go beyond theory. Participants were encouraged to consider how each session’s content could apply to their own products, processes, and business challenges — whether evaluating an ingredient, developing a formulation, troubleshooting production, or exploring new product opportunities.

Expert-led sessions, real-world examples, and peer exchange gave participants a way to connect new knowledge directly to their day-to-day work.

A regional community of pet food professionals

With participants from across South and Southeast Asia, the Masterclass also created space for professionals to exchange experiences across markets.

While individual markets and production environments differ, the conversations made clear that many technical challenges — ingredient variability, formulation decisions, processing consistency, consumer expectations — are shared across the region.

This regional exchange created connections that extend beyond the classroom.

Looking ahead

The 2026 Pet Food Formulation & Production Masterclass reinforced the importance of connecting nutrition with manufacturing, and turning technical knowledge into practical action.

Progressus thanks all participants, speakers, knowledge contributors, and industry partners who contributed their expertise, questions, and experiences to make this Masterclass valuable.

The journey from nutrition to extrusion continues. Stay tuned for the Progressus Pet Food Masterclass 2027.

For upcoming courses and programs, visit progressus.asia