The role of feed-grade amino acids in the bioeconomy: Contribution from production activities and use in animal feed

Abstract

Feed-grade amino acids contribute to the bioeconomy through both their production and use. Amino acids produced using biomass as feedstock are bio-based products and their production contributes to the bioeconomy in terms of value added and employment. The use of amino acids in animal feed allows to increase feed efficiency and thus to reduce the demand for feed. Their use helps to reduce the content of soybean meal in feed formulation, thereby reducing the demand for soybean meal and consequently the total area of arable land required for feed production. This article proposes a methodological approach for data collection as well as for the calculation of the mentioned effects and provides their first quantification. In the EU, the estimated contribution of bio-based amino acids in terms of value added (50 million €) and employment (400 employers) is quite low. Within the product group “feed-grade amino acids”, the share of bio-based amino acids is 15% in the EU and much lower as on the global level (70%). The contribution through the use of amino acids in animal feed is argued to be significant. Our calculation shows that it already helps to avoid the use of millions ha of arable land.