Dear colleagues,
Enjoy reading the SARIA Global Newsletter no. 2/2025.
Behind the red buttons are websites with automatic translations.
SARIA Ingredients & Energy contains the activities of ReFood, SecAnim, Biofuels (ecoMotion & TESSAF), SARVAL Dry, SARVAL Wet and Bioceval in the field of collection and processing organic and animal by-products into new sources of energy, animal feed and other valuable materials.
- Interview on the divisional strategy process
- SARVAL and SecAnim UK: digital innovation with ERP system
- ReFood Germany's new depackaging system
- ReFood Poland's fresh marketing in action
- ReFood UK: new legislation brings new opportunities
- SecAnim Denmark upgrades wastewater treatment plant
- SARIA France on French television
SARIA Food & Pharma combines the activities of Van Hessen, Devro and Bioiberica in the field of natural casings, collagen-based edible films and coatings, as well as pharmaceutical active ingredients. The latest topics are:
- SARIA Food & Pharma appoints new HR Director
- Van Hessen and Devro in Japan
- Devro Management Team visits Nantong site
- Bioiberica celebrates 50th anniversary
Decision on the names of the BUs
The business units (BUs) for processing animal by-products of category 3 have been named. The name Bioceval will be used for the fish-processing activities. The meat-processing activities are listed in the internal organizational structure under the names SARVAL Dry (country-driven BU) and SARVAL Wet (independet BU). Externally, the two BUs will be presented under the SARVAL brand. Sinova will no longer be used.
The nine BUs within the SARIA Group combine our operational activities and businesses and have been organized into two divisions since September 2024.
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No. 02/2025
Interview on the divisional strategy process
To ensure a clear strategic direction for the future, a comprehensive strategy process across the entire division SARIA Ingredients & Energy was initiated. Learn more about the background here.
Giovanni Fappani, Managing Director of ECB, the Italian organization of the SARIA Group, gives an insight how the process looks from his perspective.
This is the first time we are conducting a structured strategy process like this. How do you perceive the overall approach and what do you think are the biggest advantages or challenges?
Giovanni: The overall approach is professional and well structured. As it is the first time and without any best practice examples from the past as points of reference, the topic is very complex. At the same time, it also gives us the opportunity to define the future direction of our business and the right positioning of our organization with an unbiased view.
How has the bottom-up assessment process in your country progressed so far in terms of key challenges and learnings?
Giovanni: The first step was to identify the experts for our Italian activities who should be involved in the process. We then systematized the overall situation, covering critical market movements, important external stakeholders, the status of our plants, suppliers, customers and competitors. The biggest challenge is to find reliable and meaningful data about external third parties. Conducting a critical self-assessment of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats has already sharpened our awareness.
Managing Director of ECB
Are there any specific insights emerging from the assessment that are relevant for the overall strategy?
Giovanni: The challenge of accessing raw materials, remaining competitive, producing cost-effectively and at the same time expanding our competitive advantage will have a significant impact on the overall strategy. We must keep an eye on what we are doing well so far, and we have to take action where deficits are evident to grow sustainably through efficiency, investment and innovation.
What outcome from the strategy process do you personally hope for regarding your own organization?
Giovanni: Clear and ambitious strategic targets for the Italian activities, under the umbrella of a division SARIA Ingredients & Energy that aligns all businesses with a progressive vision and mission.
SARVAL and SecAnim UK: digital innovation with ERP system
UK is driving digital development forward and launching a new automated weighbridge system at SecAnim and a new custom intake app at SARVAL to boost operational efficiency.
New automated weighbridge system for SecAnim
SecAnim’s new automated weighbridge system enables hauliers to use a booking reference to complete their weigh-in through ERP integration. In March, the SecAnim plant in Widnes successfully implemented a fully automated self-service weighbridge, a key milestone in streamlining logistics operations. The new system uses WinWeigh software, which is fully integrated with the ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.
The integration means hauliers are able to quickly check-in using a booking reference code generated in Business Central which is then sent directly to WinWeigh, enabling the driver to complete their weigh-in process independently. Once the vehicle has been weighed, the data automatically flows back to Business Central via API, where key records are updated for quality control and billing.
By implementing a fully automated system, real-time data and information can flow between systems, not only reducing the risk of manual error, but also reducing time spent at the weighbridge, offering both operational efficiency and improved driver experience.
Building on from the successful implementation at Widnes, preparations are underway for a roll out of the same WinWeigh software at the SARVAL Hartshill site in May.
New custom intake app for SARVAL
SARVAL UK have successfully developed and implemented a custom intake app within its ERP system tailored specifically for SARVAL’s Wet Petfood plant. This new custom app provides a smarter way to manage the intake of raw materials.
The app enables direct entry of both bulk and binned materials into the ERP system at the point of receipt. By embedding intake directly into the wider ERP workflow, the need for manual back-office data entry has been eliminated resulting in a more streamlined intake process, improved accuracy in reporting, and enhanced billing for raw materials.
ReFood Germany’s new depackaging system
In Germany, ReFood is investing in ultra-modern plant technology to process packaged and unpackaged food and food leftovers separately.
Legal background
The final stage of the amended Biowaste Ordinance will come into force across Germany on May 1, 2025. Contaminants, especially plastics, are to be kept out of biowaste treatment processes such as fermentation and composting right from the start. The aim of the new regulation is to improve the quality of biowaste and sustainably reduce the environmental impact of contaminants such as plastic.
What does this mean for ReFood?
The legal background results in the following requirements for the ReFood unpackaging centers:
- Commercially packaged organic waste, such as expired food from supermarkets, must be stripped of its packaging separately fromunpackaged food waste.
- Unpackaging using a machine is considered legally compliant if the control value in the organic fraction separated from the packaging does not exceed a total plastic content of 0.5% in relation to the dry substance.
In order to keep contamination with particles like plastic as low as possible, it is important that the packaging itself remains mostly intact during depacking. To achieve this, the organic content of the packaging is “shaken” or “beaten” out of the packaging. The packaging is not shredded in the traditional sense! The packaging components and other contaminants are separated from the biomass using sieves, separated in a container and then pressed to extract the adhering water. SARIA’s sister company, REMONDIS, then recycles the material at its waste incineration plants to generate electricity, process steam and district heating.
ReFood invests
In Germany, ReFood has four depackaging centers in Trossingen, Lampertheim (Hüttenfeld), Marl and Genthin (Mützel). The ReFood facility in Trossingen is one of the newest locations in Germany and was already equipped with the appropriate process technology for the opening in 2020.
The other unpacking centers were equipped with new systems this year. The new process technology will make it possible to process packaged and unpackaged products in an all-in-one solution, using a single machine. In addition to the legally compliant processing of packaged food and unpackaged food leftovers, the state-of-the-art unpacking systems also ensure smooth delivery processes via roll-off containers.
With the conversion of the unpacking centers, ReFood Germany is well positioned for the future.
ReFood Poland’s fresh marketing in action
In Poland, ReFood has been presenting itself with a fresh brand message and a newly designed logo since last year.
With the refresh, ReFood is presenting itself as a modern brand with high recognition value on the market and is underlining its commitment to sustainable solutions through color, design and a new slogan: Power for a better future. All this is the result of an international strategy workshop in which marketing representatives from four countries in which ReFood is active joined forces to define how the brand should present itself in the future.
The country’s newest ReFood location in Mszczonów, about 50 km south of Warsaw, has been displaying new flags, signs and three newly branded trucks in the corresponding look since June 2024. The rollout of the new design to the four other ReFood locations in Poland will follow step by step.
EuroGastro 2025
From March 11-13, 2025, ReFood presented its range of services at the 28th edition of the EuroGastro international trade fair, the largest event for the hotel, restaurant and catering industry in Poland. The trade fair took place in Warsaw and attracted over 23,000 visitors and 521 exhibitors from 34 countries.
ReFood used EuroGastro to present itself in its new design to potential and existing customers. The booth became the hub for discussions on sustainable waste management, cost reduction strategies, and modern zero-waste technologies.
As the development strategy in Poland focuses on expanding the customer portfolio, the event was important to present itself strategically to potential customers in the hotel and restaurant sector.
YouTube Channel
ReFood in Poland launched the REFOOD Polska YouTube channel to raise awareness of sustainable waste management and support customers in their sustainability efforts. In the future, in addition to presenting business activities, success stories from the perspective of ReFood customers will be shared to promote the benefits of proper waste management.
Subscribe to the channel and leave a like and a comment to support the Polish ReFood colleagues.
ReFood UK: new legislation brings new opportunities
The new UK legislation on food waste recycling opens doors on new opportunities for ReFood.
UK Government’s new food waste legislation for businesses came into effect on 1st April, setting the spotlight firmly on sustainable waste management. Under the new legislation, all businesses (with 10+ employees) producing food waste will be legally required to separate it for collection and recycling by a reputable service provider, rather than sending it to landfill or incineration. This is a landmark step in reducing the environmental impact of commercial food waste.
New rules on food waste disposal, combined with ReFood’s industry-leading service and tailored solutions, has enabled ReFood to lay groundworks for potential partnerships with local councils in the three ReFood operating regions – Doncaster, Widnes and Dagenham. Once the final contracts are signed, ReFood will be working in partnership with councils to become the primary food waste collection and recycling partner for city centre businesses.
These partnerships aren’t just about compliance, they’re about making real impact on the environment – keeping food waste out of landfill, reducing emissions, and supporting renewable green energy generation for local businesses and communities. Being the number one choice for councils reaffirms ReFood’s position as the number one food waste recycling business in the UK and highlights the commitment to sustainability and a greener future.
SecAnim Denmark upgrades wastewater treatment plant
SecAnim Denmark is about to complete a major upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant in Randers. The project enhances operational stability, reduces dependence on external storage, and supports the company’s ‘must-win battles’ in terms of efficiency and sustainability.
Necessity of the upgrade
The goal is to ensure a more even flow of wastewater treatment across all seven days of the week. Previously, an uneven inflow – especially during start-up and shutdown – led to excess wastewater being kept outside the site and later returned for treatment, affecting both efficiency and resource consumption.
A key challenge was that only category 2 operations allowed flow control—category 1 did not. To address this, a new 3,600 m³ discharge tank and pump station have been installed, developed in close collaboration with SARIA’s Smart Technology Team. The system is now in the final phase of commissioning.
Once operational, the upgrade will stabilize the treatment process and reduce the need for manual oversight. The ability to dose wastewater via the new pump station will streamline operations, lower transport costs, and improve sustainability.
Marking the milestone
To celebrate progress, a topping-out ceremony was held in Randers on April 3. René Christian Vernersen, Environmental Team Leader, welcomed attendees and outlined the project’s goals and timeline. Together with Project Manager Søren Høeg, he expressed pride in the results and gratitude for the strong turnout. At other Daka sites, the milestone was marked with cake.
The timeline documents the construction process for the equalizing reservoir and the pumping station of the wastewater treatment plant from 2021 to 2025.
SARIA France on French television
A documentary film follows the journey of two Ukrainian refugees and also shows the location of Kervalis Armor in Trémorel, a SARIA France production site in Brittany.
On March 24, Kervalis Armor welcomed a France Télévisions team for a touching and inspiring report on the journey of two Ukrainian Kervalis colleagues who have been rebuilding their lives in France since the conflict began in their country. These two women, who have been followed by the TV crew for three years, embody exceptional resilience and determination. Since their arrival, they have shown outstanding adaptability and taken on new responsibilities that are very different from their previous experience – always with commitment and purpose.
The report highlights their successful integration into the company and their ability to thrive in a completely new environment. Cameras captured authentic moments from their daily work, offering a moving portrayal of strength, courage, and hope. The report is scheduled to air in April on France’s second national TV channel (France 2) in the program “13h15, le dimanche”. It will shine a light on their inspiring stories and the human values shared by the teams – especially the kindness and support shown by site manager Julien Millot and the Kervalis Armor team.
Since the mid-1990s, Kervalis has been collecting and processing Category 3 meat by-products to produce animal protein ingredients for the pet food and animal feed industries. With its business activities, Kervalis belongs to the SARVAL Dry business unit within the SARIA Ingredients & Energy division.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, and above all, to these two courageous women who remind us daily of the power of resilience and solidarity.
SARIA Food & Pharma appoints new HR Director
SARIA Food & Pharma is pleased to announce the appointment of Nico Swart as the new Group HR Director of the division, effective 1 May 2025.
Nico brings a wealth of international HR leadership experience to the organization, having held senior roles across multiple industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, professional services, and IT. Most recently, he served as Group HR Director at Royal Agrifirm Group, a leading agricultural cooperative. He also serves on the Supervisory Board of Royal GD Animal Health, a respected institution focused on advancing animal health and husbandry through independent consultancy, research, and health programs. Nico holds a Master’s degree in Strategy & Organizational Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, and has completed executive education in General Management at INSEAD in France. Originally from the Netherlands, Ned lives with his family in a small village in the south of the country.
Nico stated: “I am very excited to start in this role and look forward to meeting everyone and working together to build a stronger SARIA Food & Pharma.”
SARIA Food & Pharma looks forward to welcoming Nico into the Division and working together to drive continued growth and success.
Van Hessen and Devro in Japan
In May 2024, Devro and Van Hessen joined forces to expand their presence in the sausage casing business in Japan by welcoming NEW ASIA TRADING CO., LTD. and its colleagues into the SARIA Food & Pharma division.
NEW ASIA had been the largest distributor of Van Hessen natural casings in Japan since 1996, specializing in the highest quality sheep casings for Japanese sausage makers. The company has a plant in Kawanishi, 15 kilometers from Osaka.
Now, almost one year on, the teams are continuing to work closely together – carrying out joint customer visits, regularly exchanging commercial insights, identifying new opportunities, and actively resolving customer queries. A new planning model has also been implemented, enabling the teams to work together more efficiently.
The Van Hessen team has been delivering on-site training to the Devro teams, while the Van Hessen China production team actively supports local teams in the Kawanishi plant. Together the teams collaborate on order placement and production-related matters, ensuring alignment across operations.
In October 2024, the team welcomed Leon Liu as the new Head of the Kawanishi plant. Leon shared his initial impressions and vision for the future: “Devro Japan is the only subsidiary managing both collagen and natural casing businesses, with the Kawanishi plant playing a vital role in processing natural casings. Collaborating with the Van Hessen team, we are focused on delivering the best products to our customers. Together we aim to make the Kawanishi plant stronger than ever and set a benchmark for success in both natural and collagen casing operations.”
This is a real-life example of teamwork and commitment to being individually strong, even better together. Whilst there is still plenty of work to do, the teams are confident that, through continued collaboration they will further strengthen the sales operation and drive sustained profitability.
Devro Management Team visits Nantong site
The Devro Management Team (DMT) led by CEO Harald van Boxtel, recently visited the Devro Nantong site in China. The trip served as an important opportunity to deepen collaboration, align on strategic priorities, and strengthen connections between global and local teams.
Throughout the visit, the DMT held engaging discussions with colleagues from the Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial functions in China. These exchanges fostered a warm and collaborative atmosphere, reinforcing the shared commitment to the ‘Winning Together’ strategy.
A key highlight of the trip was a Townhall meeting with Nantong site employees. During the session, the DMT shared updates on the company’s strategic priorities—enhancing customer proximity, advancing innovation, and optimizing sourcing and cost leadership. The team also took part in an open Q&A, encouraging conversation and helping to strengthen transparency, alignment, and team spirit.
The DMT toured the site under the guidance of Wendy Li, Nantong Operations Director. The visit offered insight into local production processes and operations. The team were impressed by the site’s efficiency and high standards of management. The DMT also met with representatives from the local Investment Promotion Bureau to explore opportunities for driving economic and industrial growth in the region—an important step in reinforcing Devro’s role as a committed local partner.
The phrase “Nantong Can Do!” perfectly summed up the visit, reflecting the site’s energy and the commitment of its people. With strong leadership and a dedicated team, Nantong is well positioned to contribute to Devro’s global growth and deliver long-term value for employees, partners, and the wider community.
Bioiberica celebrates 50th anniversary
As Bioiberica celebrates its 50th anniversary, Luis Solera, CEO of Bioiberica, reflects on the company’s evolution — from a pioneer in Heparin-API production to a global leader in the biotech industry.
Why has heparin remained indispensable for so many years?
Luis: Heparin is unique because it is not just an anticoagulant but also an antithrombotic agent. It remains indispensable in medical treatments, saving over 100 million lives annually. Almost everyone in the Western world will use heparin at some point, whether during surgery or pregnancy, where it plays a crucial role in preventing blood clots.
Despite its long history, heparin continues to be vital in healthcare. It is often taken for granted, but without it, many medical procedures would be significantly riskier. While the core mechanism of heparin remains unchanged, our focus is on refining its safety, traceability, and effectiveness, ensuring that it remains the gold standard in anticoagulation therapy.
What are the key factors behind Bioiberica’s leadership in the Heparin-API market?
Luis: Today, we are the largest producer of Heparin-API outside China. In the Western world, our APIs are used by major pharmaceutical companies. Our continued leadership is driven by our commitment to innovation and, most importantly, the highest standards of safety and traceability.
Traceability is crucial to our operations. We control every stage of the supply chain, from the farms where the pigs are raised to the slaughterhouses, transportation, and final API production. This rigorous control ensures product safety and quality. Additionally, our circular economy model optimizes raw material usage, as only a small fraction is needed to produce heparin. The rest is utilized for animal and agricultural health products, ensuring sustainability in our supply chain.
In addition to heparin, Bioiberica is known for other biological APIs. How has the demand for these products evolved with the rise of new therapies?
Luis: The demand for biological products is steadily increasing. Heparin, in particular, has shown consistent growth, driven by population expansion and medical advancements. Alongside Heparin-API, we have developed other APIs such as thyroid extracts, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate, all of which have proven therapeutic benefits.
Given Bioiberica’s global operations, how prepared is the company to face potential supply chain shocks?
Luis: We are well-prepared for supply chain challenges due to our global manufacturing footprint. Our facilities are strategically located near raw material sources, including the U.S., Brazil, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Spain, as well as in Latin America.
This geographical diversification ensures resilience against disruptions such as the porcine fever outbreak in China a few years ago. By maintaining multiple supply sources, we can guarantee consistent product availability for our customers, regardless of geopolitical or health-related challenges.
Sustainability isn’t often a focus in the pharmaceutical sector, yet Bioiberica has made it a core part of its operations. How?
Luis: Sustainability is at the core of our operations. When extracting biomolecules from animal sources, less than 1% of the raw material is used for APIs. The remaining 99% is repurposed, making efficiency and sustainability critical to our business model.
We transform these byproducts into functional ingredients for animal health and biostimulants for plant health, creating a fully circular bioeconomy. Our goal is to maximize the use of every resource, reducing waste and enhancing sustainability. Today, more than 90% of our co-products are recycled or reused, ensuring long-term environmental and economic viability.
As Bioiberica celebrates its 50th anniversary, where do you see the company heading in the next few years?
Luis: We are on the right track, continuously developing new therapeutic products in partnership with leading companies. While many of these projects are still confidential, they focus on delivering impactful solutions for human, animal, and plant health. Our expertise in extracting biomolecules will remain central to our growth strategy. We also recognize our responsibility in expanding both animal and plant health segments, particularly in reducing chemical use in agriculture. These areas represent key priorities as we continue to innovate and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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