Hankkija Finnish Feed Innovations have their roots in the long tradition of developing novel solutions in Finnish bioscience industry. Our highly innovative natural feed supplements promote better animal performance and gut health.
A successor of Suomen Rehu Oy and Cultor Oy, Hankkija Finnish Feed Innovations have a proud history in the development of game changing solutions that have become global phenomena.
With annual sales of 900 million € Hankkija Oy is part of the farmer-owned Danish Agro Group. Feed business comprises a quarter of Hankkija’s business, and exports of feed and feed ingredients is a growing part of the business.
Hankkija Finnish Feed Innovations (Hankkija FFI) is our umbrella brand used for R&D and export activities. Hankkija FFI’s role in innovation and product development activities is growing also in the Danish Agro group.
Progut® is our brand for patented yeast products. Progres® is the brand for products containing resin acids for gut integrity and performance in animals (Hankkija sold the product and the brand to AB Vista in 2023, but continues selling the product in Nordic and Baltic countries).
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Coming from a country so far north as Finland, we have always needed to be innovative to survive. Our values align with Nordic principles of Clean Air, Clean Food, Animal Health and Welfare. Trustworthiness, reliability and safety have always been the basis of our operations.
Strong focus on natural and management solutions
Antibiotics banned in animal feed since 1999
Finland has Salmonella free status in the European Union
Hankkija FFI develop superior quality feed ingredients and additives with its well-established, state-of-the-art research partner network.
Our R&D Team focusses on sustainable natural products which improve and stabilize gastrointestinal homeostasis and thus ensure an excellent performance of farm animals even in challenging conditions.
One Health is a key value for us. We aim to contribute to the global battle against antimicrobial resistance with our unique feed solutions.
The claims we make on the efficacy of our products are always backed by scientific, published evidence.
Natural products which improve intestinal homeostasis, balance the immune protection, and promote a stable, beneficial gastrointestinal microbiota.
Continuously developing and refining new natural feed products, with a strong pipeline of innovative solutions in development.
R&D with a synergistic combination of skill sets in microbiology, animal physiology, gut health and animal production performance.
Well-established network of top research institutes and collaborators.
Roots in Finnish biotechnological research launched in 1980s.
The predecessors of Hankkija FFI – Suomen Rehu, Cultor and FinnFeeds – had gained renown for the development of game changing solutions that have become global phenomena.
In the 1980s, we became the first in the world to launch the feed enzymes Avizyme and Porzyme, as well as Betafin, a natural Betaine. Then, in the 2010s, we became the first company to develop, for use in animal feeding, resin acids from Finnish coniferous trees. These novel compounds, together with our unique yeast hydrolyzate products and product concepts currently in our innovation pipeline, can be essential tools in all natural feeding concepts that support gut health.
Already years ago, Hankkija FFI made a concise commitment to circular economy. Feed innovations Progres® and Progut® are manufactured according to these principles. With our trusted partners of industrial companies and research institutes, we have been running several research projects with the aim of producing new feed materials and additives for improved gastrointestinal functions of farm animals.
The global farm animal industry will need to focus on antibiotic-free production systems now more than ever. Finnish broiler chickens have been raised without antibiotics already for 10 years. The antibiotic-free meat production is a true possibility also in other countries and for other animal groups. We at Hankkija Finnish Feed Innovations are here to help you to succeed in this challenge.
We have invested a lot in gut health related research because the work of independent top research groups gives us confidence that the developed products will consistently show their benefits in animal production. Cooperation with the research partners is also increasing our own expertise, which we can share with our customers.
So, our patented yeast hydrolysate Progut® was one of the products that was developed with the help of Cultor Research Center in the 90’ies. A long-term cooperation with Glykos Ltd, Alimetrics Ltd, and Cyflo Ltd took our understanding on bacterial attachment, the molecular sugar structures involved in it, and the role of microbial balance to the next level.
Hankkija developed and brought to market a unique resin acids product (Progres®, now owned by AB Vista). This product has been developed using the expertise of our old trusted partners and newer partners such as the University of Ghent and Schothorst Feed Research as well.
Long term cooperation with Ghent university helped us learn, how in feed resin acids (Progres®) not only modulate gut microbiota but also reduce the damage caused by collagen break down induced by inflammation.
Different research projects were aimed at claryfying, how yeast derived products and especially our yeast hydrolysate Progut® prepare immune system for challenges to come.
We have been exploring, how pathogen binding properties of our patented yeast hydrolysate, and modulation of microbiota by Progut® and Progres®.
What sets us apart is our Network of Research Partners offering a synergistic combination of skill sets in microbiology, animal physiology, gut health and animal production performance. State of the art research partners are the key in developing ideas into top feed innovations. Hankkija Finnish Feed Innovations (FFI) and its predecessor Suomen Rehu (Finnish Feeds) have been working with multi-disciplinary research network for more than 20 years. We have been lucky in finding always state of the art research partners to support our product development and to increase our knowledge, which we can share with our customers.
Together we investigate product candidates, especially from the Finnish Nature, that may offer solutions to the food production challenges of today and tomorrow.
Published articles:
Aguirre, M., Vuorenmaa, J., Kettunen, H., Valkonen, E., Callens, C., Haesebrouck, F., Ducatelle, R., Van Immerseel, F. and Goosens, E. (2019) In-feed resin acids reduce matrix metalloproteinase activity in the ileal mucosa of healthy broilers without inducing major effects on the gut microbiota. In: Veterinary Research 50: 15.
Apajalahti, J., Vienola K., Raatikainen K., Kettunen H. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2020) Distribution, metabolism, and recovery of resin acids in the intestine and tissues of broiler chickens in a feeding trial with tall oil fatty acid-supplemented diets. In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Hasan, S., Saha, S., Junnikkala, S., Orro, T., Peltoniemi, O. and Oliviero, C. (2018) Late gestation diet supplementation of resin acid-enriched composition increases sow colostrum IgG content, piglet colostrum intake and modulates sow gut microbiota. In: Animal.
Kettunen, H., van Eerden, E., Lipiński, K., Rinttilä, T., Valkonen, E. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2017) Dietary resin acid composition as a performance enhancer for broiler chickens. In: Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition 5: 1–8.
Kettunen, H., , Rinttilä, T., Grönberg, H., Valkonen, E. and Apajalahti, J. (2015) Natural resin acid-enriched composition as a modulator of intestinal microbiota and performance enhancer in broiler chicken. In: Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition 3: 1–9.
Roy, K., Lyhs, U., Vuorenmaa, J. and Pedersen, K. (2018) In vitro inhibition studies of natural resin acids to Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O149. In: Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition 5: 1–5.
Vienola, K., Jurgens, G., Vuorenmaa, J. and Apajalahti, J. (2018) Tall oil fatty acid inclusion in the diet improves performance and increases ileal density of lactobacilli in broiler chickens. In: British Poultry Science. 59: 349–355.
Published abstracts and posters:
Hasan, S., Junnikkala, S., Peltoniemi, O. and Oliviero, C. (2017) Dietary supplementation of tall oil fatty acid and resin acid in farrowing sows can affect the colostrum quality. At: The 9th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2017, Prague, Czech Republic. (Poster)
Hasah, S., Kamyzek, M., Vuorenmaa, J., Valkonen, E., and Kettunen, H. (2019) Dietary resin acid supplementation improves the performance of sows and piglets. At: 3rd International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics (ATA) December 16-18, 2019, Bangkok, Thailand. (Poster)
Hasan, S., Saha, S., Yun, J., Peltoniemi, O. and Oliviero, C. (2018) Dietary supplementation with tall oil fatty acid and resin acid increases sow colostrum IgG and piglets’ colostrum intake in free farrowing pen. At: The 10th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2018, Barcelona, Spain. (Presentation, Abstract)
Hasan, S., Sani, S., Junnikkala, S., Orro, T., Peltoniemi, O., Oliviero, C. (2018) Late gestation diet supplementation of resin acid-enriched composition increases sow colostrum IgG, piglet colostrum intake and modulates sow gut microbiota. At: 14th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs, 21-24 August 2018, Brisbane, Australia. (Presentation, Abstract)
Kairenius, P., Mäntysaari, P., Lidauer P., Franco M., Frantzi, M., Kettunen H. and Rinne, M. (2019) The effects of in-feed resin acid inclusion on milk production responses of dairy cows. At: XIIIth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP 2019), Leipzig, Germany, 3-6 September 2019. (Poster)
Kettunen, H., Apajalahti, J., Valkonen, E., Rinttilä, T., Grönberg, H. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014) A novel, resin-based dietary ingredient reduces the risk of necrotic enteritis in turkeys. At: The XIVth European Poultry Conference (EPC) 2014, Stavanger, Norway. (Poster)
Kettunen, H., Frantzi, M., Vuorenmaa, J., Breves, G. and Eger, M. (2019) Resin acid composition increases propionate and butyrate production in a Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC) model. At: XIIIth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP 2019), Leipzig, Germany, 3-6 September 2019. (Poster)
Kettunen, H., Vuorenmaa, J., Valkonen, E. and Apajalahti, J. (2014) A resin acid -based product improved performance of broiler chicks in a necrotic enteritis model using a commercial-type dietary formula. At: The XIVth European Poultry Conference (EPC) 2014, Stavanger, Norway. (Presentation, Abstract)
Kettunen, H., Vuorenmaa, J., Vienola, K., Valkonen, E., Apajalahti, J. and Vartiainen, S. (2019) Resin acid composition reduces small-intestinal expression of collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases in broilers. At: 6th International Conference on Poultry Intestinal Health (IHSIG 2019), Rome, Italy 3–5 April 2019. (Poster)
Kolpe, A., Aguirre, M., Vuorenmaa, J., Valkonen, E., Kettunen, H., Callens, C., Haesebrouck, F., Ducatelle, R., Van Immerseel, F. and Goossens, E. (2019) Resin acids reduce expression of matrix metalloproteinases in vitro and in the ileal mucosa of broilers. At: 6th International Conference on Poultry Intestinal Health (IHSIG 2019), Rome, Italy 3–5 April 2019. (Presentation, Abstract)
Kolpe, A., Goossens, E., Van Immerseel, F., Antonissen, G., De Gussem, M., Dedeurwaerder, A., Ducatelle, R., Vuorenmaa, J., Hasan, S., Valkonen, E. and Kettunen, H. (2019) In-feed resin acids improve small-intestinal mucosal characteristics of broiler chickens during dysbiosis challenge. At: 3rd International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics (ATA), December 16-18, 2019, Bangkok, Thailand. (Poster)
Lipiński, K., Vuorenmaa, J., Antoszkiewicz, Z., Kaliniewicz, J., Mazur M. and Makowski, Z. (2017) Effect of resin acid composition on growth performance, footpad dermatitis, slaughter value and gastrointestinal tract development in turkeys. At: The 21st European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN), Salou, Spain. (Poster)
Qin, N., Karenius, P., Lidauer, P., Franco, M., Niku, M., Junnikkala, S., and Kettunen, H. (2019) The effects of in-feed resin acid composition on the colostrum composition and immunity of dairy cows. At: XIIIth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP 2019), Leipzig, Germany, 3-6 September 2019. (Poster)
Roy, K., Lyhs, U. and Pedersen, K. (2015) Inhibition studies of natural resin acids to Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli O149. At: The 1st International Conference on Necrotic Enteritis in Poultry 2015, Copenhagen, Denmark. (Poster)
Valkonen, E. (2018) Performance enhancing effect of a natural resin acid composition in broiler chickens under a variety of challenge conditions. At: The 15th European Poultry Conference (EPC) 2018, Dubrovnik, Croatia. (Presentation, Abstract).
Valkonen, E., Apajalahti, J., Kettunen, H., Vienola, K., Vuorenmaa, J. and Raatikainen, K. (2019) In-feed resin acids do not accumulate in broiler breast muscle or adipose tissue At: 22nd European Symposium in Poultry Nutrition (ESPN 2019), 10-13 June, Gdańsk, Poland. (Poster)
Valkonen, E., Sarker, N., Hasan, S., Kettunen, H. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2019) Effects of resin acid composition on broiler performance in comparison to ionophoric in-feed coccidiostat. At: World’s Poultry Science Association, Bangladesh Branch, 11th International Poultry Seminar, 5-6 March 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Presentation, Abstract)
Vuorenmaa, J., Goossens, E., Kettunen, H., Aguirre, M., Valkonen, E., Ducatelle, R., Hasan, S. and Van Immerseel, F. (2019) Natural resin acid composition supports the connective tissue of small intestinal epithelium and brings consistent performance benefits to broilers. At: World’s Poultry Science Association, Bangladesh Branch, 11th International Poultry Seminar, 5-6 March 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Poster)
Vuorenmaa, J., Valkonen, E., Apajalahti, J., Kettunen, H. and Vienola, (2019) Beneficial performance effect of tall oil fatty acids is likely based on the effects of resin acids. At: 22nd European Symposium in Poultry Nutrition (ESPN 2019), 10-13 June, Gdańsk, Poland. (Poster)
Vuorenmaa, J., Valkonen, E. and Kettunen, H. (2017) Dietary resin acid composition as a performance enhancer for broiler chickens. At: 5th International Conference on Poultry Intestinal Health, 11-12 October 2017, Bangkok, Thailand. (Presentation, Abstract)
Yun, J., Hasan, S., Saha, S., Oliveiro, C. and Peltoniemi, O. (2018) Effects of supplementing prepartum sow diets with organic acids on neonatal piglet mortality. At: 10th European Symposium on Porcine Health Management, 9-11 May 2018 Barcelona, Spain. (Poster)
Published articles, monogastric animals:
Hasan, S., Junnikkala, S., Peltoniemi, O., Paulin, L., Lyyski, A., Vuorenmaa, J. and Oliviero, C. (2018) Dietary supplementation with yeast hydrolysate in pregnancy does influence colostrum yield, gut microbiota of sow and piglets after birth. In: Plos One. (https:\\doi.org\10.1371\journal.pone.0197586)
Jensen, K., Damgaard, B., Andresen, L., Jørgensen, E. and Carstensen, E. (2013) Prevention of post weaning diarrhea by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived product based on whole yeast. In: Animal Feed Science and Technology 183: 29–39.
Kim, M., Seo, J., Yun, C. Kang, S., Ko, J. and Ha, J. (2011) Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation in calf starter on immune responses to vaccine challenge in neonatal calves. In: Animal 5: 953–960.
Molist, F., van Eerden E., Parmentier, H.K. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014) Effects of inclusion of hydrolyzed yeast on the immune response and performance of piglets after weaning. In: Animal Feed Science and Technology 195: 136–141.
Vaahtovuo, J., Korkeamäki, M., Munukka, E., Hämeenoja, P. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2007) Microbial balance index – a view on the intestinal microbiota. In: Livestock Science 109: 174–178.
Published articles, ruminants
Gaffney, D., Sheehy, M., Vuorenmaa, J. and Fahey, A. (2014) The effect of supplementing dairy cows with a hydrolyzed yeast product (ProgutRumen) on milk production and somatic cell scores (Abstract). In: Journal of Animal Science. Vol. 92, E-Suppl. 2/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 97, E-Suppl., 789.
Kettunen, H., Vuorenmaa, J., Gaffney, D. and Apajalahti, J. (2016) Yeast hydrolysate product enhances ruminal fermentation in vitro. In: Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition 4.
Meissner, H., Henning, P. Leeuw, K-J., Hagg, F., Horn, C., Kettunen, A. and Apajalahti, J. (2014) Efficacy and mode of action of selected non-ionophore antibiotics and direct-fed microbials in relation to Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 during in vitro fermentation of an acidosis-causing substrate. In: Livestock Science 162: 115–125.
Posters:
Gaffney D., Sheehy M., Vuorenmaa J., Fahey A. (2014) The effect of supplementing dairy cows with a hydrolyzed yeast product (ProgutRumen) on milk production and somatic cell scores. At: Joint Annual Meeting 2014, Kansas City, USA.
Hasan S., Junnikkala S., Peltoniemi O., Oliviero C. (2017): Dietary supplementation of pregnancy diet with yeast derivate can influence colostrum yield, colostrum composition and gut microbiota. At: Gut Health Symposium 2017, St Louis, USA.
Hasan, S., Peltoniemi, O., Vuorenmaa, J., Oliviero, C. (2019). Use of antibiotics at early age can affect the gut microbiota composition and diversity in one -week old piglets. At: 11th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2019, Utrecht, The Netherlands. (Poster)
Hasan, S., Valkonen, E., Kettunen,H., Vuorenmaa, J. (2019). A unique hydrolyzed yeast product can prevent postweaning diarrhea in Escherichia coli-susceptible piglets. At: Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals 2019, St. Louis, USA. (Presentation, Abstract)
Molist, F., van Eerden, E., Parmentiers, H. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014). Effects of inclusion of hydrolyzed yeast on the immune response and performance of piglets after weaning. At: The 6th European Symposium on Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2014, Sorrento, Italy.
Oliviero C, Hasan S, Junnikkala S, Peltoniemi O. (2016) Effect of a late pregnancy diet supplemented with hydrolysed yeast on sow colostrum yield and its composition. At: European Symposium of Domestic Animal Reproduction 2016, Lisbon, Portugal.
Vaahtovuo, J., Korkeamaki, M., Munukka, E., Valaja, J., Venalainen, E., Vuorenmaa, J., Hameenoja, E. and Helander, E. (2006). Intestinal microbiota and feed design. At: the 12th European Poultry Congress 2006, Verona, Italy.
Hankkija’s exports have their origin in the export activities of Suomen Rehu since more than 20 years. Today we are selling our innovative products in more than 30 countries worldwide. In our export markets we mostly work with local distributors as our partners.
In 2023 the resin acids innovation Progres® was sold to AB Vista, Hankkija continues distributing the product in Nordic and Baltic countries.
Find out who is selling our products in your country
DistributorsContact our Area Sales Managers for further information
ContactOur Nearby Export offers also a wide range of special feeds, which usually contain our patented feed innovations.
Learn more about Hankkija's Nearby Export
