Neova’s InnoFeed research provides new insights into the properties of peat in animal nutrition
Neova’s two-year InnoFeed research and development project has progressed from the research phase towards product commercialisation. Launched in early 2025, the project aims to develop a new peat-based feed material for international markets and to generate scientific knowledge on its composition, safety and properties relevant to animal nutrition. Business Finland has granted research and development funding for the project, which has a total budget of EUR 1.6 million.
The InnoFeed project has been carried out in collaboration with a Finnish and European network of companies and research organisations specialising in research in the field. During the project, the product formulation has been developed, and laboratory studies and feeding trials with production animals have been conducted to investigate the product’s composition, properties and relevance to animal nutrition. The studies have generated promising results concerning the product’s safety and properties, as well as the potential physicochemical factors underlying these properties.
Research provides new insights into the composition of peat
Peat is a natural material containing a diverse range of compounds formed through the slow decomposition of plant material. Compounds relevant to animal nutrition include fibres, fat-soluble compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds and humic substances.
Neova Agro produces a peat-based fibrous product that is used in piglet and broiler production as enrichment feed or as a feed material. The product is the result of extensive research and development conducted with previous Business Finland funding between 2020 and 2023. The product has demonstrated positive effects on animal welfare and growth.
As part of the InnoFeed project, laboratory studies have investigated, among other things, the interactions between peat and certain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are compounds produced by moulds that are commonly found in feed and may have adverse effects on production animals. In the laboratory studies, binding of mycotoxins to the peat material under investigation was observed.
These results contribute to a better understanding of the physicochemical properties of peat. However, further research is needed to assess the practical significance of the phenomena observed under laboratory conditions in animal nutrition.
Several phenolic compounds were also identified in peat in laboratory analyses, and antioxidant activity was observed in the peat material. Identifying these characteristics provides further information on the composition and physicochemical properties of peat.
Further investigation of the composition and properties of peat extract
The InnoFeed project focuses particularly on the research and development of a peat-based extract. The research found that compounds naturally present in peat can be concentrated into the liquid fraction during the extraction process. In laboratory analyses, antioxidant activity was observed particularly in this extract fraction.
The results provide new information on the composition and inherent physicochemical properties of peat extract. Further studies will investigate the relevance to animal nutrition of the antioxidant activity and mycotoxin-binding capacity observed for the peat extract under laboratory conditions.
New business opportunities from higher value-added products
The research projects funded by Business Finland have generated a considerable amount of new knowledge about peat as a versatile natural raw material.
Business Finland is a Finnish public organisation that provides innovation funding and supports business growth through funding for research, product development and business development. Business Finland supports companies targeting new export markets and encourages large companies to collaborate with research organisations and SMEs.
For further information:
Mia Suominen
Business Area Director
Neova Agro
tel. +358 20 790 5653