The Fatory adds nitrogen filling to curb oxidation in pet oils: full analysis
The Fatory is positioning oxidation control as a manufacturing differentiator in pet nutrition, rolling out nitrogen filling capabilities designed to protect oil-based formulations during bottling. The Netherlands-based company says the technology reduces oxygen exposure from production through end use, a notable move in a category where omega oils, toppers, and other lipid-rich products can be especially vulnerable to quality loss over time. The upgrade builds on a broader automation push at the company’s Bodegraven facility. (bioriginal.nl)
The context here is important. The Fatory specializes in premium pet nutrition oils, toppers, and sheep fat treats, and Bioriginal describes it as home to one of Europe’s largest private-label production lines for pet supplement products. After Bioriginal acquired the business in September 2023, The Fatory became part of a larger vertically integrated ingredient and manufacturing platform. In April 2025, Bioriginal announced that The Fatory had commissioned a new high-efficiency liquid bottling line, framing the investment as a way to increase capacity and automation for a growing partner base in Europe and beyond. (bioriginalgroup.com)
That 2025 announcement offers the clearest primary-source detail behind the GlobalPETS item. According to Bioriginal, the new line includes a six-head filler, nitrogen injection, automated capping, labeling, induction sealing, and coding systems. The company said the goal was to improve efficiency and consistency while helping extend shelf life and maintain freshness in omega oil products. In practical terms, nitrogen filling works by displacing oxygen in the bottle and headspace, which matters because oxygen accelerates lipid oxidation in fat- and oil-containing products. (bioriginal.nl)
Outside the company’s own messaging, the broader science and industry commentary support the rationale. Pet Food Processing reported that oxidation in pet food can drive off-flavors, aroma changes, nutrient loss, and, in some cases, gastrointestinal upset. Experts interviewed there said packaging choices, including nitrogen flushing and oxygen-barrier materials, can reduce oxygen contact and help maintain quality and shelf life, especially when paired with antioxidant strategies and careful raw-material management. A peer-reviewed 2016 study on rapeseed and sunflower oils found that nitrogen flushing significantly reduced peroxide values during both accelerated and long-term storage, suggesting the technique can materially slow oxidative deterioration in oil systems. (petfoodprocessing.net)
The expert reaction in the trade press also underscores that nitrogen flushing isn't a silver bullet. Jim Mann of Kemin told Pet Food Processing that oxidation is influenced by temperature, humidity, light, oxygen, metals, and enzymes, while Parastou Farshi of Corbion emphasized the need to monitor both primary and secondary oxidation products. That means nitrogen filling is best understood as one control point in a larger product-protection strategy, not a standalone fix. For manufacturers of liquid supplements and toppers, though, controlling oxygen at fill-finish is one of the most direct interventions available. (petfoodprocessing.net)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this development is most relevant as a signal of where premium pet nutrition manufacturing is heading. Products built around fish oil, algal oil, krill oil, flax, and other unsaturated fats are susceptible to oxidation, which can affect both product acceptance and nutrient stability. Better oxygen management at bottling may help brands deliver more consistent shelf-life performance, particularly in private-label channels where formulation quality can vary and where products may spend extended time in distribution. That could matter for clinicians recommending supplements for skin, coat, mobility, or wellness support, because product stability influences what a pet parent is actually administering by the end of the bottle’s life. (bioriginal.nl)
There’s also a commercial angle. The Fatory is clearly using manufacturing capability as part of its pitch to brand partners, and nitrogen filling gives it a more concrete quality-control story in a crowded supplement market. For veterinary-adjacent brands, especially those selling oil-based products in Europe, supplier investments like this may become more important in procurement discussions around shelf life, returns, complaint reduction, and premium positioning. That’s an inference based on the company’s expansion strategy and the known role of oxidation in product performance. (bioriginal.nl)
What to watch: The next sign of impact will be whether The Fatory and its partners begin attaching the new nitrogen-filling capability to measurable shelf-life data, oxidation testing benchmarks, or new private-label launches, rather than treating it as a general manufacturing upgrade. (bioriginal.nl)