by Mehmet Uğur Gürkaynak, International Petfood Magazine, Türkiye
International Petfood was fortunate to visit Petiva, a leading brand dedicated to delivering highest quality products aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of pets, in December and understand its unique approach to petfood production.
Under the stewardship of company owner Halil Özkan, Petiva has secured a notable position within the petfood sector. Our visit and discussion with Halil Özkan shed light on Petiva’s prominent standing in the industry.
Spanning a closed area of 6,000 square meters on a 12,500-square-meter plot, the factory’s strategic proximity to Karasu Port offers logistical advantages, facilitating swift and efficient operations throughout production and distribution phases.
Employing modern manufacturing technologies such as high vacuum technology and automatic density control, Petiva ensures the production of top-quality pet food. This enables pet owners to readily select the most suitable nourishment for their cats and dogs. At the forefront of Petiva’s ambitions is the aspiration to establish itself as Turkey’s premier global brand and elevate national brands to international markets, thereby reducing reliance on foreign markets.
The detailed insights into the company’s endeavours underscore its steadfast commitment to the health and happiness of our pets. As stated by company owner Halil Özkan, Petiva remains dedicated to offering the pinnacle of care for our pets by harmonizing technology and expertise with a compassionate approach grounded in respect for nature and humanity.
Where quality and innovation meet for pet health
The well-being of our pets is an integral aspect that significantly impacts their lives. Keeping this in mind, the company remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure the highest quality nutrition for our beloved pets, conducting all processes within the ambit of the Quality and Food Management System.
Özkan articulated the significance of Quality Control and R&D endeavors, stating, “Our Quality and Food Management System encompasses all stages, from sourcing raw materials to delivering the final product to customers. We meticulously work to uphold superior product quality through our stringent quality control protocols and dedicated laboratories, encompassing pet food production, packaging, storage, and shipment.”
Petiva’s products are crafted with natural formulas devoid of artificial colorings and sweeteners. Noteworthy for their superior quality and nutritious properties, these offerings are tailored with specific formulations catering to diverse age groups. Enriched with a wealth of vitamins and minerals, these products not only contribute to overall pet health but also guarantee a quality, healthy life by amalgamating scientifically proven methods with expert knowledge.
Primary measures for pet health
The company shapes its quality policy with a customercentric approach, intending to evolve from product design and development to final delivery, aligning with customer requirements. Özkan emphasized the active involvement of employees through comprehensive in-house training and ongoing improvement initiatives, fortifying the effectiveness and efficiency of their quality management system.
Beyond a quality-centric approach, Petiva places considerable emphasis on its environmental responsibilities. It aims to judiciously utilise natural resources, curtail waste generation, and remain compliant with environmental regulations. Özkan highlighted, “To uphold food safety, precision forms the cornerstone of all our business activities. We meticulously oversee every facet of the food chain within the formula production process.”
The company bolsters its quality control and management through established systems, particularly in food production, while prioritizing food safety and sustainable pet health. Özkan emphasized, “To bolster the well-being of our customers’ pets, we offer products of exceptional quality and reliability, a testament to our stringent food safety and quality standards.”
Petiva continues to distinguish itself in the sector through its unwavering focus on quality control and management processes, aimed at supporting pets to lead healthy, highquality lives. The commitment to elevating quality standards and embracing a culture of continuous improvement underscores their dedication to enhancing the health of our pet companions.
Halil Özkan is proud about his high quality products and the machineries he uses for production. He gave the same attention at choosing the machineries and equipments. One of the suppliers are Wenger, a leading provider of cutting-edge processing Solutions. Wenger has unveiled a game-changing advancement in pet food production. Collaborating closely with Petiva, Wenger has delivered high-quality machinery, including a Single Screw Extruder equipped with a High Shear Conditioner (HSC), Back Pressure Valve (BPV), and top-notch Process Controls. Notably, the extruder, manufactured at Wenger’s operations in Brazil and branded as “Maverick,” showcases the pinnacle of Wenger’s design prowess.
This collaboration between Wenger and Petiva has transcended conventional industry standards. Their joint efforts have not only conquered challenges but also established a seamless production process.
Renowned for continuous innovation and global influence, Wenger’s ingenuity in plant-based proteins, pet foods, and aquatic feeds sets an unparalleled standard. Their solutions are recognized worldwide, solidifying Wenger’s position as one of the industry trailblazer, elevating pet food production to new heights of quality and innovation.
Another machinery supplier was Yemmak. The decision to opt for Yemmak’s machinery stemmed from their proven track record in processing and engineering solutions, aligning with Petiva’s quest for top-tier quality in pet food production.
Yemmak’s comprehensive involvement in Petiva’s project extended across machinery and equipment procurement, process design, project management, as well as installation and commissioning processes. Their turnkey solutions were tailored to facilitate the production of premium pet food, ensuring a streamlined and efficient operational setup for Petiva.
The array of process solutions offered by Yemmak encompassed stages such as raw material receiving, grinding, mixing, cooling, oil coating, cleaning, and extrusion lines. With a legacy spanning back to 1965, their global footprint extends to over 300 turnkey projects worldwide, solidifying their expertise in meeting diverse industry needs.
Quality control process
Özkan, the company’s owner and visionary, elaborates on the steps involved in the quality control process, stating, “The selection of raw materials holds paramount importance in producing top-tier pet food. We meticulously source certified raw materials meeting national and international standards from carefully vetted suppliers. Our laboratories conduct analyses in strict accordance with raw material specifications. The outcomes of these tests undergo rigorous scrutiny and approval, adhering strictly to our production and quality benchmarks. Only raw materials meeting these stringent standards are integrated into the production process.”
Apart from the careful selection of raw materials, Petiva implements stringent quality control measures throughout the production stages. Notably, analyses encompassing physical, chemical, and microbiological assessments play a pivotal role in evaluating product suitability for pet health. Özkan underscores this process, stating, “We execute an extensive array of controls throughout the production phase, spanning from chemical analyses to palatability, ease of digestibility, and microbiological properties. In addition to physical appraisals and microbiological criteria, crucial factors such as toxicological and mycotoxin evaluations are also considered.”
Petiva’s quality control process emphasizes precision and reliability in analyses. In particular, analyses utilising NIR (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) devices serve as critical tools in confirming the accuracy of obtained results.
Innovation in quality and scientific pet health approach
By amalgamating high-quality protein sources with natural vegetables, the company formulates recipes ensuring a guarantee of a healthy life for pets. Halil Özkan stressed the company’s dedication to pet health, stating, “A complete and balanced diet directly impacts the health of pets. Therefore, we tailor special nutritional programs, considering animal type, breed, age, and physiological conditions.”
“The texture and shape of the kibbles support feline dental health, while precise quantities of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are formulated to foster growth and development in kittens or expectant pets,” explained Özkan.
Petiva’s products are enriched with specialized ingredients fostering overall pet health. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, along with taurine and immune system-supporting components, contribute to pets leading a robust life. Özkan elaborated, “Our products contain fish oil, fruits, and specific vitamins infused with essential taurine, crucial for heart health support while fortifying pets’ immune systems.”
Petiva’s R&D vision hinges on perpetual innovation and creativity. “In developing our brands, our aim is to maintain transparent and reliable communication. Through fostering emotional connections with our employees, business partners, and pet owners, we diligently work toward the health of our beloved pets.”
The company’s facilities has a production capacity of five tonnes and are equipped with cutting-edge technological machinery from leading industry brands. “Designed for maximum automation through advanced process technology, our facility aims to mitigate health concerns by minimising human errors,” stated Halil Özkan.
The production process commences with the acquisition of carefully selected raw materials, sieved, filtered, and cleaned before being transferred to product silos. Computer-controlled systems determine pet food rations taken from these silos, preparing one-tonne batches in specialized mixers.
Özkan elucidated that during production, vital additives such as vitamins, minerals, and taurine are precisely incorporated using automatic pre-mixing systems. The homogenization and cooking stages are meticulously designed to cater to pets’ specific needs.
Shaped by special extrusion machines during the cooking stage and subjected to final checks, the products progress to the packaging stage. Given batch numbers to ensure traceability, the products are then prepared for shipment.
Petiva’s investments in technology and precision in its processes underscore its commitment to pet health and its pursuit of providing top-quality products. Guided by Halil Özkan, Petiva remains steadfast in elevating industry benchmarks and crafting products fostering a healthy life for pets.
This Feature was published in the January 2024 Edition of International Petfood Magazine.
