Phileo

What Phileo does

Phileo is the UK and Ireland animal nutrition division of Lesaffre, a French family-owned fermentation multinational founded in 1872. Operating from Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland under the legal entity Phileo UK & Ireland, the business develops and sells proprietary yeast- and bacteria-based feed additives for livestock, including dairy cattle, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry, equines, and companion animals. Its core technology applies microbial science to specific proprietary strains, including patented Bacillus spores with Germination Optimization (GO) Technology and a patented sulphation process for animal-free chondroitin sulphate, designed to influence the gut microbiome, stabilise rumen pH, support immune function, and reduce pathogen pressure.

The product portfolio centres on live yeast probiotics (Actisaf Sc 47, Sc 48, Sc 50 PET), premium yeast fractions (Safmannan, Prosaf, Nutrisaf, Safglucan), mycotoxin adsorption (Safwall), organic selenium (Selsaf and Selsaf 3000), Bacillus probiotics (Microsaf), and joint-health actives (Safchondro for equines and pets). Actisaf is independently verified under ISO 14040/44 to reduce CO2e per kg milk by 5% and is reported to deliver 8:1 ROI at approximately £15 per cow per year. The Digescan tool adds a farm-level fibre digestion measurement service combining a faecal sieve with a phone app.

The business operates a B2B distribution model through UK and Ireland channel partners, including feed manufacturers (HJ Lea Oakes, Carrs Billington, Fane Valley Feeds, W.E. Jameson), co-operatives (Drinagh Co-op), premix suppliers, and agricultural nutritionists, with an 8-person direct technical sales team providing on-farm support. Revenue is generated from volume-based product sales priced per tonne of feed or per animal per day, with products embedded in partner-branded feed lines. Phileo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lesaffre and does not publicly disclose standalone financials.

Name

Phileo

Legal name

Phileo UK & Ireland

Website

https://yeastsolutions.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1853

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Phileo is the UK and Ireland animal nutrition division of Lesaffre, selling proprietary yeast- and bacteria-based feed additives, probiotics, and postbiotics through feed manufacturer and premix channel partners to dairy, beef, sheep, pig, poultry, equine, and companion animal producers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Feed Additives

NAICS

Animal Food Manufacturing (3111), Other Animal Food Manufacturing (311119), Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42491)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Livestock & Poultry Nutrition (Feed & Premixes) (HLAMAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mycotoxin Binders & Detoxifiers (Clays, Yeast Cell Wall) (AFADALAH), Additive & Premix Integration Services (enzymes, probiotics, minerals/vitamins, medication where permitted) (AFADAMAF)

Keywords

• Animal feed additives
• Yeast probiotic supplements
• Livestock gut health
• Microbiome animal nutrition
• Ruminant feed solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Shannon

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Feed Additive Products: Sale of proprietary yeast and bacterial-based feed additives including Actisaf, Safmannan, Selsaf, Safwall, Nutrisaf, Prosaf, Safglucan, Microsaf, and Safchondro. Products are sold directly to feed manufacturers, premix companies, and through channel partners to livestock farmers. Revenue generated from product volume sales with pricing based on inclusion rates per tonne of feed or per animal per day.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Phileo develops, manufactures, and sells proprietary yeast- and bacteria-based feed additives, prebiotics, postbiotics, and mycotoxin binders for livestock nutrition. Its products are formulated to improve feed conversion efficiency, gut integrity, immune function, and rumen health across dairy, beef, sheep, pig, poultry, equine, and companion animal systems. The company operates primarily through feed manufacturers, premix suppliers, and agricultural nutritionists across the UK and Ireland, supported by a small in-house technical sales team.

Product overview

Phileo by Lesaffre is a provider of yeast-based feed additives and animal nutrition solutions, not a unified software platform but a portfolio of complementary products. The core offerings include live yeast probiotics (Actisaf® Sc 47, Actisaf® Sc 48, Actisaf® Sc 50 PET), premium yeast fractions (Safmannan®, Prosaf®, Nutrisaf®, Safglucan®), mycotoxin adsorption solutions (Safwall®), selenium supplements (Selsaf®/Selsaf® 3000), and Bacillus-based probiotics (Microsaf®). Additional products include nucleotide supplements (Nucleosaf®, Procreatin 7) and joint health solutions (Safchondro® variants for equines and pets). Supporting these, Phileo offers Digescan™, a farm-level feed efficiency monitoring tool combining physical sieving components with data analytics software. The portfolio serves multiple species including dairy cattle, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry, horses, and companion animals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Actisaf Sc 47 Live yeast probiotic that improves feed conversion efficiency and reduces the risk of digestive upset and metabolic issues in livestock by supporting beneficial microbes in the rumen and hindgut; used by feed manufacturers, premix suppliers, and directly by farmers across dairy, beef, sheep, pig, and other species.
• Safmannan Premium yeast fraction rich in mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and β-glucans designed to strengthen gut integrity, support the immune system, and reduce pathogen pressure in livestock; intended for feed manufacturers, premix suppliers, and pig and poultry producers seeking antibiotic reduction and improved gut integrity.
• Selsaf Natural source of organic, bioavailable selenium supplied to feed manufacturers and premix houses as a selenium-enriched feed ingredient for livestock nutrition.
• Safwall Selected yeast fraction for mycotoxin adsorption, used to bind and reduce the impact of mycotoxins in livestock feed for feed manufacturers, premix suppliers, and livestock producers.
• Nutrisaf Premium yeast fraction rich in amino acids for use in livestock feed formulations by feed manufacturers and premix suppliers seeking protein and amino acid contributions from a yeast-derived source.
• Prosaf Premium yeast extract prebiotic that supports gut microflora development and animal performance in livestock; sold to feed manufacturers and premix suppliers for incorporation into commercial feeds.
• Safglucan Postbiotic containing β-glucans that supports immune function in livestock; sold to feed manufacturers and premix suppliers for use in commercial feed formulations targeting improved resilience.
• Microsaf Bacillus bacterial probiotic range with patented GO Technology for faster germination, supporting pathogen inhibition and optimum digestion in poultry and other livestock; sold to feed manufacturers and premix suppliers.
• Safchondro Animal-free source of chondroitin sulphate developed through precision fermentation, used as an active ingredient in equine and companion animal joint-health products; targeted at nutraceutical brands and feed supplement manufacturers.
• Digescan Tool for measuring fibre digestion on farm consisting of a faecal sieve to separate fibre particles and a companion phone app for managing and analysing feed efficiency data over time; supplied to farmers and feeding businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5% reduction in CO2e per kg milk (Life Cycle Assessment verified, ISO 14040/44)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blonk ConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch international agri-food LCA specialists who performed the full life cycle assessment of Actisaf Sc 47. The LCA was independently and critically reviewed by industry experts following ISO 14040/44 standards, confirming a 5% reduction in CO2e per kg milk.
• Bibby AgriculturecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgricultural consultancy recommending and distributing Phileo products including Actisaf and Safmannan. Provides technical nutrition support and formulation advice for customers including Simon Davies herd.
• HJ Lea OakescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed company incorporating Actisaf into branded feeds including ActiGraze, ButterMax, Buttergold, Supersaf, Premier 18, and transition formulations. Provides technical nutrition support across multiple farm types.
• W.E. JamesoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed supplier providing compound feeds and creep feeds containing Actisaf to beef and sheep farmers including James Stainthorpe and Norbreck Genetics.
• Fane Valley FeedscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed manufacturer supplying compound feeds including Actisaf to dairy and pig farmers in Northern Ireland. Conducted trials on Actisaf dose rates including 10g per cow per day trial with James Moore.
• Carrs BillingtoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed company providing feeds containing Actisaf and other Phileo products to dairy, beef, and sheep farmers. Products include ButterMax, Taurus Beef Mix, Champion Bull Mix, and EarlyBite Lamb Pellet.
• Centenary Feed & Grain LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed supplier providing Maxisaf Ewe and Lamb Cubes containing Actisaf and Safmannan to sheep farmers including Robert Power and John Large.
• Drinagh Co-opcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgricultural cooperative in County Cork supplying compound feeds to dairy farmers including Adrian ODriscoll.
• Kite ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAgricultural consultancy whose nutritionist Ros Hughes recommended Supersaf (containing Actisaf) to help combat acidosis problems on dairy farms.
• HutchinsonsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgricultural merchant providing compound feed containing Actisaf to dairy farmers including the Greenaway brothers.
• SEMEX UKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCattle genetics company marketing Norbreck Genetics bull semen to dairy farmers. Partner Philip Halhead uses feeds containing Actisaf for his bull and heifer rearing program.
• LesaffrecoreOthersParent company - global leader in fermentation and yeast since 1872. Provides world-class research and development resources, strict quality control, and global brand credibility. Phileo operates as Phileo by Lesaffre.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Volac International: Volac is a UK and Ireland-based animal nutrition company focused on young animal nutrition, ruminant feed ingredients, and feed additives. It is a regional peer that competes for the same UK/Ireland feed manufacturer and farmer relationships, particularly in youngstock and dairy nutrition.
• AB Vista: AB Vista is a UK-based animal nutrition company specializing in feed enzymes, phytogenics, and gut-health additives, serving feed manufacturers and premix companies. It is a direct regional peer to Phileo in the UK/Ireland feed additive market, targeting the same compounders and nutritionists with overlapping microbiome and digestive performance claims.

Broad incumbents

• ADM Animal Nutrition: ADM Animal Nutrition is a global feed manufacturer and additive supplier offering premixes, concentrates, and feed ingredients including direct-fed microbials. As a vertically integrated broad incumbent, it competes with Phileo both as a customer (via its premix business) and as an additive supplier.
• Cargill Animal Nutrition: Cargill's animal nutrition business provides compound feed, premixes, and a range of feed additives globally. It competes with Phileo both through its own additive portfolio and through its relationships with the same compound feed and premix channel partners across Europe.
• IFF (formerly DuPont Danisco) Animal Nutrition: IFF's Animal Nutrition division (Danisco, Axtra, Enviva, Syncra) supplies enzymes, probiotics, and gut-health solutions to feed manufacturers globally. It overlaps with Phileo on microbial additives but operates across a much wider enzyme and nutritional portfolio serving compound feed and premix customers.
• Biomin (part of DSM-firmenich): Biomin, now part of dsm-firmenich, is a global leader in mycotoxin deactivation, gut health, and digestive performance additives (Mycofix, Digestarom, PoultryStar). It is a meaningful direct competitor to Phileo in mycotoxin binders and phytogenics for livestock.

Direct peers

• Lallemand Animal Nutrition: Lallemand is a global leader in yeast and bacteria-based probiotics (Levucell, Alkosel, Agrimos, Bactocell) for ruminants, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor to Phileo's Actisaf, Safmannan, and Microsaf product lines and operates in the same species and channel structure.
• Alltech: Alltech is a global animal nutrition company with a broad portfolio of yeast-based and functional feed additives (Yea-Sacc, Bio-Mos, Sel-Plex, Bioplex). It is one of Phileo's main global competitors in the live yeast, MOS, and organic trace mineral categories across ruminants, pigs, and poultry.
• Chr. Hansen (Novonesis) Animal Health & Nutrition: Chr. Hansen (now part of Novonesis after the 2024 merger with Novozymes) is a leading supplier of microbial and probiotic feed additives such as BioPlus, GalliPro, and Cylactin. It competes directly with Phileo in yeast and bacterial probiotics across dairy, beef, pig, and poultry segments.
• Kemin Industries: Kemin supplies specialty feed additives for gut health, immunity, and mycotoxin management (e.g., ButiPEARL, Kemin BetaGlucans, Toxfin) across ruminants, poultry, and swine. It is a close adjacent competitor to Phileo in functional feed ingredients, particularly in mycotoxin binding and immune-support categories where Safwall and Safglucan compete.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phileo