Sano

What Sano does

Sano - Moderne Tierernährung GmbH is a privately held, family-owned Bavarian animal nutrition company founded in 1977 in Grafenwald, Germany, and operating under co-CEOs Richard Waldinger and Dagmar Waldinger. The company manufactures and distributes mineral feeds, calf milk replacers, premixes, concentrates, functional supplements, silage additives, and specialty livestock health products across five species segments — cattle (dairy and beef), swine, poultry (broilers and layers), sheep/goats — and complementary partner products such as Kraiburg rubber mats. Its underlying technology centres on a portfolio of patented active-ingredient complexes (RumenSAN, Fertisan, Kerasan, Mastitisan, AromiMilch, AromiSchwein, SanAmin, StabiloSan, InPulSan, ButySanProtect, SangroSan, OrganiSan) and an in-house laboratory in Croatia performing CNCPS-based feed analysis, supported by Sano Agrar Institutes in Hungary that double as R&D and demonstration farms for dairy and swine production.

Sano monetises through the sale of physical feed and supplement products (one-time transactions of high-quality mineral feed, milk replacer, premix, and concentrate SKUs) and through personalised advisory services delivered by regional Animal Nutrition Advisors who perform ration calculations, farm analysis, and tailored feeding-concept design — pricing is not publicly disclosed and quotes are provided per-customer via the advisor network. The company sells directly through field advisors in each country (e.g., named advisors covering KZN, Gauteng, Free State, and Pretoria in South Africa) and operates an international distribution presence in 35+ countries including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, China, Chile, and South Africa. Customer segments are horizontal livestock producers across species, with cattle and swine as primary segments.

Sano is operationally active, continues to invest in expanding its Hungarian competence centres (dairy barns, milking centres, silos, and silage facilities commissioned between 2020 and 2024), and has scaled its Sano Agrar Institute for Pigs from groundbreaking in 2020 to commercial operation marketing 700+ quality piglets per week by 2024. The group owns wholly-owned operating subsidiaries including Solum AG (Hungarian dairy/potato/crop operations) and Sano Agrar Institut-Smart PorcNutrition Kft. (Hungarian swine institute), and has registered trademarks and patents across its proprietary active-ingredient portfolio.

Name

Sano

Legal name

Sano - Moderne Tierernährung GmbH

Website

https://sano.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sano is a German, family-owned animal nutrition manufacturer founded in 1977 that produces mineral feeds, milk replacers, premixes, and functional supplements for cattle, swine, poultry, and sheep/goat farmers across more than 35 countries, supported by a regional Animal Nutrition Advisor network and proprietary patented active-ingredient complexes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Nutrition and Livestock Feed

NAICS

Animal Food Manufacturing (3111)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Mineral & Salt Products for Ruminants (Free-Choice Minerals, Salt Blocks) (AFADAAAF), Calf & Starter Feed (Milk Replacers, Creep Feed) (AFADAAAA), Medicated & Functional Ruminant Feed (Ionophores, Buffers, Yeast/Probiotics, Mycotoxin Binders) (AFADAAAL), Performance & Health Outcome Consulting (growth, FCR, milk yield, gut health) (AFADAMAG)

Keywords

• Animal feed supplements
• Mineral feed manufacturing
• Calf milk replacers
• Livestock nutrition advisory
• Premix concentrates

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Animal Feed Products: Sale of high-quality mineral feeds, calf milk replacers, feed supplements, premixes, concentrates, functional supplements and silage additives for farm animals including cattle, swine, poultry, and sheep/goats
2. Expert Advisory Services: Personalized, holistic advisory services including ration calculations, farm analysis, and feeding concept consultations provided by regional nutrition advisors

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Sano manufactures and sells high-quality animal nutrition products including mineral feeds, calf milk replacers, feed supplements, premixes, concentrates, functional supplements, and silage additives for cattle, swine, poultry, and sheep/goats. The company complements these products with hybrid advisory services delivered by regional Animal Nutrition Advisors who provide personalized on-site support, ration calculations, and farm analysis. Its offerings are differentiated by patented proprietary active ingredient complexes such as RumenSAN®, Fertisan®, Kerasan®, Mastitisan®, AromiMilch®, and AromiSchwein®, supported by the SmartAnimalNutrition digital advisory platform and in-house CNCPS feed analysis laboratory.

Product overview

Sano is a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality animal nutrition products and advisory services for farm animals. The company offers mineral feeds, calf milk replacers, feed supplements, specialty products, and silage additives across five animal categories: cattle (dairy and beef), swine, poultry (broilers and layers), sheep/goats, and companion animals. Key product lines include the SanAmmat piglet milk series, BoviFit and Mipro cattle mineral complexes, Sauengold sow mineral feeds, and Aminogold/Ferkelgold finishing products. The portfolio also includes calf health products (Milli M, Sanolac, Cotosan Plus, Antilaxan) and poultry premixes. Sano provides digital advisory concepts (SmartDairyNutrition, SmartPorcNutrition) supported by proprietary active ingredient complexes (RumenSAN, Fertisan, Kerasan, Mastitisan, AromiSchwein, AromiMilch, InPulSan, SanAmin). The company operates two Agricultural R&D Institutes in Hungary and an in-house laboratory in Croatia for feed analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartAnimalNutrition: Digital advisory and inventory management system for cattle and pig farming operations.
• SmartDairyNutrition (SDN)
• SmartPorcNutrition (SPN)
• Sano Agrar Institute

Products and services

• SanAmmat F® Universal piglet milk for piglet rearing, suitable for technical foster sows and bowl supplementation of suckling piglets during the nursing phase. Contains highly digestible components, lactic acid bacteria, and glutamine for optimal gut health.
• BoviFit® SC Fitness drink for dairy cows administered after calving. Contains dextrose, lactose, electrolytes, rumen-stimulating live yeasts, dried brewer's yeast, and processed linseed to balance energy deficit and support rapid recovery.
• Sauengold® Lac Mineral feed for lactating sows containing AromiSchwein for sustained appetite, balanced amino acids (lysine, methionine/cystine, threonine), biotin, zinc, and Fertisan Sauen for fertility promotion.
• Stimudigest® Feed supplement for cattle providing rumen stimulation and metabolic activation. Contains linseed, brewer's yeast, sodium and calcium propionate, rumen-protected methionine, live yeasts, and B-complex vitamins.
• Sauengold® Trag Mineral feed for pregnant sows and gilts with AromiSchwein, highly available minerals, phytase, and Fertisan Sauen for fertility and optimal resilience.
• Aminogold® Forte Professional mineral feed for fattening pigs (8-2-2) containing SanAmin with essential amino acids, NSP-degrading enzymes, organically bound trace elements, and high levels of vitamin E and selenium.
• Antilaxan® Calf diarrhoea treatment to be added to calf milk. Contains banana and carrot powder, lignocellulose, carob meal, natural egg immunoglobulins, organic acids, probiotics, and vitamins E and C.
• Suggi® 10% mineral for weaner starter feed for piglets containing tasty milk components, waffle meal, essential amino acids, and highly available minerals for piglet growth.
• Ferkelgold Forte® Mineral feed for piglets with four amino acids (lysine, methionine/cystine, threonine, tryptophan), OrganiSan organically bound trace elements, and phytase for growth.
• Milli M® Calf milk with 20% skimmed milk powder containing InPulSan for gut health, probiotics, lactose, and AromiMilch for palatability. Suitable for automatic feeders.
• Cotosan Plus® Colostrum enhancer/supplement for healthy calves containing immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgM, IgA) from first milking colostrum, vitamins, grape sugar, and probiotics.
• Mipro® Close Up 700 Complete mineral feed with functional ingredients for rumen conditioning, milk fever prevention, and support of liver and immune function in dry cow TMR. Contains Kerasan and Mastitisan active ingredients.
• Sanolac LilaCitro® Acidified calf milk with combination of acids for improved hygiene during feeding and support of milk digestion in the abomasum.
• Latteccino® Whole milk enhancer for healthy calves containing dried brewer's yeast, flaxseed, InPulSan, lactose, and AromiMilch for rumen activity stimulation.
• Mipro Pren® 250 Complete mineral feed for milk fever prevention in dry cow TMR containing acidifying sulphur as potassium antagonist, Kerasan for hooves, and Mastitisan for udders.
• Sanolac® Lamb Milk replacer for sheep and goat lambs with 1:1 fat-to-protein ratio, highly digestible whey protein, lactose, and AromiMilk for optimal lamb development.
• SanAmmat Puddino® Porridge for suckling piglets combining SanAmmat F piglet milk and Bonni-M Forte prestarter with hydrolyzed blood cells, galacto-oligosaccharides, and probiotics.
• Broiler Premium Premix for broiler chickens of all stages containing high levels of Vitamins A, D3, and E, full spectrum Vitamin B, balanced amino acids, macro and micro minerals, and high FTU phytase and NSP enzymes.
• Layer Pro 1.25% Premix for layer chickens of all stages with high levels of macro and micro minerals to support skeletal strength and enzyme activity.
• Layer Pro 2.5% Premix for layer chickens with 2.5% inclusion rate per ton of final layer feed.
• Ovisan Copper-free mineral feed for sheep containing vitamins, trace elements, magnesium, Vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and manganese for metabolism and fertility.
• Meggi Müsli® Calf starter for optimal ruminant development containing softened grains, citrus pulp, maize flakes, dehulled soya bean meal, vitamins, and molasses.
• Sanolyte® Electrolyte mix for treatment of dehydrated calves affected by diarrhoea containing electrolytes, sodium bicarbonate, glucose, salts, sugars, and minerals.
• Mipro Beef Cows Micro Premix for cattle in extensive environments with high levels of micro minerals to support healthy cell and enzyme function and strong hooves.
• Mipro Beef Feedlot 50 Premix for cattle in feedlots containing high levels of Vitamins A, D3, and E to support the immune system.
• Mipro Beef Feedlot 250 Premix for cattle in feedlots with high levels of micro and macro minerals, additives to improve energy availability, and NPN for protein and fibre digestion.
• Sano Refresh Formulated to relieve stress, pain and fever. Contains mix of yeast, sugars, salts, minerals and medication to help kickstart rumen function affected by disease/fever.
• Smart Animal Nutrition Digital advisory and inventory management system used at Sano Agricultural R&D Centers for monitoring and controlling all relevant parameters in modern animal production.
• SmartDairyNutrition Digital herd management concept for precise control of all relevant parameters in modern dairy production.
• SmartPorc Nutrition Digital herd management concept for precise control of all relevant parameters in modern pig production.
• Sano Laboratory Services Own laboratory in Croatia providing forage analysis using CNCPS (Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System) for precise analysis of basic feed.
• Sano Agrar Institute for Cattle Hungarian Solum AG facility with 2,600 dairy cows and 3,000 calves/heifers across two sites (Csém and Komárom), serving as a global competence centre for modern dairy production.
• Sano Agrar Institute for Pigs Hungarian facility in Szákszend with 1,200 breeding sow spaces including piglet rearing, and 1,800 fattening pens, featuring 'glass barn' visitor centre.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kerasan® increases daily dry matter intake by about 1 kg, leading to 2 litres more milk and/or higher milk components (fat and protein)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature13 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KraiburgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSano offers Kraiburg rubber mats as part of their product portfolio, providing products for livestock housing in cooperation with Kraiburg. This is a complementary product partnership for complete farm solutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alltech: Privately held global animal nutrition company focused on premixes, functional feed additives, yeast-based products, and on-farm support programs — closely comparable business model and product positioning to Sano.
• Kemin Industries: Specialty ingredient manufacturer producing feed additives, antioxidants, organic acids, and gut-health solutions for livestock; directly comparable to Sano's functional ingredient complex strategy.
• Biochem (Bayer Animal Health / private peers): European premix and feed additive manufacturer serving livestock producers with mineral feeds, premixes, and functional additives; closely comparable mid-sized competitor to Sano in European and international markets.
• Lallemand Animal Nutrition: Specialty yeast, probiotic, and microbial-based feed additive supplier for ruminants, swine, and poultry; comparable niche to Sano's InPulSan, StabiloSan and similar functional complexes.

Others

• Evonik Animal Nutrition: Supplier of essential amino acids (methionine, lysine, threonine) and specialty feed additives for livestock production; overlaps with Sano's SanAmin amino-acid and functional additive offerings.
• Phibro Animal Health: Animal health and nutrition company producing medicated feed additives, nutritional specialty products, and vaccines; comparable in livestock nutrition and feed-additive positioning to Sano.
• Cargill Animal Nutrition: Global animal nutrition and premix player serving livestock producers across all major species with vastly larger scale, broader geographic reach, and integrated supply chains — directly comparable to Sano's premix/mineral feed business.
• Nutreco (SHV Holdings / Trouw Nutrition): Animal nutrition major producing premixes, specialty feeds, and feed additives under Trouw Nutrition brand; directly comparable species coverage (ruminants, swine, poultry) and global footprint.
• dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health: Global leader in animal nutrition including vitamins, premixes, eubiotics, and feed additives; comparable to Sano through its functional feed additive portfolio (organic acids, enzymes, probiotics) and premix solutions.
• ADM Animal Nutrition (ADM): Multinational feed manufacturer producing premixes, concentrates, and complete feeds for cattle, swine, and poultry; competes with Sano in farm-level nutrition and benefits from integrated commodity sourcing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sano---modern-animal-nutrition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Sano