DIGeFa

What DIGeFa does

DIGeFa (Detmolder Institut für Getreide- und Fettanalytik GmbH) is a privately held, accredited testing laboratory headquartered in Detmold, Germany, founded in 2003 by the non-profit Arbeitsgemeinschaft Getreideforschung e.V. (AGF). The company specializes exclusively in quality analysis of grain, flour, and related cereal products, performing standard-method testing (ICC and DIN ISO) for parameters including protein content, wet gluten, falling number, sedimentation value, and rheological properties (Amylogramm, Farinogramm, Extensogramm, Mixolab). Supporting services include a NIR-Ganzkorn-Netzwerk (whole-grain NIR calibration network operational since 1996 in partnership with Perten Instruments / PerkinElmer), proficiency testing programs (GMU, NIR-Enquete, GVU), reference sample sales with validated test reports, and training on food safety management systems delivered in collaboration with AGF.

DIGeFa holds ISO 17025:2018 accreditation from DAkkS (registration D-PL-14388-01-00), first granted in 2011 and continuously maintained. The business operates on a sales-led, direct B2B model: customers submit samples with a PDF analysis order form, receive quotes on request, and obtain test reports within 4–6 working days (or 24 hours for express analysis at a 100% surcharge). AGF members receive a 20% discount across all services. Revenue is generated through five streams: pay-as-you-go laboratory analysis, recurring ring trial subscriptions, recurring NIR network memberships, reference material sales, and training/seminars. Shipping is offered domestically, across the EU, and internationally.

The company is a niche specialist in a fragmented market, with a team of approximately 10 staff and a single Detmold facility. Its competitive position is anchored in DAkkS accreditation, deep domain specialization, the proprietary NIR calibration network, and the institutional backing of AGF. No venture capital, private equity, M&A, or public listing is indicated; DIGeFa remains a privately held GmbH under its founding non-profit.

Name

DIGeFa

Legal name

Detmolder Institut für Getreide- und Fettanalytik (DIGeFa) GmbH

Website

https://digefa.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Short description

DIGeFa is a German DAkkS-accredited testing laboratory in Detmold that provides quality analysis of grain, flour, and cereal products to the grain processing industry using ICC and DIN ISO standard methods, plus NIR calibration networks, ring trials, and reference samples.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Quality Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Laboratory Analysis Services (Wet Chemistry, Microbiology for Grains) (AFAOAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Proficiency Testing Programs & Schemes (Food PT Providers) (AFALAKAA), Matrix-Matched Standards & Spiking Materials (Food Contaminants/Residues) (AFALAKAI), Food Safety Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, Preventive Controls) (AFALAAAN), Rapid On-Site Testing Services (Portable/NIR Screening) (AFAOAMAH)

Keywords

• Accredited grain testing
• Flour quality analysis
• Cereal laboratory analytics
• NIR calibration network
• Proficiency testing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Detmold

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Analysis Services: DIGeFa conducts quality analyses of grain and flour samples for customers, providing test reports. Customers request individual quotes for specific analyses. Standard turnaround is 4-6 working days; express analysis (24 hours) is available at a 100% surcharge.
2. Reference Material Sales: DIGeFa sells comparison/reference samples (Vergleichsmuster) with validated test reports. Customers select matrix and parameters individually. Sold via PDF order form submitted to [email protected].
3. Ring Trial / Comparative Examination Programs: DIGeFa organizes comparative examination programs (Gemeinschaftsuntersuchung GMU for flour, NIR-Enquete for grain, Getreidevergleichsuntersuchung GVU) enabling laboratories to verify their analytical methods against DIGeFa's accredited results. Participants pay registration fees and receive evaluation reports and participation certificates.
4. NIR Network Membership: DIGeFa operates NIR-Ganzkorn-Netzwerke (IM 9100/9200 and IM 9500 networks) providing ongoing calibration verification and validation services for participants using Perten Instruments devices. Quarterly data evaluation reports and annual participation certificates are provided.
5. Training and Seminars: In collaboration with AGF e.V., DIGeFa offers annual conferences on food law for cereal, bakery, and milling technology products, as well as individual/custom training sessions on food safety and management systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DIGeFa provides accredited laboratory analysis of grain, flour, and baked-good quality parameters (protein, wet gluten, falling number, sedimentation value, rheology) under ICC and DIN ISO standard methods, complemented by ring-trial proficiency programs, reference material sales, NIR whole-grain calibration network membership, and food-safety training delivered jointly with AGF e.V. The lab delivers standard results within 4-6 working days, with express 24-hour service available at a 100% surcharge.

Product overview

DIGeFa (Detmolder Institut für Getreide- und Fettanalytik) is an accredited testing laboratory offering a unified portfolio of grain and flour quality analysis services. The core offering is laboratory analytics for wheat and rye flours using ICC and DIN ISO standard methods, covering parameters such as protein content, wet gluten, falling number, and rheological properties. Supporting services include proficiency testing programs (GMU for flour, NIR-Enquete and GVU for grain), reference sample sales, and NIR whole grain calibration networks using Perten Instruments devices. Training and consulting services in food safety management systems complement the portfolio. All services operate under ISO 17025:2018 accreditation (D-PL-14388-01-00).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Laboranalytik Mehl & Getreide (Laboratory Analytics for Flour and Grain) Accredited laboratory testing services for grain and flour quality parameters including moisture content, mineral content, raw protein content, wet gluten content, falling number, sedimentation value, and rheological methods (Amylogramm, Farinogramm, Extensogramm, Mixolab) performed according to ICC and DIN ISO standards, intended for grain processors, flour mills, and agricultural businesses.
• Vergleichsuntersuchungen (Proficiency Testing Programs) Interlaboratory comparison studies enabling grain processing companies to verify their laboratory results against DIGeFa's accredited results and other participants' anonymized results, supporting quality assurance requirements.
• Gemeinschaftsuntersuchung GMU (GMU Flour Community Study) Proficiency testing program for flour analytics covering wheat and rye flours, allowing regular verification of analysis methods across various quality parameters.
• NIR-Enquete (NIR Survey) Interlaboratory comparison for NIR/NIT whole grain devices, enabling verification of calibration accuracy for protein and oil content measurements in wheat, barley, and rapeseed.
• Getreidevergleichsuntersuchung GVU (Grain Comparison Study GVU) Proficiency testing program enabling verification of grain analytics using ICC methods by comparing analysis results with other laboratories.
• Vergleichsmuster (Reference Samples) Sale of reference materials with matrix and parameters selectable individually, including validated test reports from DIGeFa for method and equipment verification, sold via PDF order form submitted to [email protected] and shipped internationally.
• NIR-Ganzkorn-Netzwerke (NIR Whole Grain Networks) Network services for NIR/NIT whole grain measurement devices including calibration verification, bias adjustment, and certification, comprising the IM 9500 Network and IM 9100/9200 Network using Perten Instruments Inframatic devices with weekly/monthly reference sample measurements and quarterly evaluation reports.
• Schulungen (Training) Training and continuing education in quality management and food safety systems, offered in collaboration with AGF e.V., including annual conferences on food law for cereal products and bakery/milling technology, and individual/custom training sessions on food safety and management systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Test reports delivered within 4-6 working days after sample receipt
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Research Institutions and Grain Sector CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Since 2018, DIGeFa has increasingly conducted joint projects with research institutions and companies in the grain sector. Methods not covered by DIGeFa's own portfolio are carried out with qualified cooperation partners, including residue testing and nutritional value determinations / microbiology.
• DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle)coreOthers · 1 January 2011DIGeFa holds ISO 17025:2018 accreditation from DAkkS (registration D-PL-14388-01-00), first granted in 2011. The accreditation covers DIGeFa's testing methods for grain and flour quality parameters, providing independent verification of the lab's technical competence.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Getreideforschung e.V. (AGF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003AGF e.V. founded DIGeFa GmbH in 2003 as a new pathway to offer grain and flour testing services to its members and other companies in the grain sector. AGF and DIGeFa collaborate on annual conferences (food law for cereals, bakery, and milling technology) and practical seminars on laboratory methods, which are jointly offered 2x per year. AGF members receive a 20% discount on all DIGeFa services.
• Perten Instruments GmbH (PerkinElmer)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1996Since 1996, DIGeFa has operated its NIR-Ganzkorn-Netzwerk in partnership with Perten Instruments (Hamburg), now part of PerkinElmer. The network uses Inframatic 9100/9200 and Inframatic 9500 NIR devices with PInet software. DIGeFa's central server connects to participant devices for weekly/monthly data collection, calibration verification, and bias adjustment. New calibrations and updates are distributed to network participants via the central server.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Scientific: Global leader in food, feed, and environmental testing with extensive grain and cereal analytics capabilities through its agricultural services division. Comparable as a competitor for third-party grain testing contracts, but operates at vastly greater scale across all food categories rather than specializing in grain/flour.
• SGS Société Générale de Surveillance: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with significant agricultural and food testing operations including grain quality analysis. Directly comparable service offering but at a global, multi-vertical scale rather than a German grain/flour specialist.
• Intertek: Global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) provider with agricultural commodity and food testing services including grain inspection and quality verification. Comparable third-party testing service for the grain industry, but broader in scope and geographically diversified.
• Bureau Veritas: International TIC group with agricultural commodities and food testing capabilities, including grain inspection and quality testing for trade. Overlaps with DIGeFa's third-party grain testing value proposition but serves a far broader portfolio.
• Mérieux NutriSciences (Institut Mérieux): Major food testing and consulting services provider with European and global presence, serving food manufacturers including cereal/baking clients. Comparable as an accredited food testing competitor; broader in scope and less specialized in grain/flour than DIGeFa.
• ALS Global (Campbell Brothers): International testing services network with food and agricultural commodity testing capabilities including grain, feed, and oilseed analysis. Comparable accredited third-party testing competitor, especially for international grain trading and oilseed clients; broader and less specialized than DIGeFa.

Others

• AGF e.V. (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Getreideforschung): DIGeFa's parent non-profit association in Detmold, also active in grain research, training, and conferences. Not a direct competitor but the institutional partner whose membership, brand, and events feed DIGeFa's customer pipeline.
• Perten Instruments (PerkinElmer): Manufacturer of Inframatic NIR/NIT whole grain analyzers (IM 9100/9200/9500) and PInet network software, with whom DIGeFa has co-operated the NIR-Ganzkorn-Netzwerk since 1996. Functions as a technology partner and indirect route to market rather than a competitor, though it could in principle offer competing calibration services to its own device base.
• ICC (International Association for Cereal Science and Technology): Austria-based international standards body that develops the ICC standard methods DIGeFa uses for grain and flour analysis. An adjacent, enabling organization that shapes the methodological framework DIGeFa operates within and offers related proficiency testing schemes.

Emerging players

• Brabender GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of rheological and quality testing equipment (Farinograph, Extensograph, Amylograph) for the milling and baking industry, co-located in the grain/cereal ecosystem. Overlaps with DIGeFa on method standards and serves similar milling customers, but as an equipment vendor rather than a contract laboratory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/agfdt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digefa-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/agf.getreideforschung

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 DIGeFa