FiberBalance: From AVANT Innovation to Market-Ready Trademark
Schothorst Feed Research (SFR) has developed and published a trademark application FiberBalance as a key outcome of the AVANT project. The outcome is the dietary formulation to support sow health and reduce antibiotic use in pig farming. Within AVANT, SFR developed fiber-optimised diets versus control diets. The type and level of fibre were adjusted in relation to the pigs’ physiological stage and fermentation capacity to influence the gut bacteria and improve the gut health of weaned pigs. Diets enriched with SBP (for sow) & ALF (for piglets) were tested versus common fibre sources like wheat, barley and oats.
The FiberBalance formulation, developed and validated through AVANT and now at TRL 7, will be integrated into SFR’s commercial services for feed manufacturers, integrators, and progressive pig farmers. The trademark supports the rollout of this nutritional solution across Europe, strengthening its visibility and ensuring exclusive brand use for both products and services linked to the formulation.
The trademark application covers four Nice Classification classes:
- Class 5: Veterinary preparations and feed supplements
- Class 31: Animal feed and fodder
- Class 42: Scientific and technological services
- Class 44: Veterinary and agricultural consultancy
FiberBalance for feed manufacturers and pig farmers
Importantly, the FiberBalance brand identity incorporates design elements from the AVANT visual identity, including its colour palette and font style. This creates a clear link between the product and the EU-funded research project from which it emerged emphasising that FiberBalance is not just a commercial product, but a science-based dietary strategy rooted in responsible innovation.
This trademark marks an important step in the exploitation of AVANT results, ensuring the formulation’s legacy continues through real-world impact. It also opens the door to future developments, such as a certification scheme for farms applying the FiberBalance dietary approach, aligned with AVANT’s mission to promote sustainable pig farming and reduce antibiotic use.
