dsm-firmenich launches MaxiFicient™ Shield to help reduce stress and aggressive behavior in pigs across Europe, Middle East and Africa

Kaiseraugst, Switzerland, 10 November 2026 

dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health today announced the launch of MaxiFicient™ Shield, an innovative feed additive designed to help pigs better manage stressful situations and reduce aggressive behavior. MaxiFicient™ Shield supports calmer behavior while helping maintain productive performance. The solution will be introduced across selected markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the coming months.

The cost of stress

Stress is a persistent challenge in swine production, with consequences for both animal welfare and producer economics. Weaning, mixing, crowding and other stressors can increase aggression and damaging behaviors such as tail and ear biting. 

Research estimates that the economic consequences associated with tail-biting lesions can cost around €2 per finished pig, through impacts including reduced growth and feed efficiency, additional labor and treatment, and carcass losses. These costs can become significant across commercial production systems.

Shelby Curry, Head of Swine Marketing & Business Development at dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health stated, “Stress and aggressive behavior are more than welfare challenges. They can have a real impact on productivity and profitability. With MaxiFicient™ Shield, we are giving producers a new nutritional tool to help pigs better manage stressful situations, supporting calmer behavior and more resilient production.”

Proven results

Studies with MaxiFicient™ Shield have shown lower stress indicators and less damaging behavior, including an approximately 15% reduction in tail biting in one evaluation and around 24% lower salivary cortisol following a social stress challenge in another. 

Availability may vary by market. Customers and producers are encouraged to contact their local dsm-firmenich representative for information about availability in their country.

About dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health:

In 2024, dsm-firmenich shared its plan to find a new owner for the Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) business, including vitamins. ANH, a dsm-firmenich company, is a global leader in animal nutrition and health, as well as vitamins, carotenoids, and aroma ingredients. ANH is an innovation leader and increased its sales to €3.3 billion with a team of more than 7,800 people, driven by its strong purpose: feeding the planet without costing the earth. Together, we make it possible. www.dsm-firmenich.com/ANH

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to dsm-firmenich's future performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of dsm-firmenich and information currently available to the company. dsm-firmenich cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. dsm-firmenich has no obligation[RH2.1] to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law.