1960's: The Early Years: Van Dijck & Cie
Orffa's journey began in the 1960s with the establishment of Van Dijck & Cie by the Brussels-based Van Dijck family. Based in Wolvertem, Belgium, Van Dijck initially focused on selling and distributing primarily veterinary pharmaceuticals and additives for the burgeoning animal feed and production industry.
1979: Acquisition and Transformation
In 1979, the company underwent a significant transformation with its acquisition by Omer Lippens. Omer, a seasoned agricultural engineer with experience in animal feed production, brought a new vision to the company.
Just a year later, in 1980, the company rebranded to Orffa (Organic Feed & Food Additives) and relocated to Londerzeel, Belgium. Under Omer's leadership, Orffa rapidly expanded its operations and established partnerships with leading producers of animal feed additives, including Ajinomoto, Daiichi, Takeda, and Sumitomo.
Growth and Expansion
Omer's strategic approach led Orffa into a network of specialized companies, including Orfam in the Netherlands, Galenica in Denmark, and AP International and IDAC in Belgium. This expansion extended Orffa’s reach beyond animal nutrition, allowing the company to diversify into the human food and veterinary pharmaceutical sectors, enhancing both its product range and market influence.
Global Expansion and Acquisitions
In 1989, the European arm of the Orffa Group was acquired by the Dutch company Schouten, leading to further growth and expansion in Northwest Europe. Orffa continued to thrive under Schouten's ownership until 2006.
2006: Strategic Shift and Global Expansion
After the management buyout (MBO) led by Eddy Ketels in 2006, Orffa sharpened its focus solely on the animal feed industry. Backed initially by Rabobank Participaties and later ING, Orffa launched a strategic global expansion, establishing operations across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
2010: Innovation-Driven and Growth
Orffa’s success is deeply rooted in its unwavering commitment to innovation and advanced product development, building a diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art feed additives that solidify its role as a global leader in animal nutrition.
Aligned with this vision, Orffa launched the Excentials division in 2010 to deliver highly specialized, science-driven feed additives designed to meet specific nutritional and health needs in animal production. Focused on unique, data-backed solutions, Excentials enhances animal performance and promotes sustainability, addressing the dynamic challenges of the global feed industry.
2015: Excentials: A Catalyst for Orffa’s Growth
The success of Orffa’s Excentials division became the foundation for the company’s broader evolution. Initially launched as a separate division, Excentials proved so impactful that Orffa integrated it as a core brand line, standing alongside Top Select—a quality seal for premium distribution brands—and Elovitals, Orffa’s essential feed additive line. Driven by a commitment to advancing science-based feed additive solutions, Orffa positioned itself in 2015 as the company that could "engineer your feed solutions," solidifying its role as a leading innovator in the animal nutrition industry.
2017: Acquisition by Marubeni
In 2017, Orffa entered a new phase with its acquisition by Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, gaining additional resources and opening new avenues for accelerated growth and expansion within the global market.
2024: Strengthening Focus on Specialization
Orffa’s track record of pioneering specialized feed additives underscores its commitment to leading innovation in animal nutrition. Through its science-driven R&D approach, Orffa has introduced transformative solutions that set new standards in Feed Efficiency, Gut Health & Immunity, and Mineral Nutrition. In 2024, leveraging this strong foundation, Orffa committed to deepening its focus on scientifically validated solutions and services designed to address the complex and evolving demands of livestock farming.
