Lignosulfonates are among the most widely used pellet binders in compound feed. In the steam-conditioned mash they act as a binding aid. As the pellet cools and dries, the polymer forms bridges between particles, which raises pellet durability and reduces fines. Both the European Union and the United States regulate this use. This page summarises the regulatory position and the qualification steps that matter to a feed mill or premix buyer.
What EFSA concluded
The EFSA FEEDAP Panel assessed calcium, sodium and magnesium lignosulphonate together as one technological feed additive (functional group: binders). It described them as amorphous branched lignin polymers made of sulphonated, covalently linked phenylpropane monomers from sulphite pulping (EFSA Journal 2015; 13(7):4160, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4160).
| Question | EFSA conclusion (2015) |
|---|---|
| Target-animal safety | Safe for chickens for fattening, laying hens, pigs for fattening and cattle for fattening at up to 10,000 mg/kg complete feed. No margin of safety could be identified, so the conclusion was not extended to all species. |
| Efficacy | Effective as a pellet binder at a minimum of 7,500 mg/kg feed |
| Consumers | No concern from use in animal nutrition |
| Users / workers | Not a skin or eye irritant and not a skin sensitiser; dust inhalation is considered a hazard |
| Environment | The Panel could not conclude |
The Panel later assessed further data on safety for all animal species (EFSA Journal 2020; 18(2):e06000, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6000). Check the current EU authorisation for the species and conditions that apply to your market.
United States
21 CFR 573.600 permits lignin sulfonates (ammonium, calcium, magnesium or sodium salts) in animal feed. Liquid forms may contain up to 50% moisture and dry forms up to 6%. As a pelleting aid, the limit is 4% of finished pellets on a dry-weight basis. The section also covers flaking aids, a surfactant in molasses and a source of metabolizable energy, each with its own limit (eCFR).
Practical dosage window
In the EU the binding limits are set by Regulation (EU) 2024/749 (additive 1g565): a maximum of 10,000 mg/kg (1.0%) of complete feed for weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, chickens for fattening, laying hens and cattle for fattening, and 8,000 mg/kg (0.8%) for all other species. EFSA found the additive effective as a pellet binder from 7,500 mg/kg. Within those limits, set the actual inclusion rate with a pellet-durability trial in your own mill; lower rates may still be used commercially, but EFSA did not confirm their efficacy.
Qualifying a binder in the mill
- Use a feed-designated grade with feed documents, not an industrial grade.
- Run a controlled trial at constant conditioning temperature, die and throughput, against a no-binder control.
- Measure pellet durability index (PDI), fines, motor load and throughput.
- Correct for the moisture added by liquid binders and record the dose on a dry-matter basis.
- Control dust when handling powder grades.
Feed-grade supply
Feed-grade calcium, sodium and magnesium lignosulfonates, with their documents and dosing guidance, are handled by the group’s feed division: lignosulfonate in animal feed (LigninChina) and magnesium lignosulfonate feed additive. Contact info@greenagrochem.com for feed TDS, SDS and samples.
