Horwath Biotechnology: Safeguarding Food Safety with Technology

Early in the morning of April 2, trucks loaded with wild Wild Pueraria Root, Terminalia chebula, Picrasma quassioides, and other Chinese medicinal herbs drove one after another into Guishan Road, Xianning High-tech Zone. Inside the factory of Hubei Horwath Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Horwath Bio"), the intelligent production lines were running at full capacity, with the sound of machinery rising and falling.

On Horwath Bio's high-end intelligent production line, microcapsule preparations, each only 500 nanometers in size and observable only under a 1,000x microscope, were being produced in an orderly manner. This water-dispersible, high-temperature-resistant microencapsulation technology, which took five years to develop, creates a sturdy "protective barrier" for plant essential oils, completely solving the common industry problems of high-temperature processing reducing essential oil content and essential oils being insoluble in water. It has opened a new green and healthy development path for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, including pigs, chickens, and fish.

Unwavering Original Aspiration – Safeguarding Food Safety

"Ensuring that the public can eat safe meat, eggs, and milk is the original aspiration and commitment of our team," said Hu Qunbing, General Manager of Horwath Bio.

A graduate of Wuhan Polytechnic University in Animal Nutrition and of Zhejiang University and the National University of Singapore in Business Administration, Hu Qunbing witnessed the frequent food safety issues in China in 2010 and resolutely decided to devote himself to the research and development of green feed additives, aiming to solve the industry pain point of antibiotic overuse in livestock farming through technological means.

In 2013, leveraging the favorable investment policies of Xianning High-tech Zone, Hu led his team to settle in Xianning and build a core base for green farming solutions.

At the start of the venture, Hu sought inspiration from the treasure trove of traditional Chinese medicine. He partnered with expert teams from Wuhan Polytechnic University to vigorously promote the industrialization of scientific research results, focusing on the development of antibiotic-alternative green feed additives.

The company covers an area of over 40,000 square meters and includes a 5,000-square-meter R&D center. It has built a complete "R&D–Production–Service" industry chain, equipped with multiple advanced production lines for esterification synthesis, extraction of active ingredients from natural plants, biological fermentation, microencapsulation coating, and blending. Core products include Tributyrin, Monolaurin, plant extracts, and plant essential oils, which are widely used in feed, food, and other industries, serving major global feed and food groups. The company's products are exported to more than 50 countries worldwide.

"Traditional farming relies too heavily on antibiotics to promote growth and prevent diseases, but their residues directly harm human health. Our core goal is to replace antibiotics with natural plant extracts," Hu said.

As a national high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, and services for green feed and food additives, the company selects wild Chinese herbs from the Qinba Mountains as raw materials to extract highly effective active ingredients. It has developed flagship products such as Su Neng, You Kang Bao, Bi Tian, and Jin You Kang, which not only effectively regulate animal intestinal health and support growth but also significantly enhance animal immunity, building a strong food safety defense line for livestock and poultry products at the source.

Innovation as the Wing – Deepening Technology R&D

Innovation is the core driving force behind Horwath Bio's steady growth. The company invests nearly 10% of its annual sales revenue into technology R&D and talent development, building a highly educated professional R&D team. Leveraging platforms such as a Model Academician Workstation and Hubei Provincial Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, and deepening industry-university-research cooperation with Wuhan Polytechnic University, the company has established an efficient "industry-academia-research-application" integrated R&D system.

Yang Ling, the company's product R&D director, said that to date, the company has obtained over 20 invention patents, more than 50 domestic trademarks, and 6 EU-registered trademarks. Its patents related to "plant extract feed additives" won a gold medal in the Hubei Provincial High-Value Patent Competition. The company has also participated in formulating several industry standards, leading industry development through technological strength.

Lei Gang, the company's process R&D director, led the development of nano-microencapsulation technology. Through a micro-sealing encapsulation process, it solves the industry shortcomings of essential oils being volatile and heat-sensitive. The products can withstand temperatures above 140°C, can be administered through drinking water, and achieve precise drug release inside animals. They are widely compatible with various feeds for pigs, poultry, and aquatic species, becoming a benchmark technology in the industry.

The company's Tributyrin and coated plant essential oils have won two First Prizes and two Second Prizes of Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award, with several technologies filling domestic industry gaps.

Quality as the Foundation – Dual-Market Layout
Thanks to its strong technological capabilities and standardized management system, Horwath Bio has successively obtained certifications including EU GMP+, FAMI-QS, ISO22000, ISO9001, US FDA registration, and Kosher certification. It has successfully passed the global audit of the world's leading feed group, Cargill, laying an authoritative foundation for product quality improvement and global market expansion. In 2025, the company was selected as a provincial advanced-level intelligent factory in Xianning High-tech Zone, achieving a leap forward in digital and intelligent production capacity.

The company adopts a precise "make-to-order" production model, continuously improving production efficiency and market adaptability. In March this year, orders increased by 40% year-on-year. In 2025, the company's annual output value exceeded 300 million yuan, with an annual output of 20,000 tons.

In terms of market layout, the company has formed a dual-circulation pattern of "rooted in China, expanding overseas." The domestic market accounts for 60% of sales, covering major feed enterprises across the country. The international market covers more than 50 countries and regions, accounting for 40% of sales. Last year, the company received over 20 batches of international customers, with clients from Russia, Brazil, Italy, and other countries making special trips to Xianning for inspections and contract signings, reflecting continuously growing international market recognition.

Standing at a new starting point for development, Horwath Bio is planning its next round of technological breakthroughs. Hu Qunbing said the company is preparing to build a synthetic biology laboratory in Wuhan, focusing on cutting-edge fields such as biomanufacturing and natural product biosynthesis, to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly green additive products. At the same time, it is steadily advancing its IPO preparation, leveraging capital to empower technological innovation, continuing to focus on antibiotic-free feed and antibiotic-reduction farming, and leading the green transformation and upgrading of the industry both domestically and internationally.

"Using technology to protect the health of people's plates is our unswerving mission," Hu said. The company will continue to be driven by innovation and rooted in quality, empowering the high-quality development of the livestock industry with green technology, so that safe, healthy, and high-quality meat, eggs, and milk can reach every household, contributing to Xianning's goal of building a major health industry hub and supporting rural revitalization.

Source: Xianning Daily | Publicity Office of Xianning High-tech Zone
Reporter: Zhu Yaping | Correspondent: Qing Xuemeng