Press release

ZEISS AURA® analyzer brings NIR analysis directly to feed

New portable NIR spectrometer for rapid analysis of representative feed samples
3 November 2026 · 3 min read

Jena, Germany | 3 November 2026 | ZEISS Spectroscopy

ZEISS is presenting the new AURA® analyzer at EuroTier 2026. The NIR spectrometer was developed to determine feed quality and enables feed consultants and dairy farmers, for example, to perform analyses directly at the sampling location.

Understanding the composition of feed is an important basis for planning and adjusting rations according to specific requirements. As raw materials are subject to natural variation, up-to-date and precise measurement results are particularly important for their assessment. The AURA® analyzer provides these results within seconds.

A person holds a portable ZEISS AURA analyzer outdoors.

The portable AURA analyzer brings NIR feed analysis to the sampling site.

Mobile NIR analysis where decisions are made

“Feed samples are naturally variable. This is why we designed the sample handling of the AURA® analyzer to accommodate a larger and therefore more representative sample amount,” says Anja Jungnickel, Product Manager at ZEISS Spectroscopy. “This provides an important basis for reliable measurement results.”

A large measurement window and generously sized sample dish enable the analysis of larger sample amounts. The integrated pressure plate also supports uniform compression and consistent sample presentation. This allows for better accounting of the material's natural variability during measurement. The mobile app guides users through the measurement process step by step and displays the results immediately after the analysis.

The robust, portable device is designed for use at the silo, in the barn or in the field. “With the AURA® analyzer, we shorten the path from sampling to results,” says Christian Schultheiss, Head of Digital Innovation at ZEISS Spectroscopy. “Digital data processing via the ZEISS Cloud Platform makes measurement results immediately available for consultations and the planning of feeding strategies.”

Advancing spectroscopy for agriculture

The AURA® analyzer expands the portfolio with a solution that combines NIR analysis with application-specific sample handling. “We see agriculture as a key circular economy in which precise information is becoming an increasingly important basis for economic decision-making. With our expertise in optical sensor technology, we aim to create transparency along the agricultural value chain and help ensure that agronomic decisions are based on reliable data,” says Dr. Jochen Hallmann, Head of Field of Business Agri/Food at ZEISS Spectroscopy.

Premiere at EuroTier 2026

The AURA® analyzer will be presented to the public for the first time at EuroTier 2026 in Hanover. At Hall 19/20, Booth E58, ZEISS experts will demonstrate device operation and the analysis of various feed samples.

Press Contact Joachim Kuss ZEISS Photonics & Optics
Press Contact Julia Sandmann ZEISS Spectroscopy

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (September 30, 2025).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 47,400 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development facilities, and 30 production facilities worldwide (March 31, 2026). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

 

About ZEISS Spectroscopy

Based in Jena, ZEISS Spectroscopy is part of the ZEISS Photonics & Optics strategic business unit and stands for high-quality spectroscopic solutions for industrial applications. For more than 150 years, spectroscopic instruments from ZEISS have set standards in the industry. The company develops and manufactures optical gratings, spectrometer modules, spectrometer systems and customized solutions for challenging measurement tasks.

With a broad application portfolio spanning agriculture, the food industry, environmental monitoring, the semiconductor industry and Thin Film Metrology, ZEISS Spectroscopy helps customers implement quality and process control efficiently and reliably.

For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/spectroscopy

Press photos

  • ZEISS AURA analyzer for mobile feed analysis

    The portable AURA analyzer brings NIR feed analysis to the sampling site.

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