FrieslandCampina invests millions in the production of high-quality proteins
FrieslandCampina is investing more than €90 million in the production of high-quality whey proteins. The dairy company has been focusing heavily on this sector for several years. With this investment programme, the company is further expanding its capacity to process its own whey, a natural byproduct of cheese production, into high-quality whey ingredients.
The company supplies these ingredients for the production of sports nutrition, infant nutrition, and medical nutrition, among other things.
FrieslandCampina speaks of implementing multiple technological improvements and capacity expansion. The percentage by which the company is increasing capacity remains confidential. FrieslandCampina refers to a substantial expansion of the ingredient production network, with full operational benefits towards 2028.
A spokesperson explains that the investment programme focuses on modernising processes and equipment, and not on building new powder towers or reactivating previously closed powder towers. “The focus is on processing whey into high-quality ingredients more efficiently and flexibly within the existing network,” according to the spokesperson. This means less focus on the production of bulk products with lower added value.
Impact on milk prices
FrieslandCampina is unwilling to disclose what the investment will yield directly in milk money for member dairy farmers. However, it is clear that the investment increases the value the company can extract from the milk of member dairy farmers.
Anne Peter Lindeboom, responsible for the ingredients division at FrieslandCampina, indicates that the demand for high-quality proteins continues to increase rapidly. With this new investment programme, the company builds upon recent multi-million dollar investments, such as in Borculo and the United States through the acquisition of Wisconsin Whey Protein.
The Netherlands: Workum, Bedum, and Veghel
The investment programme announced now focuses on the production sites in Workum, Bedum, and Veghel in the Netherlands. In recent years, €30 million was already invested in Workum to expand whey processing capacity. The capacity for high-quality whey proteins, including WPC80 (whey protein concentrate with at least 80% protein) and Nutri Whey ProHeat (intended for medical nutrition), is now being further expanded in conjunction with technological upgrades. This increases both the capacity and the flexibility of whey processing.
In Bedum, FrieslandCampina is also expanding capacity for the production of high-quality whey ingredients through adjustments to equipment and processes. In 2022, FrieslandCampina decided to produce only demineralised whey powder, Deminal 90 – a basic ingredient for infant formula – at its Bedum facility. The company is now reversing this decision.
In Veghel, FrieslandCampina plans to optimise the lactose plant, processing whey permeate more efficiently. The technological improvements include modern filtration technology, more energy and water-efficient systems, improved water reuse, and the replacement of older production lines.
Sustainability
Through the investment programme, FrieslandCampina is also working towards achieving its sustainability goals. With modern energy and water efficiency, the company expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its production sites by approximately 16 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalents. Based on figures from Milieucentraal, this is equivalent to the emissions of about 970 households.
