FrieslandCampina is poised to invest over €90 million ($105.2 million) in whey protein production across the Netherlands, a strategic move that aligns with current trends in the food and beverage industry.
On May 5, the Dutch dairy cooperative announced its plans to bolster capacity for “higher-value” ingredients and enhance its manufacturing network. This investment will fund improvements at facilities in Bedum, Veghel, and Workum.
The initiative aims to facilitate technological advancements, enabling the production of various products, including WPC80, instantized whey proteins, and Nutri Whey ProHeat, a microparticulated whey. These ingredients are essential for food manufacturers engaging in the dynamic food and drink business, fostering applications such as high-protein drinks, bars, and yogurts.
In response to inquiries from Just Food, FrieslandCampina detailed that the investment will encompass the addition of new and upgraded equipment, the enhancement of processing lines, and the modernization of processes. This includes implementing advanced filtration technologies, improved water reuse systems, and more efficient processing lines. Notably, the program will expand capacity for WPC80 and ProHeat in Bedum and Workum, as well as optimize the lactose factory in Veghel by utilizing whey permeate.
However, the cooperative refrained from disclosing current capacity levels or the anticipated scale of increases at each site. FrieslandCampina emphasized in its statement that this investment will enable the company and its ingredients business to effectively address rising global demand for high-value whey proteins by “increasing capacity and strengthening the flexibility” of its whey valorization chain.
Anne Peter Lindeboom, president of FrieslandCampina Ingredients, remarked, “Global demand for advanced protein solutions continues to accelerate. This program is the next step in our broader investment strategy to lead in high-value proteins, building on recent investments to strengthen whey capacity and valorization in the Netherlands such as in Borculo, and in the US through the acquisition of Wisconsin Whey Protein.”
By investing across its ingredients network, FrieslandCampina is enhancing its ability to serve global customers and generate greater value from its whey streams sustainably. The cooperative indicated that project work will commence this year, with investments rolling out over the coming years. Initial upgrades are expected to transition to operational status by 2027, achieving full capacity by 2028.
FrieslandCampina will keep its works councils informed as site-specific plans develop and anticipates no major impact on employment. The organization stated, “Any changes in staffing needs will be managed responsibly and are expected to be largely absorbed through natural attrition.”
Furthermore, this new investment program aligns with FrieslandCampina’s environmental objectives by incorporating energy- and water-efficient technologies while phasing out older production lines. The cooperative expects these measures to reduce Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 16 kilotonnes of CO2e, while ensuring compliance with Dutch and EU standards.
With a presence in 30 countries and a workforce of 19,075, FrieslandCampina significantly impacts the global market, with its products available in over 100 countries. In December, the cooperative acquired the US ingredients firm Wisconsin Whey Protein to substantially enhance its whey protein capacity, an essential component in addressing food and drink consumer trends.
By positioning itself strategically, FrieslandCampina is meeting the demands of a fast-evolving industry, catering to the increasing preference for high-value proteins among consumers worldwide.