FrieslandCampina is investing over €90 million (US$105.5 million) to advance its whey protein innovation and further optimize its ingredients production network in the Netherlands. Using internally-sourced whey, the dairy giant aims to expand its capacity to produce protein ingredients for performance, active, early life, and medical nutrition applications.
Whey — a natural by-product of cheese production with only 20% milk — is an important ingredient in the protein beverage category, where companies are increasingly sharpening their innovation focus. Nearly 42% of global consumers consider protein as the most important ingredient for them, according to Innova Market Insights data.
With the investment, FrieslandCampina is also upgrading its whey production sites in the Dutch towns of Bedum, Veghel, and Workum. These technological improvements will support the manufacture of the company’s protein products, such as WPC80, instantized whey proteins, and specialty Nutri Whey ProHeat microparticulated whey.
F&B manufacturers can use these ingredients in high-protein drinks, bars, and yogurts.
Anne Peter Lindeboom, president of FrieslandCampina Ingredients, describes the investment program as the “next step” in the Dutch dairy giant’s broader investment strategy to elevate high-value protein concepts.
“Global demand for advanced protein solutions continues to accelerate. By investing across our ingredients network, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers worldwide and to create more value from our whey streams in a sustainable and future-oriented way,” he says.
Whey protein advancements
The whey protein investment builds on FrieslandCampina’s recent capital allocation to strengthen its whey capacity and valorization in the Netherlands, such as in Borculo, and in the US through the acquisition of Wisconsin Whey Protein.
Consumers are now “expecting more from protein than muscle support alone, seeking benefits such as satiety, weight management, and metabolic health,” Floor van der Horst, global marketing director for Performance and Active Nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, previously told Food Ingredients First.
The company recently showcased its fermented whey protein bites at Expo West in California, US, to help manufacturers formulate consumer products aligned with current industry trends, such as GLP-1 companion products that support satiety, muscle health, and overall wellness.
Dairy sustainability focus
The dairy industry has been targeting greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in recent years through initiatives such as dairy carbon networks, sustainability funds, and cash incentives for farmers to achieve sustainability goals. Methane-reducing feed additives are also seeing a heightened industry focus.
Scientists are experimenting with novel animal feed ingredients and “methane-busting” reaction chambers to slash GHG emissions from livestock farming
For FrieslandCampina, which aims to produce net climate-neutral dairy by 2050, the Netherlands whey protein investment will include energy- and water-efficient technologies and the phase-out of older production lines.
As a result, the company says it expects Scope 1 GHG emissions to be reduced by approximately 16 kilotonnes CO2e, while continuing compliance with Dutch and EU environmental standards.
FrieslandCampina will phase the cash injection over the coming years, with full operations expected to commence in 2028.
“The Works Councils will be kept informed in line with the usual processes as the interventions at the various locations are further developed,” says the company.