Dairy co-operative Fonterra has announced plans to build an ingredients facility in the Netherlands, which could produce 5,000 tonnes of whey protein and 25,000 tonnes of lactose every year.
The plant, in the northern town of Heereveen, will be built adjacent to a cheese production facility operated by a Dutch cheese producer. New Zealand-based Fonterra and A-ware Food Group announced that they would collaborate on the project as part of a $144m partnership two years ago.
The 24-hour site will operate 365 days of the year and has already provided 50 new jobs, according to New Zealand press.
Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings said: “Fonterra has substantial intellectual property in the manufacture of functional whey protein ingredients and had been looking for some time for a source of high quality whey to enable us to commercialise these innovations.
“Our partnership with A-ware Food Group fits well with our strategic priorities aimed at increasing the volume and value of our ingredients and branded products.”
The announcement coincided with reports that Fonterra’s agreed stake in a Chinese dairy company, Beingmate Baby & Child, had risen by $85m; in August, we reported that the two producers had begun a partnership worth $615m, which is said to have risen to $700m following a fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar.
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