In a move which the co-op said will “significantly increase” its total whey protein isolate capacity, FrieslandCampina has agreed to purchase US-based Wisconsin Whey Protein, a manufacturer of cheese and whey products.

The co-op said that the acquisition will enable it to scale and extend its “market-leading position” in Europe and Asia into the North American market.

While there were no financial terms of the deal released, Wisconsin Whey Protein is expected to generate revenue of approximately $250m(€215m) in 2025.

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The US purchase follows from an increase in whey protein production by FrieslandCampina in the Netherlands in recent years. It also further emphasises the global dairy industry’s focus on whey protein.

Focus

In recent weeks, Tirlán announced a €126m investment in the construction of a whey protein isolate facility at its site in Ballyragget.

Glanbia, the world’s biggest buyer of the product, also announced an investment in increased capacity for whey production at its cheese manufacturing sites in the US.

Global demand for dairy protein is forecast to remain strong over the coming years as consumer diets change and the increased popularity of weight-loss GLP-1 drugs helps to drive demand for protein.

FrieslandCampina said that it expected the whey protein market will grow at 6.6% per annum until 2030.