Dairy giant FrieslandCampina will invest tens of millions of euros in, among other things, the factory in Veghel. The dairy group will use the money to modernize the factory in Veghel and prepare it to benefit from the success of protein-rich food and drinks.
In total, this involves an investment of 90 million euros. Money that is not only invested in the factory in Veghel, but also in those in Bedum in Groningen and Workum in Friesland. In those factories, FrieslandCampina can now make protein ingredients from a by-product of cheese.
These proteins are intended for sports nutrition, infant nutrition and medical nutrition. For protein production, FrieslandCampina uses whey, a liquid that is created during the production of cheese. The ingredients that the company makes from it end up in products such as protein-rich bars, drinks and yogurt.
Protein shakes for gym goers
The investments are expected to be completed in 2028. The popularity of food products with extra proteins is growing worldwide. These are, for example, aimed at gym goers who drink protein shakes or people who prefer not to eat meat.
FrieslandCampina previously announced the acquisition of an American producer of whey proteins, Wisconsin Whey Protein. The company also invested in the processing of whey in Borculo in Gelderland.
‘Remaining progressive’
“Global demand for advanced protein solutions is increasing rapidly,” said Anne Peter Lindeboom, president of FrieslandCampina Ingredients. The investments should also ensure that Dutch factories “remain progressive and meet future market and customer needs”, the company reported on Tuesday.
According to the dairy company, the investments will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing older production lines with more efficient technologies.
