Kerry scales lactase production to accelerate sugar reduction

Kerry has opened an expanded biotechnology manufacturing facility in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, boosting its ability to produce lactase enzymes at industrial scale.

The investment strengthens the company’s end‑to‑end enzyme platform by linking advanced enzyme engineering, strain development and large‑scale production more closely than before. The site forms part of a global network that includes Kerry’s Innovation Centre and its Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig.

Demand for lactose‑free and sugar‑reduced dairy continues to rise worldwide as consumers look for products that support digestive comfort and lower sugar intake without compromising taste or texture. This shift is placing pressure on manufacturers to scale production quickly, maintain consistent enzyme performance and secure dependable supply chains. Lactase enzymes are central to this growth, enabling both lactose breakdown and natural sweetness enhancement through controlled hydrolysis.

By expanding lactase production, Kerry can now offer manufacturers greater access to high‑performance enzymes that support:

• Lactose‑free dairy processing, improving digestibility and widening consumer appeal
• Sugar reduction, as lactase converts lactose into sweeter monosaccharides, reducing the need for added sugar
• Consistent performance at commercial volumes, ensuring stable processing conditions across large‑scale operations
• Faster product development, with closer integration between enzyme engineering, application expertise and industrial manufacturing

The expansion also enhances Kerry’s ability to support customers through enzyme selection, process optimisation and scale‑up, reducing bottlenecks as brands commercialise new formulations.

The investment is aimed at dairy manufacturers producing lactose‑free milk, yogurt and cheese, sugar‑reduced dairy beverages, high‑protein and functional dairy products, and private‑label and branded ranges seeking clean‑label sugar reduction.

Kerry’s expanded Carrigaline facility strengthens supply continuity for more than 200 customers in over 80 countries. Lactase enzymes produced at the site are already used to process more than two million tonnes of milk annually, reaching an estimated 28 million consumers. By increasing capacity, Kerry can support customers’ global expansion plans, reduce lead times and provide a single integrated partner from discovery to commercialisation.

Kerry aims to accelerate innovation in dairy enzyme applications by tightly connecting R&D, strain development and industrial production. Shane McGibney, president & CEO, biotechnology solutions and transformation, said the investment “translates decades of biotech research into scalable, real‑world capability,” enabling customers to bring new products to market “with greater speed and confidence.” The expansion also reinforces Ireland’s position as a hub for advanced food and biotech manufacturing.

Kerry’s expanded lactase capacity gives dairy producers a more resilient, scalable and innovation‑ready supply chain at a time of global demand for lactose‑free and sugar‑reduced products. By combining enzyme engineering with industrial‑scale manufacturing, the company enables manufacturers to move from concept to commercial production more quickly — supporting category growth, improving processing efficiency and helping brands meet evolving consumer expectations for healthier dairy.