FrieslandCampina invests €90m to lead global high-value whey markets

FrieslandCampina has announced a major investment programme of more than €90 million ($97.2 million) to accelerate its growth in the high-value whey protein sector.

The Dutch dairy giant is focusing on the valorisation of whey into specialised ingredients for the performance, medical, and early life nutrition markets.  

By upgrading its Dutch production network, FrieslandCampina is positioning itself to capture a larger share of a global whey protein market that is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.6% through 2030. 

The investment programme targets three key Dutch production sites — Bedum, Veghel, and Workum. The primary goal is to expand the capacity for premium protein ingredients, specifically focusing on advanced offerings like WPC80 (Whey Protein Concentrate 80%) and the company’s proprietary Nutri Whey ProHeat microparticulated whey.  

The core reasoning behind this massive capital injection is the creation of a more flexible and efficient valorisation chain. By processing internally sourced whey streams into high-value isolates and concentrates, the company reduces its exposure to volatile commodity dairy markets.  

This dedicated investment programme positions FrieslandCampina and its ingredients business group to respond to this growth by increasing capacity and strengthening the flexibility of its whey valorisation chain.  

The investment includes technological modernisation with a programme comprising:

• Advanced filtration: implementing state-of-the-art filtration technologies to preserve the bio-functionality of proteins while ensuring a clean, neutral taste. 
• Environmental efficiency: the upgrades will replace older production lines with water- and energy-efficient systems, expected to reduce Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 16 kilotonnes of CO₂e.  

Operationally, work begins this year, with the first equipment coming online in 2027 and full operational capacity expected by 2028.  

This announcement follows a series of aggressive expansion moves by the group. Just two months ago, FrieslandCampina completed a doubling of whey protein isolate production at its Borculo facility. Late last year, the company also marked a milestone by acquiring Wisconsin Whey Protein in the US, significantly expanding its footprint in the North American market.  

FrieslandCampina Ingredients aims to become a “top three global player” in the performance and active nutrition markets. By integrating these high-tech production nodes across Europe and the U.S., the cooperative is building a unified supply chain capable of delivering specialized, consistent nutrition solutions at scale.  

For food and drink manufacturers, FrieslandCampina’s expanded capacity offers three advantages:

1. Security of supply: as global demand for high-protein diets rises, the group’s increased capacity for WPC80 and specialised isolates ensures a stable supply for large-scale manufacturers. 
2. Sustainability: with 16 kilotonnes of CO₂e removed from the production cycle, the ingredients help B2B partners meet their own Scope 3 emissions reduction targets
3. Innovation opportunities: the increased availability of micro-particulated whey (ProHeat) allows manufacturers to develop heat-stable, high-protein beverages and medical nutrition products that were previously technically difficult to formulate.