Tuesday, 03 September 2024 12:55

Co-op to lift protein ingredients offering

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fonterra president Global Market Ingredients Richard Allen. Fonterra president Global Market Ingredients Richard Allen.

Fonterra is spending $75 million at its Studholme site in South Canterbury to boost high value protein production.

The co-operative says its proteins have enhanced functionality and are designed to perform well in premium product applications such as medical and high-protein sports nutrition.

The global high protein dairy category is projected to grow by close to US$10 billion over the next four years, at an annualised growth rate of 7% per annum.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the investment is part of the co-op's strategy to grow value through its world-leading Ingredients business by partnering with customers who value Fonterra's unique offering.

"We have valuable expertise in dairy science and innovation, making us leaders in the manufacture of dairy proteins and other advanced ingredient solutions.

"The expansion of our Studholme site will allow us to increase production of this high-value product and ultimately grow returns to farmers," says Hurrell.

Fonterra president Global Markets Ingredients, Richard Allen, says the co-op's dairy ingredients are highly sought after by customers globally.

"Increasing our manufacturing capacity for functional proteins will enable us to continue to strengthen our offerings with existing customers as well as attract new business."

Site works at Studholme will begin next month with the first product due to come off the line in 2026. In addition to producing advanced proteins, the site will continue to support the South Island's milk processing as it has down since Fonterra acquired the site in 2012.

Allen says the project team reviewed Fonterra's world-wide asset network before deciding on the Studholme site.

"It's pleasing to see we are able to expand an existing site to produce these high value ingredients. The Studholme site was chosen as it is the right size, relatively new and has been built with future expansion in mind. It makes sense economically and we're confident in the longevity of the site to supply these ingredients for the long term," says Allen.

Fonterra expects six new roles at the site will be created as a result of this project and a large number of contractors involved in the build will come from the Canterbury region.

The project will also support the conversion of Studholme's existing coal boiler to a coal-free alternative in line with Fonterra's commitment to exit coal by 2037.

More like this

LCAs tackle false narratives

The quest to measure, report and make sense of the energy that goes into food production has come a long way in the past 25 years.

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up in the pockets of farmer shareholders.

Mixed legacy

OPINION: You're never as good as when you're dead, and with due respect to Theo Spierings' family, the Hound can't let the death of the former Fonterra CEO pass without mentioning the parlous state he left Fonterra in when he exited in 2018 - having pocketed well north of $30 million over seven years.

Featured

LCAs tackle false narratives

The quest to measure, report and make sense of the energy that goes into food production has come a long way in the past 25 years.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Organic sector backtracks on GE

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says the Government’s new gene editing and genetic modification reforms could leave New Zealand as an outlier on the global stage.

National

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up…

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Virtual fence probe

OPINION: Should there be an inquiry into virtual fencing technology for cows?

Time to reset

OPINION: New Zealand needs a rethink about how banks allocate capital.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter