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

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

Editorial: A new era for two co-ops

OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.

Should co-op sell its consumer brands?

OPINION: As CEO of the Dairy Board in the 1980s I was fortunate to work with a team of experienced and capable executives who made most of the brand investments that created the international consumer business Fonterra inherited. Soprole in Chile was the largest, but there were more than 20 countries where consumer marketing companies were established and Anchor and other brands were successfully launched.

Featured

'One more push' to eliminate FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

National

Machinery & Products

New McHale terra drive axle option

Well-known for its Fusion baler wrapper combination, Irish manufacturer McHale has launched an interesting option at the recent Irish Ploughing…

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Tough times

OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.

MSA triumph

OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter