From WPC80 to lactoferrin, dairy companies globally are investing in premium protein capacity to capture growth in the high-end sports nutrition and functional food space. As DairyReporter reports, demand is consistently outpacing supply, and volumes are often booked months in advance.

As the line between everyday and active wellness blurs, standing out in sports and functional nutrition increasingly relies on high-quality protein and science-backed outcomes. That calls for investment in a robust innovation pipeline. Getting hold of protein is becoming increasingly challenging — especially high-end WPC80 and WPI, where manufacturers are spending thousands of dollars per tonne. For those with the resources and foresight, capacity expansion investment is already under way.

Actus Nutrition and Darigold

In June, US ingredient producer Actus Nutrition forged a strategic partnership with dairy co-op Darigold to leverage its processing infrastructure and supply chain network, unlocking value for Darigold farmers while expanding scale and distribution for Actus protein ingredients. 

“We continue to see strong global demand for high-quality dairy proteins, and this partnership accelerates our ability to meet that demand,” said Actus CEO David Lenzmeier.

“Together, we are creating a more connected and efficient supply chain,” added Darigold CEO Amy Humphreys.

DMK’s new WPC80 plant

Whey protein production is one of the growth pillars for newly merged Arla and DMK, which formed Europe’s largest dairy co-operative last month. The two groups were already running a whey processing JV before the merger was floated, and the combined business can now leverage DMK’s whey streams to bolster Arla’s specialised ingredients business. In May 2026, DMK also announced a €26 million investment in a new 7,000-tonne WPC80 plant at its existing Edewecht facility.

FrieslandCampina’s whey protein investment

FrieslandCampina has made premium protein expansion a key strategic priority. The co-op recently acquired Wisconsin Whey Protein, significantly increasing its presence in the US ingredient space, while also doubling WPI and MFGM production capacity at its Borculo facility and investing more than $90m across three other Netherlands facilities to expand WPC80, instantized whey protein and microparticulated whey production.

Saputo’s whey upgrade

Cheese processor Saputo is also expanding whey processing capacity to unlock long-term value from its whey streams. The Canadian dairy major has invested more than CA$180m to upgrade its Ripon, Wisconsin plant, seeking to expand WPC80 output by around 35% and improve quality.

Taken together, these investments underline how major dairy players are racing to scale high-value whey processing capabilities, positioning themselves to capture sustained growth in premium protein markets while tightening supply continues to support elevated pricing.

Source: DairyReporter