Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina has announced plans to add to its B2B ingredients interests with the acquisition of Wisconsin Whey Protein.
The financial terms of the transaction for the US producer of whey protein isolates were not revealed.
In a statement yesterday (2 December), FrieslandCampina said the deal will “significantly” increase its ingredients unit’s whey protein capacity.
The owner of the Campina, Friesche Vlag and Dutch Lady brands called the proposed deal a “milestone” for its ingredients division.
The acquisition is intended to extend its reach from Europe and Asia into North America.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
Anne Peter Lindeboom, the president of the co-op's FrieslandCampina Ingredients division, said: “The acquisition will enable us to scale our proven successes in high-end protein offerings to customers in the US and worldwide.”
FrieslandCampina wants its ingredients division to become a “top three” global player in performance and active nutrition and maintain its position as “market leader” in early life and medical nutrition, it said.
It is projected that the whey protein market will grow at 6.6% per annum until 2030, FrieslandCampina said.
K Kachadurian, founder and CEO of Wisconsin Whey Protein, added: “There’s a natural fit between Wisconsin Whey Protein’s entrepreneurial spirit and FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ global growth ambition.”
FrieslandCampina reported a 6.4% increase in revenue to €6.8bn ($7.9bn) in the first six months of 2025, with net profit climbing by 25.7% to €230m.
Operating profit rose 20.6% to €363m due to “strong" performances in its Specialised Nutrition and Ingredients divisions.
However, the company has flagged a raft of “headwinds” and warned profits could come under pressure in the back half of the year due to external factors.
In July, FrieslandCampina agreed to sell its operations in Romania to Bonafarm Group.
The deal includes FrieslandCampina’s stake in the entity in Romania that owns the Napolact brand. It also covers two production sites in Cluj-Napoca and Târgu Mureș as well as approximately 400 employees.
