Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients— a wholly owned subsidiary of Arla Foods—has reached an agreement to acquire U.K.-based Volac’s Whey Nutrition business. Volac specializes in processing whey into ingredients for sports nutrition, with byproducts sold for food and animal nutrition. The transaction is expected to be completed later this year, subject to required regulatory approvals.
The deal would include Volac's whey processing facility in Felinfach, Wales, which is sustainably powered by a low-emission biomass CHP (combined heat and power) energy center, and features a water recovery system for processing.
According to Arla Foods, the acquisition would play a significant role in the company's future plans for ingredients. It envisions the Felinfach site as a global production hub and a cornerstone of an enhanced product offering in the performance, health, and food sectors.
Those at Volac say this represents a logical step in its evolution as a family business and provides the springboard for the optimal development of the Whey Nutrition Business as well as Volac’s remaining Animal Nutrition Business.
“This brings together two complementary offerings in a growing and increasingly international space for whey products," says Luis Cubel, group vice president and managing director of Arla Foods Ingredients. "Volac is a pioneer in the use of whey protein for performance nutrition and has a wealth of expertise as well as an incredibly talented team. It shares our commitment to helping companies worldwide harness the full potential of whey, and we’re hugely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
James Neville, joint owner of Volac, adds, “Whey processing started at the Felinfach site more than three decades ago, and we couldn’t be prouder of everything that’s been achieved by everyone involved in the business since then. When considering the future of Volac Whey Nutrition and the opportunities that lie ahead for that business, it was crucial for us to choose a partner with the right values and expertise. Arla Foods Ingredients has the ambition and the knowledge to take the business to the next level.”
According to a 2024 consumer health study by Euromonitor, the global sports nutrition industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% since 2010. By 2028, it's projected to be worth $42.2 billion, up from $28.1 billion in 2023. Volac Whey Nutrition’s portfolio includes the Volactive range of products, while Arla Foods Ingredients’ portfolio includes the Lacprodan line for sports nutrition applications like RTDs, powder shakes, and protein bars.
