Arla Foods Ingredients has assumed complete ownership of MV Ingredients following Volac’s withdrawal from the long-standing joint venture that spanned over a decade.
Throughout the past decade, both companies have enjoyed advantages from their equal 50/50 joint venture, situated at Arla Foods’ Taw Valley facility in the United Kingdom.
MV Ingredients manufactures permeate powder, which is marketed by Volac, as well as liquid WPC supplied to Volac. In the new agreement, Arla Foods Ingredients will assume complete ownership of MV Ingredients and will handle account management for permeate powder. Additionally, for a specified period, they will maintain the supply of liquid WPC to Volac.
CEO of Arla Foods Ingredients, Henrik Andersen, said, “MV Ingredients processes raw whey coming from Arla Foods-owned Taw Valley dairy, and the opportunity to take full control of whey already produced within the Arla Foods loop is a great opportunity.”
He continued, “Arla Foods Ingredients is actively looking for more whey to continue our journey to discover and deliver powerful nutrition for a stronger tomorrow. And the whey produced at Arla Foods dairies, processing milk supplied from Arla Foods’ farmer-owners, is top class, and we are extremely happy to acquire full control of MV Ingredients following a productive partnership with Volac”.
Richard Jones, MD, Whey Nutrition Division at Volac, added, “We have enjoyed a very successful period with MV Ingredients since its inception in 2010, originally with Milk Link, latterly with Arla Foods Ingredients. At the foundation of the joint venture, Volac brought a wealth of whey processing expertise, which complemented Milk Link’s production of superior raw materials. As with any joint venture, there comes a time when it is the right thing for both parties to move on, and I am delighted that we are leaving on excellent terms and look forward to continuing our relationship.”
The new ownership structure took effect on 1 September 2023.
