FrieslandCampina Ingredients ramps up lactoferrin production as infant and adult immunity pushes demand

11 Sep 2020 --- FrieslandCampina Ingredients (FCI) is set to increase its lactoferrin production capacity in Veghel, Netherlands, by 600 percent, bringing annual production up to 70 metric tons. This major increase is a response to demands for the ingredient in new applications outside of infant nutrition, including adult immunity.

“It’s a huge increase, but this figure isn’t an arbitrary one. The level of current lactoferrin demand and the speed of its growth indicate that there will continue to be a market for this much lactoferrin as the plant nears completion,” Harmen Bouma, segment marketing manager of early life nutrition at FCI, tells NutritionInsight.

The company will have the extra 60 metric ton capacity in place by 2022. The move enables strategic growth in its Early Life Nutrition and Adult Nutrition segments and will make FCI the largest lactoferrin producer globally, it says.

While Veghel is FCI’s main lactoferrin facility, it also produces lactoferrin in the US via a joint venture with the United Dairymen of Arizona.

Herman Ermens, FCI’s interim president, notes that global demand for lactoferrin almost doubled between 2014 and 2019.

“By significantly expanding our production capacity, we can meet the needs of our customers. In addition, this investment exemplifies our strategy of growth through value-added ingredients,” states Ermens.

Broadening from infant nutrition to immunity
Historically, the largest market for lactoferrin has been infant nutrition. However, it’s receiving increased interest in this sector and beyond thanks to its links with immunity. 

“Especially in China, parents increasingly associate lactoferrin with immunity and are willing to pay a premium for products that contain it. This has driven expansion of premium infant formula sales both in China and other Asian markets,” says Bouma.

Until recently, this was the main driver of the lactoferrin success story, he adds. However, the current global situation has focalized immunity for many consumers beyond the infant nutrition arena.

Additionally, Bouma points out that even in previous years, the company was seeing more adults starting to focus on their immune health and take a more active approach to it.

“Lactoferrin is in the spotlight thanks to its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory credentials. It’s all part of the seemingly unstoppable health trend, where people better understand the individual aspects of their health and well-being. They also seek ingredients showing results that can help them stay well. This is where we predict the fastest growth over the coming years,” he says. 

The importance of iron
Lactoferrin is naturally present in both cow’s milk and human milk. A number of scientific studies have shown several potential health benefits of the protein, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as enhancing iron absorption, according to FCI. 

“Low iron levels are a particular issue in infants and teenagers because often their diets don’t contain the amount of iron they need as they grow,” says Bouma.

“Supplements are considered not appropriate at these stages of life, so including lactoferrin into ‘everyday’ foods can help boost their intake of this valuable ingredient.” The plant will use 100 percent green electricity – an important contributor to FCI’s decreasing carbon footprint.

An environmentally-friendly facility
FCI’s lactoferrin is 96 percent pure and is directly extracted from raw milk in its Veghel production location. The product is spray-dried and has good dry blending properties. Companies using lactoferrin have historically been faced with difficulties surrounding consistency of supply, which has now been addressed. 

“The other major challenge can be quality of formulation. Clearly, there are very stringent regulations in infant nutrition, which vary from country to country. Ensuring products are fully compliant can be difficult.” 

In addition, the plant will use 100 percent green electricity – an important contributor to FCI’s decreasing carbon footprint.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainability in the dairy industry and are calling upon everyone else in it – customers, competitors, suppliers, NGOs and more – to work together to meet the nutritional and environmental demands that are placed on us,” says Bouma. 

Last month, FrieslandCampina launched an “ultra-premium” organic milk formula, dubbed Organic Friso Prestige Bio. This introduction followed other recent moves from the organization, including a new milk fat globule membrane ingredient for infant formula and a galactooligosaccharide prebiotic for adult gut health. 

By Katherine Durrell