Arla Foods is to partner the Norwegian dairy company, Tine, in the production and sale of whey proteins to the international food industry.

Under the agreement, Tine will invest NOK 300 million in a production plant for whey protein concentrate. In turn, Arla Foods will be supplying the know-how and will handle sales of whey protein concentrate to the international food industry.

Over the past 25 years, Arla Foods has steadily built up a global business in whey and milk proteins with such success that the raw materials have to be bought in from external suppliers. The partnership with Tine will provide access to a further approx. 10 per cent whey protein concentrate.

"We’re delighted to be working with Tine," says Jais Valeur, Head of Global Ingredients. "Arla will bring to the table established sales channels within an international sales organisation and the partnership will offer both companies access to a product that will increase earnings and create growth."

Arla Foods already runs a whey protein concentrate production in Denmark, Germany and Argentina.