Arla Foods Ingredients doubles production of Alpha-lactalbumin

Arla Foods Ingredients has doubled its capacity for producing Alpha-lactalbumin in a bid to meet growing demand from the global infant formula market.

Alpha-lactalbumin is the dominant protein in human milk, but is also found naturally in cows’ milk. Incorporating it into infant formula enables manufacturers to create products that more closely resemble breast milk.

Alpha-lactalbumin, a dominant protein in human milk, is rich in essential amino acids

Anne Staudt Kvistgaard, Head of Pediatric at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Alpha-lactalbumin is very rich in essential amino acids. This means that protein levels in infant formulas can be optimised in regards to protein concentration and composition while maintaining compliance with the amino acid levels set by regulations.”

Arla Foods Ingredients produces Alpha-lactalbumin at its Denmark Protein facility in Jutland, which adheres to the strictest quality and safety standards anywhere in the infant formula industry today. It has added a second production line at the factory, which will increase output of the protein by 100%.

Anne added: “Human milk will always be the gold-standard for infants but commercial production of Alpha-lactalbumin means babies fed with formula can benefit from similar levels of protein composition. In recognition of this, worldwide demand for Alpha-lactalbumin is growing fast – especially in China – and we’re delighted that this increase in our production capacity will help to secure further supplies for our customers in line with our ‘Quality starts here’ commitments.”

Besides infant formula, Alpha-lactalbumin’s rich protein content means that it is also suitable for use as a high quality ingredient in health foods and in sports and clinical nutrition products.