Tirlán to invest US$146.2M in whey protein facilities

IRELAND – Tirlán, Ireland’s leading dairy processor, has announced plans for a US$146.2 million (€126 million) investment in a state-of-the-art whey processing facility at its Ballyragget site in Kilkenny.

The new facility will focus on the production of an advanced nutritional whey protein product portfolio, including clear whey protein – an increasingly popular product among lifestyle consumers.

Once operational, the facility will increase Tirlán’s capacity and flexibility to create high-value whey-based products.

The announcement was made on Friday at an event in Ballyragget attended by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

The Minister said the multi-million-euro investment in whey protein processing capability represents not just a commitment to Tirlán’s future, but to the Irish dairy industry as a whole.

“Whey has transformed from what was once considered just a by-product of cheese making into one of the most valuable and versatile nutritional ingredients in the world.

“Our grass-based milk production, traceability standards, and processing innovations give us a strong competitive advantage as international demand for whey ingredients continues to grow across sports nutrition, lifestyle products, infant formula and medical nutrition”.

Tirlán’s Chairperson, John Murphy, said the €126m investment is a real vote of confidence in the Irish dairy sector and in the world-class team here in Ballyragget.

This is our largest value-add investment ever – a bold step forward in our journey to move further up the value chain.

“This project isn’t just about building capacity, it’s about creating a platform for long-term growth, innovation, and global leadership in whey protein nutrition. This is how we turn consumer demand into sustainable opportunity.

The new the facility, which will be water neutral and carbon efficient, is expected to be operational by mid-2027.

Tirlán to sell 7% stake in Glanbia as part of bond repurchase plan

Recently, Tirlán Co-operative Society Limited announced it plans to sell approximately 17 million ordinary shares in Glanbia plc, representing about 7% of the company’s share capital, through a private placement to institutional investors.

The Irish dairy cooperative will use proceeds from the share sale to finance the repurchase of its outstanding €250 million 1.875% secured exchangeable bonds due January 2027. The bonds previously helped Tirlán acquire full ownership of what is now Tirlán.

Following the transaction, Tirlán will retain 43,549,029 ordinary shares in Glanbia, maintaining its position as the company’s largest equity investor.

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE