The recently expanded biotechnology manufacturing facility in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, has significantly increased Kerry’s capacity to produce lactase enzymes at industrial scale, as demand for lactose free and sugar reduction in dairy accelerates.
The investment has been used to boost the firm’s end-to-end enzyme platform by more closely linking advanced enzyme engineering and strain development with large-scale manufacturing.
Working with Kerry’s Global Innovation Centre as the central hub, Kerry has connected innovation and application development with its specialised biotechnology capabilities at the Kerry Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig, Germany, and expanded production capacity in Carrigaline, Ireland.
In essence, this will provide producers with the ability to scale up quicker, and gain access to secure supply and consistent performance at commercial volumes.
“This investment translates decades of biotech research into scalable, real world capability,” said Shane McGibney, president and CEO of biotechnology solutions and transformation at Kerry.
“By strengthening the link between enzyme engineering and industrial production, we’re able to move innovations more efficiently from the lab to the production line – helping customers access reliable supply and bring new products to market with greater speed and confidence.”
The Carrigaline site plays a central role in Kerry’s global manufacturing network, supporting more than 200 customers across 80+ countries. Lactase enzymes produced at the site are already used to process more than two million tonnes of milk annually – reaching an estimated 28 million consumers globally.
“For our customers, this expansion is about execution as much as innovation,” said Ronan Moloney, vice president of enzymes at Kerry.
“With increased manufacturing capacity in Carrigaline, combined with deep application expertise, we can support customers through enzyme selection, process optimisation and scaleup – reducing bottlenecks and strengthening supply continuity as they commercialise lactose free and sugar reduced dairy products.”
