Kerry expands lactase enzyme facility to meet global dairy demand
Kerry has opened an expanded biotechnology manufacturing hub in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, significantly increasing its industrial-scale lactase enzyme production capacity to serve dairy producers across more than 80 countries.
The investment strengthens Kerry’s ability to support manufacturers responding to sustained consumer demand for lactose-free and sugar-reduced dairy products – categories where reliable enzyme supply and application expertise are critical to commercial success.
Integrated enzyme platform from lab to production line
The Carrigaline expansion is designed to tighten the link between enzyme engineering and large-scale manufacturing. Kerry’s model connects its Global Innovation Centre with the Kerry Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig, Germany, and the expanded Irish production site, creating an end-to-end platform that shortens the path from strain development to commercial-scale output.
“This investment translates decades of biotech research into scalable, real-world capability,” said Shane McGibney, President & CEO, 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.”
Scale and supply continuity for dairy producers
Lactase enzymes produced at the Carrigaline site are currently used to process more than two million tonnes of milk annually, reaching an estimated 28 million consumers worldwide. The facility supports over 200 customers across 80-plus countries, making supply continuity a key operational consideration for the expansion.
Ronan Moloney, Vice President of Enzymes at Kerry, emphasised the practical implications for customers: “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.”
Ireland’s role in advanced biotech manufacturing
The project has drawn recognition from government as an example of high-value capability being developed from an Irish base. Peter Burke, Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, noted: “Manufacturing sites like Carrigaline help move innovation towards scale and strengthen Ireland’s position in advanced manufacturing.”
Meeting demand for lactose-free and reduced-sugar dairy
Consumer uptake of lactose-free and sugar-reduced dairy continues to grow across global markets, driven by digestive health considerations and sugar reduction goals. For food manufacturers, access to consistent, high-performance lactase enzymes is a core technical requirement for scaling these product lines without compromising sensory quality.
Kerry positions its expanded capacity as part of a single integrated offer spanning enzyme selection, process development and commercial-scale production – intended to reduce dependency on multiple suppliers and compress time-to-market for new dairy formulations.
The Carrigaline facility is now operational.
- For more information, visit: kerry.com
