Exhibiting at FOOD INGREDIENTS CHINA 2025

Proliant Dairy Ingredients is a leading U.S.-based manufacturer and global supplier of functional dairy ingredients, headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa. The company specializes in the production of high-quality whey permeate products for use in both human food and animal nutrition. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and nutritional efficiency, Proliant Dairy Ingredients is recognized for delivering consistent, value-added dairy solutions under its flagship brands "VersiLac" and "Proliant 1000."

Company Background

Proliant Dairy Ingredients operates as part of The Lauridsen Group, Inc. (LGI), a diversified portfolio of companies focused on health, nutrition, and biotechnology. Leveraging over 40 years of experience in the protein and ingredient sectors, Proliant has developed a streamlined model of dairy processing that maximizes resource utilization and minimizes environmental impact. The company utilizes proprietary technology and strong partnerships with cheese manufacturers to recover and transform whey into highly functional permeate powders.

Core Business

The company’s core business is centered around processing deproteinized whey into permeate powders that offer cost-effective and functional benefits to food manufacturers and feed formulators. These ingredients are used across a wide spectrum of products including bakery goods, confectionery, beverages, soups, sauces, snacks, and livestock feed.

Proliant Dairy Ingredients serves both the food and animal nutrition markets with high-specification, low-variability permeate products.

Product & Service Offerings

1. VersiLac® – Food Grade Whey Permeate

• Deproteinized whey powder with consistent mineral content
• Excellent for browning (Maillard reaction), flavor enhancement, and cost reduction
• Typical applications:
  • Bakery (breads, cookies)
  • Confectionery (caramels, chocolates)
  • Beverages
  • Savory foods (soups, sauces, snacks)

2. VersiLac® LM7 – Low Mineral Whey Permeate

• Reduced ash/mineral content compared to standard permeate
• Ideal for applications with flavor sensitivity or regulatory mineral constraints
• Higher sweetness and improved solubility

3. VersiLac® LMS – Low Mineral Sweet Whey Permeate

• A hybrid solution offering benefits of both sweet whey and low-mineral permeate
• Optimized for specialty formulations including infant foods, dairy blends, and high-quality nutrition powders

4. Proliant 1000 – Animal Nutrition Grade Whey Permeate

• Economical, digestible carbohydrate source for piglets, calves, and poultry
• Used globally in livestock feed as a lactose and energy source
• Enhanced pellet binding and palatability

Specialization and Core USP

Proliant Dairy Ingredients' primary differentiation lies in its patented drying and processing technology, which ensures:

• Unmatched consistency in mineral and moisture content
• Superior solubility and flavor profile
• High hygienic standards, with certifications from key regulatory bodies

The company works in close collaboration with dairy cooperatives and cheese manufacturers to recover by-products and convert them into value-added ingredients, promoting zero-waste and circular economy principles.

Financials and Market Presence

While specific financial figures are private, Proliant Dairy Ingredients holds a strong commercial footprint:

• Operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia
• Supplies to global F&B brands, contract manufacturers, and feed integrators
• High-capacity spray-drying facility in Melrose, Minnesota, one of the largest of its kind in North America
• Distribution partners and technical support teams positioned across international markets

Shipment Data

Export shipment data indicates:

• Active exports to over 35 countries including Mexico, Netherlands, China, Japan, and Brazil
• Main exported SKUs: VersiLac food-grade permeate and Proliant 1000 animal-grade permeate
• Estimated annual production exceeding 80,000 metric tons
• High repeat purchase rate due to ingredient reliability and cost-performance

Target Market

Proliant Dairy Ingredients targets:

• Food manufacturers in bakery, confectionery, and beverage sectors
• Animal nutrition companies specializing in early-life and performance feeds
• Ingredient distributors and formulation consultants
• Private label and contract manufacturers

Their dairy ingredients provide both cost savings and improved sensory/nutritional value, making them suitable for value-added and mass-market formulations.

Capabilities

• Large-Scale Production: Proprietary processing facilities with over 80,000 MT/year capacity
• Technical R&D: Application labs focused on bakery, snacks, and dairy prototypes
• Global Distribution: Warehousing and logistics support across multiple continents
• Customization: Ability to tailor mineral content and particle characteristics for specialized applications

Certifications & Compliance

Proliant Dairy Ingredients maintains compliance with international food safety standards:

• FSSC 22000
• ISO 9001
• Kosher and Halal Certified
• Non-GMO and rBST-Free options available
• Registered with FDA, EU, and Codex Alimentarius authorities
• Adheres to Sustainability and Animal Welfare Guidelines under LGI corporate policies

Major Achievements

• VersiLac® recognized as a global leader in whey permeate innovation
• Operates one of the largest dedicated whey permeate drying plants in the U.S.
• Export partnerships in over 35 countries
• Expanded into low mineral dairy solutions to meet rising demand in Asia and infant nutrition sectors
• Ongoing collaborations with top food brands for formulation optimization

Proliant Dairy Ingredients continues to set the benchmark in functional dairy ingredient solutions by combining technical precision, scalable infrastructure, and sustainability-driven innovation.