Whey to Grow: Actus Acquires U.S. Protein Plant

Nutrition group acquires Foremost Farms facility to boost whey capacity and meet growing global demand for dairy-based ingredients

8 May 2025

Actus Nutrition has acquired a whey protein manufacturing facility in Sparta, Wisconsin, in a move aimed at accelerating its expansion in the fast-growing dairy protein market. The 99,000-square-foot plant was previously owned by Foremost Farms, a dairy cooperative.

The acquisition, completed in April, also includes a long-term supply agreement with Foremost Farms for raw dairy inputs, allowing Actus to scale production while securing consistent access to materials.

"This acquisition allows us to scale smartly and innovate faster," a spokesperson for Actus said. "We're now positioned to deliver exceptional nutrition solutions across more markets, more efficiently."

Demand for whey protein continues to rise, driven by consumer interest in sports nutrition, functional foods and wellness-focused diets. Industry analysts expect further growth as manufacturers look to capture more value from dairy beyond traditional milk sales.

For Foremost Farms, the sale allows a shift in focus toward its core dairy processing operations. The cooperative retains upstream production responsibilities while Actus assumes downstream processing and product development.

The deal also highlights a broader shift in the dairy industry, where processors are investing in value-added ingredients such as whey protein, which was once considered a byproduct. Companies are increasingly building or acquiring dedicated production infrastructure to ensure greater control over quality and supply chain performance.

Rather than developing a new plant, Actus opted to acquire an existing, modern facility. This decision cuts the time and cost required to bring production online. That approach, according to analysts, offers a strategic advantage amid rising input costs and tighter competition from global players.

The Sparta facility provides Actus with both production scale and speed to market, key factors as the company seeks to expand its presence in functional dairy ingredients.

While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, industry observers view the deal as a sign of growing consolidation and investment in dairy-based nutrition. Actus's move comes as health-conscious consumers continue to reshape demand patterns across the food and beverage sector.