Celebrating 20 years of operations at our protein plant 

We’re celebrating the 20-year history of our protein plant. We have been making high-quality protein products at the plant for 20 years during which time, both the quantity and diversity of products produced have increased significantly.  

Our protein products including whey protein concentrate (WPC) are highly sought after on global markets. We are not resting on our laurels and with our most recent investment in our plant, we plan to increase production of our milk protein concentrate (MPC85) and caseinates, both sodium and calcium, to be able to keep up with global demand. 

Hokitika protein plant has produced high quality product for 20 years 

Celebrating Westland’s protein plant’s two decades of operations is extra special for two current employees who were among the original eight operators when the plant officially opened in August 2006. 

For our business, employees, suppliers and customers, 2026 marks a 20-year milestone for our protein plant. It was a success story from the outset based on its continuous innovation, growth and delivery of high-quality protein ingredients to customers around the world.  

Building the plant to add value to the company’s growing milk supply started in 2003, with installation for stage one occurring in September 2005. The plant was opened officially on August 10, 2006 once stage 2 was complete and became fully operational. The first product produced was mineral acid casein with casein, caseinates, milk protein concentrates (MPC) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) following with the opening of stage 2. 

Production from the plant increased strongly from the 2005/6 year to the first full season in 2006/7, with volumes growing more than five times. By 2013, annual output had increased by around 60%, and we will double that volume in 2026. Recently, we have invested in increasing our MPC85 and caseinate, both sodium and calcium, production to be able to keep up with global demand. 

The protein plant also makes our high-quality WPC80. We have just introduced a low gel-strength variant for certain bakery applications, as well as our standard agglomerated WPC80 that everyone knows and loves. Our WPC80 is derived from mineral acid casein whey, offering a superior leucine amino-acid profile compared to rennet-coagulated cheese whey to better support muscle protein synthesis. 

As with all our products, our team is happy to work with our customers on tailored protein products to meet their needs. This extends to how the product is packed with our ability to bulk pack our protein products. 

Please get in touch if you require more information.