Westland’s bold move to invest in a new $70 million lactoferrin plant at its Hokitika facility has captured the market's attention given the plant’s versatility to produce it's BioactiveMAX™ Lactoferrin either as the new spray-dried product or in our traditional freeze-dried format.

The plant has been operating for nearly a year, and we are excited to unveil our new product, spray-dried lactoferrin, crafted to complement our renowned freeze-dried lactoferrin. Lactoferrin, a minor protein found in milk which is recognised for its reported health benefits such as immune defense and iron regulation, is in strong demand globally.

We have a proud record in producing our BioactiveMAX™ Lactoferrin. Over the past 23 years we have developed a well-earned reputation as a producer of a premier product of exceptional quality. We continue to fine-tune production of our new spray-dried addition to the bioactive family demonstrating our commitment to uncompromising quality. 

Designed with precision to deliver exceptional bioactivity and versatility, spray-dried BioactiveMAX™ Lactoferrin is perfectly suited for everyday applications such as infant formula, functional foods and beverages, and dietary supplements.

How the processes differ

Spray-dried BioactiveMAX™ Lactoferrin is produced by gently drying the liquid protein with heated air. This process is fast, scalable, and effective, making it a popular choice for large-scale production in the food industry.

Spray-drying allows for a consistent and defined distribution of particle size for optimised blending and uniformity in finished formulations. Its paler colour is less visible in powder blends and tablets, and its smooth particle surface provides excellent flow properties. The moisture content results in better compressibility capability.

Freeze-dried BioactiveMAX™ Lactoferrin is frozen at very low temperatures and then dried under vacuum through sublimation – a process that preserves the protein’s native structure and functionality. The result is a highly bioactive, crystalline granule with a reflective, brighter appearance, often visible as a ‘sparkle’ in powder blends.

Flexible particle size is achieved through milling which supports a wide range of applications including capsule filling. The rough milled particle surface ensures less losses and adherence to filling equipment.

You’ll often find freeze-dried lactoferrin in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products, advanced skincare and medical nutrition – anywhere where maximum effectiveness is non-negotiable. The lower moisture levels mean that there is a higher concentration of lactoferrin gram for gram.

Our commitment to our customers

At Westpro, we are committed to delivering bioactive ingredients that perform in the laboratory and in the market.

Having a facility that produces both spray-dried and freeze-dried lactoferrin offers a unique advantage for our customers – bringing together efficiency, flexibility, and the ability to supply a broad range of markets from a single site and offering customers options to best suit their applications.

Contact us to learn more about BioactiveMAX™ Lactoferrin.