Arla Foods' Landmark Investment in UK Dairy Sector
Sourse: dairynews.today
Arla Foods celebrates 50 years at Lockerbie with a £144 million investment in its dairy facilities, enhancing cheddar production and establishing new initiatives for sustainable growth.
Arla Foods, the UK's largest dairy cooperative, commemorates five decades of cheese production at its Lockerbie facility by announcing a significant £144 million investment. Since its inception in 1975, the Lockerbie site has evolved into one of the UK's largest cheese-making facilities. Currently, it processes over 600 million litres of milk annually, producing 200 million litres of fresh bottled milk and 42,000 tonnes of cheese, sufficient for approximately 840 million cheese sandwiches.
This substantial financial commitment includes an already allocated £34 million for enhancing cheddar production facilities. Additionally, £90 million will be invested to expand the site, establishing a new Centre of Excellence dedicated to the production of UHT and lacto-free milk for the UK market. Another £20 million funding is nearing completion for an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant.
This plant aims to transform whey permeate waste, a by-product of cheese making, into renewable energy by supplying bio-methane into the gas grid, capable of heating more than 2,600 average UK homes annually. Fran Ball, SVP of UK Supply Chain at Arla Foods, emphasized the growth potential: "This is a landmark moment for Lockerbie. As we celebrate 50 years of production, we’re also unlocking the site’s next era with significant investment to power future growth."
Mairi Gougeon MSP highlighted the regional impact: "This is not just a proud moment for Arla, but for the Lockerbie community and the wider South of Scotland region." The initiative not only underscores Arla's commitment to innovation and sustainability but also provides an economic boost and 90 new roles for the local community, reinforcing the future of Scotland’s dairy sector.
This substantial financial commitment includes an already allocated £34 million for enhancing cheddar production facilities. Additionally, £90 million will be invested to expand the site, establishing a new Centre of Excellence dedicated to the production of UHT and lacto-free milk for the UK market. Another £20 million funding is nearing completion for an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant.
This plant aims to transform whey permeate waste, a by-product of cheese making, into renewable energy by supplying bio-methane into the gas grid, capable of heating more than 2,600 average UK homes annually. Fran Ball, SVP of UK Supply Chain at Arla Foods, emphasized the growth potential: "This is a landmark moment for Lockerbie. As we celebrate 50 years of production, we’re also unlocking the site’s next era with significant investment to power future growth."
Mairi Gougeon MSP highlighted the regional impact: "This is not just a proud moment for Arla, but for the Lockerbie community and the wider South of Scotland region." The initiative not only underscores Arla's commitment to innovation and sustainability but also provides an economic boost and 90 new roles for the local community, reinforcing the future of Scotland’s dairy sector.
