DMK Group Invests €55 Million in German Dairy Plant Expansion
DMK Group, a leading German dairy cooperative, has announced a significant investment of approximately €55 million to expand its dairy plant located in Edewecht, Germany. This development is part of the company’s long-term strategic goals and its anticipated merger with Arla Foods, as stated by DMK's CEO, Ingo Müller.
The investment includes €26 million allocated for a new whey protein concentrate 80 (WPC80) facility, which will have a production capacity of up to 7,000 tonnes. This expansion is aimed at enhancing DMK's focus on high-growth international markets for premium milk proteins. Additionally, €15 million will be directed towards expanding the plant's packaging and logistics operations.
A further €15 million is designated for upgrading an existing drying tower and implementing energy and emissions-reduction measures. These include the electrification of operations, adoption of heat-pump technology, and waste-heat recovery systems. These measures are part of DMK’s commitment to resource efficiency and sustainability.
Ingo Müller commented on the investment, stating, “Through investments in modern production capacity, the expansion of our packaging operations, and energy and resource efficiency, we are actively shaping our vision of the dairy of the future. Particularly with a view to the planned merger with Arla, these strategic steps demonstrate our capabilities and make us ideal partners.”
The merger with Arla, first announced in April last year, aims to create Europe’s largest dairy cooperative, combining over 12,000 farmers across seven countries. The deal is currently under regulatory review and is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2026, according to DMK’s 2025 results released in April.
Petra Knetemann, the mayor of Edewecht, expressed support for the investment, highlighting its importance for local employment and economic strength. In 2025, DMK reported revenues of €5.3 billion, a slight increase from the previous year, while net profits decreased by 2.4% to €24 million.
Earlier this month, DMK also launched a €25 million lactoferrin plant in Altentreptow, marking its entry into the milk-protein segment for nutrition, health, and pharmaceutical markets. The commercial launch of lactoferrin powder is planned for this autumn.
