DETECHBio and Valio bring science-led infant nutrition to Vietnam’s growing market

When DETECHBio, a leading Vietnamese distributor of mother-and-baby products, set out to create a premium private-label infant nutrition range, they needed a partner with deep scientific expertise and reliable production. Valio’s dairy know-how and OEM experience made for a natural fit. Together, the companies developed the Vallac Mama and Kids formulas – an offering that DETECHBio presents to the market with a strong science story around MFGM and milk phospholipids.

At a glance: DETECHBio x Valio

• Launched in Vietnam in 2025, Vallac Mama and Kids support nutrition from pregnancy through early childhood.
• DETECHBio’s network spans ~70 distributors and ~3,000 retailers nationwide.
• Valio as DETECHBio’s OEM partner provided formulation, production, and regulatory documentation.
• To strengthen consumer trust, Vallac carries product liability insurance.
• Within two weeks of launch, distribution reached 40 distributors and 300 key retail locations across Vietnam.

An OEM partnership tailored to Vietnam’s formula market

Vietnam’s infant nutrition market is dynamic and fast-growing. According to DETECHBio, Vietnam records over 1.35 million births annually and has around four million children under the age of three. Vietnamese parents increasingly look for products with a clear scientific basis and trusted origin.

With a nationwide network of some 70 distributors and 3,000 retailers already in place, DETECHBio set out to introduce a premium range for mothers and young children that would meet local expectations for quality, safety, and transparency. With 120 years of dairy science, end-to-end OEM capabilities and a collaborative way of working, Valio proved to be the right fit.

From shared vision to a fruitful private label collaboration

The partnership took shape through mutual visits and deep technical work. Teams aligned on nutritional targets, ingredient choices, and regulatory pathways; DETECHBio’s leadership also visited Valio’s facilities in Finland, including the infant formula factory and a Valio farm, further strengthening trust, transparency and alignment on quality standards.

After signing a supply agreement, Valio supported DETECHBio through formulation, pilot runs, specifications and label documentation, stability and shelf-life work, and the process toward Vietnamese regulatory clearance. The result: a concept that moved efficiently to compliant products ready for market. As part of the development work, Valio created three Vietnam-tailored formulation options; after evaluation, DETECHBio chose the most premium option for launch.

“We were looking for a partner with a long-standing history, strong R&D capabilities, large-scale production, solid support, and open, reliable collaboration. Valio stood out because of its alignment with our vision,” says Hua Trung Hieu, Infant Milk Formula Project Director at DETECHBio.

Science-led formulation with MFGM and milk phospholipids

Valio brings long-standing expertise in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and milk phospholipids to the Vallac recipes. These naturally occurring milk components are well studied in the context of infant nutrition, and they inform the way we design formulas. Combined with Finnish manufacturing standards, traceable sourcing, and comprehensive documentation, the Vallac Mama and Kids range is built to meet parents’ expectations for credible, quality infant formula.

DETECHBio pairs this science-led approach with a strong focus on trust. To reinforce consumer protection and transparency, the company has implemented product liability insurance for the Vallac range and provides clear information and training for channel partners on formulation choices and quality controls.

Strong market entry and rapid traction

Following regulatory clearance, Vallac products arrived in Vietnam in 2025. The launch event in Hanoi, with representatives from the Embassy of Finland present, highlighted the partners’ shared commitment to quality and responsibility. The multi-channel launch campaign that followed delivered quick momentum: within two weeks, DETECHBio reports Vallac had reached 40 distributors and 300 key retail locations across the country – an early signal of strong market fit and execution.

“Beyond the open collaboration and the hands-on support from Valio, their core competence in nutrition science has given us credibility. Transparent information on manufacturing, research, and ingredients has been invaluable in building confidence among our stakeholders,” says Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, General Director at DETECHBio.

Looking ahead: shared values and future growth

With Vallac now available nationwide, DETECHBio and Valio will continue co-creating solutions for mothers and children. DETECHBio’s next milestones include expanding availability toward ~600 shops, building brand recognition and preparing for further international growth. For Valio, the focus remains on bringing science-led formulations, robust documentation, and reliable production to partners who want to launch or scale premium infant nutrition ranges.

“This launch is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of both teams. We look forward to supporting DETECHBio as demand grows,” says SVP Timo Pajari, Business Unit Powders, at Valio.