Ice cream, gelato and soft ice
Deliciously indulgent, smartly crafted ice cream solutions
Valio’s dairy solutions empower you to create ice cream, gelato, and soft ice products that stand out for their premium taste, smooth texture, and nutritional appeal. Whether you’re developing lactose free indulgences, reduced sugar recipes, or high protein frozen treats, our high-quality powders and deep dairy expertise give you everything you need to innovate and succeed in the frozen dessert category.
Taste and texture enhancement
Balancing sweetness, texture and stability
Today’s consumers expect indulgent frozen desserts with clean labels, natural sweetness, and a perfectly smooth texture. Achieving this balance can be challenging: manufacturers must deliver satisfying sweetness without relying on additives, while also preventing lactose crystallisation that can lead to graininess. At the same time, optimal scoopability and a consistently creamy mouthfeel are essential for a premium ice cream experience.
Naturally smooth, premium frozen desserts
Valio Eila® powders provide natural sweetness, clean taste, and reliable performance in frozen desserts helping you meet consumer expectations without compromise. Our lactose free options prevent lactose crystallisation and support a velvety, stable texture, while their functional properties improve scoopability and overall eating experience. With Valio’s expertise and high-quality ingredients, you can create ice creams, gelato, and soft ice products that are smooth, creamy, and irresistibly enjoyable.
Sugar reduction
Meeting demand for naturally reduced sugar frozen treats
Health-conscious consumers increasingly expect ice creams that deliver indulgent sweetness with less sugar without artificial sweeteners or compromises in taste and texture. Achieving this balance is difficult, as sugar plays a key role in both flavour and mouthfeel in frozen desserts.
Natural sweetness and smooth texture with Valio Eila®
Valio’s lactose hydrolysis process naturally enhances sweetness, enabling attractive “less sugar” claims while maintaining clean-label appeal. Valio Eila® milk powders support smooth, creamy textures even in reduced-sugar formulations, helping you create frozen treats that feel indulgent while meeting modern nutritional expectations.
Lactose free and digestive wellness
Promoting digestive wellness
Digestive wellness is a growing priority, and many consumers look to lactose free or low-lactose options for comfort. However, removing lactose can lead to crystallisation and textural challenges, affecting smoothness and overall indulgence.
Smooth, crystallisation-free lactose free indulgence
Valio Eila® lactose free milk powders allow you to craft ice creams that deliver rich flavour and a velvety mouthfeel while ensuring <0.01% lactose. Our expertise in optimising lactose crystal size prevents graininess and enhances creaminess opening opportunities for both fully lactose free and low-lactose frozen desserts that appeal to a broad audience.
High protein
More protein without compromising creaminess
High protein ice creams are gaining strong traction as consumers seek treats that balance indulgence and nutrition. Yet boosting protein levels often causes graininess, excessive firmness, or off-flavours, making it hard to maintain a desirable sensory profile.
Protein-rich indulgence
Valio’s protein-rich milk powders and MPC ingredients enable higher protein levels while preserving smooth, scoopable texture. Even at elevated protein content, Valio Eila® powders support clean taste, appealing mouthfeel, and lower fat and carbohydrate levels letting consumers feel good about indulging in your high protein creations.
Why choose Valio for ice cream
Unmatched dairy expertise
For more than 120 years, Valio has advanced the science of dairy, building a heritage of innovation backed by over 300 patents and a Nobel Prize. This deep expertise helps you create products with exceptional taste, texture, and functionality.
World-class Finnish milk
Our milk comes from Finland, where strict standards, full traceability, and exceptional purity allow you to build products with true premium value. Our producers work in one of the world’s cleanest environments, ensuring consistently high-quality raw materials.
End-to-end support
We partner with you throughout product development. Our experts offer guidance in formulation, process optimisation, and application testing, helping you create products that perform reliably and meet consumer expectations.
Applications for ice cream
Products for ice cream
A range of functional and basic ingredients for the formulation of ice cream, gelato, and soft ice.
Specialty milk powders
Label-friendly Valio Eila® ingredients for several applications. Reduced sugar, high-protein, or lactose free. Overcome your product formulation challenges and replace standard fresh milk or powder in recipes.
Milk powders
Valio SMP, WMP, and buttermilk powders. Pure Finnish milk combined with the most modern technology ensures these ingredients are of excellent quality.
Premium Valio butter
Fresh Finnish cream and world-class know-how – this is what makes our butter the best in the world, every season.
Demineralised whey powders
Nutritious, high-quality Valio DEMI™ whey powders are manufactured from fresh whey from our own local cheese plants.
Download leaflet to learn about ice cream opportunities
Our label-friendly solutions allow you to create delicious premium ice cream with enhanced texture and taste. In addition, the solution allows desirable nutrition benefits like less sugar, lactose free, and high protein using our label-friendly ingredients.
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Interested in further information?
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