Dairy and beverages
Dairy solutions where nutrition meets exceptional taste
For over 120 years, Valio has advanced dairy science — earning a Nobel Prize and introducing the world’s first lactose-free milk in 2001. Our high-quality ingredients and deep expertise help you formulate products that consumers love: naturally delicious, nutritionally rich, high protein, reduced sugar, and lactose free. Whether refining existing recipes or developing new concepts, Valio’s proven technologies and expert support ensure outstanding taste, texture, and functionality every time.
Digestive wellness and lactose free
Consumers seek digestive comfort without trade-offs
Digestive wellness and gut-friendly foods are driving strong market growth and opening new possibilities for innovation in dairy. With an estimated 70% of the global population affected by lactose intolerance, consumers are increasingly aware of how lactose free dairy can support digestive comfort. At the same time, whether lactose intolerant or not, people are unwilling to compromise on taste or nutritional value. This shift creates opportunities for manufacturers to develop premium lactose free products and new, differentiated offerings that deliver real and tangible benefits.
World-leading expertise in lactose free milk technology
Valio pioneered lactose free dairy and launched the world’s first lactose free milk in 2001. With more than 120 years of dairy science and deep expertise in milk fractionation, we help manufacturers develop lactose free products that taste authentic and have excellent texture and functionality. Our proven technologies, ingredients, and expert support make it easy to meet consumer expectations for wellbeing, naturality, and great taste – all without trade-offs.
Sugar reduction
Consumer trends and regulatory requirements drive innovation
Consumers increasingly seek healthier choices and actively reduce sugar in their diets, but they still expect dairy and beverages to deliver full, enjoyable flavour. At the same time, tightening regulations and sugar-related policies are pushing manufacturers to reformulate. Achieving meaningful sugar reduction while maintaining sweetness, mouthfeel, and a clean label can be technically challenging, especially when sugar contributes to texture, stability, or fermentation balance.
Less sugar without artificial sweeteners
Valio’s dairy processing solutions make it possible to reduce sugar and carbohydrate levels without sacrificing the sensory qualities consumers expect. Manufacturers can choose to lower total sugar while maintaining full, balanced flavour — or to increase perceived sweetness without adding more sugar. Our technical experts work closely with you to fine-tune recipes and optimize processing, ensuring excellent taste, texture, and stability.
High-protein
The high protein trend is still accelerating
Protein continues to be a major driver in dairy and beverages as consumers seek foods that support strength, satiety, and active lifestyles. However, increasing protein content often leads to gritty textures, off-notes, or challenges in processing and stability, all of which can compromise product appeal.
Versatile protein products without compromise
Drawing from decades of research in milk proteins, Valio offers protein-rich milk powders and MPC ingredients that enable smooth, clean-tasting, and stable high protein products. As protein continues to go mainstream, it can now be incorporated into everything from high protein milk and ready-to-drink beverages to snacks, drink powders, desserts and more. Valio’s milk-based solutions ensure excellent mouthfeel and reliable processing performance, helping you formulate high protein products that deliver strong nutritional value and an outstanding sensory experience.
Why choose Valio for dairy and beverages
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
Your product development is supported at every stage. Our experts are available to support formulation, process optimisation, and product testing, enabling you to move from concept to market-ready solutions that deliver reliable performance and meet consumer expectations.
Applications for dairy and beverages
Products for dairy and beverages
We specialize in delivering high-quality, fully traceable basic and functional ingredients that bring reliability, purity, and performance to your product development.
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.
Unlock the business potential of lactose free dairy
The global lactose free dairy market is set to grow 36% by 2026, reaching €13.5 billion. Beyond serving those with lactose intolerance, digestive wellness products are now seen as premium, value-added choices across categories.
Valio’s white paper explores how brands can tap into this opportunity with proven lactose free solutions, fast-track technologies, and go-to-market expertise.
Insights for dairy and beverages
Lactose free dairy is booming—here’s why that’s good for bus…
Lactose intolerance and digestive wellness: what food manufa…
Overcoming high-protein product development challenges with …
Paula Plathin
Growth opportunities in healthy snacking
Sara Helminen
Why milk protein is the smart choice for functional food inn…
Valio’s clinical study shows that protein-hydrolysed milk is…
Interested in further information?
Want to hear more about our business solutions and ingredients? To be connected with Valio Food Solution Sales, fill in the contact form. Our product experts will be happy to help you
