Darigold inks partnership with Actus Nutrition
Darigold Inc. and Actus Nutrition announced a strategic partnership that combines Darigold's dairy production scale and Actus's specialty protein expertise to unlock "new value across the commercial supply chain."
The partnership is built on two components, involving Darigold's facilities in Jerome, Idaho and Sunnyside, Wash. In Jerome, Actus will purchase and assume operation of Darigold's milk protein plant with continued quality milk supply from Darigold's member-owners. In Sunnyside, Darigold will produce and supply high-value whey products to Actus under a long-term commercial agreement. Darigold will continue to own and operate the Sunnyside facility.
The transition of the Jerome facility to Actus is expected to be completed by mid-June. No financial terms of the agreements have been disclosed.
Together, these arrangements are designed to connect Darigold's members' milk to the large and growing premium specialty ingredients markets, preserve a long-term secure home for member-owners' milk, and support the employees who have built the Jerome facility.
"Our partnership with Actus Nutrition allows Darigold to maintain focus on our core business of processing our members' milk and serving our customers here in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, while participating in the growing market for specialty protein ingredients," said Amy Humphreys, President and Chief Executive Officer of Darigold. "This partnership brings specialized expertise that complements our strong capabilities and will deliver long-term value for our member-owners."
"We continue to see strong global demand for high-quality dairy proteins, and this partnership accelerates our ability to meet that demand," said David Lenzmeier, CEO of Actus Nutrition. "The reliability of Darigold's manufacturing operations and the quality of its member-owners' milk make Darigold an excellent partner as we position ourselves to grow with our customers. Together, we are creating a more connected and efficient supply chain that supports innovation and delivers greater value to customers and farmer-owners alike."
Darigold will also have a speaker at the upcoming Membrane Technology Forum:
Ultrafiltered Milk as a Platform for Consumer-Driven Dairy Innovation
Membrane filtration technologies are reshaping how the dairy industry approaches composition control, functionality, and product innovation. Ultrafiltration (UF), in particular, enables processors to concentrate proteins while reducing lactose, minerals, and water—creating a versatile base for value-added dairy products.
Poonkodi Tamilmani, director of innovation, Darigold Inc. will talk about the following: As consumer demand shifts toward high-protein, reduced-sugar, and clean-label foods, ultrafiltered milk offers a flexible platform to meet these expectations while maintaining the natural nutritional benefits of dairy. By adjusting the balance of key components, UF supports innovation across fluid milk, ready-to-drink beverages, cultured dairy, and nutritional products.
This presentation will explore how ultrafiltration enables consumer-driven dairy innovation by connecting membrane technology with evolving market trends. It will highlight the compositional and functional advantages of ultrafiltered milk and discuss how processors can leverage these capabilities to expand product portfolios using well-established, non-proprietary approaches.
Poonkodi Tamilmani leads innovation initiatives at Darigold Inc., focused on developing value-added dairy products. She specializes in applying technologies such as ultrafiltration and aseptic processing to create high-protein, clean-label products aligned with evolving consumer needs. With over a decade of experience, she brings a strong ability to translate complex food science into practical, scalable solutions that bridge consumer needs with manufacturing realities.
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