Tirlán has announced a €126m investment in a state-of-the-art whey protein processing facility at its Ballyragget site in Kilkenny, Ireland. The project enhances facilities management capabilities across production, R&D, and operational oversight, positioning the site as a high-performance hub for whey-based product innovation.

The new facility will expand Tirlán’s capacity and flexibility, enabling the production of advanced nutritional whey protein products, including clear whey protein, which is gaining popularity in lifestyle nutrition markets. Facilities management will encompass production scheduling, equipment maintenance, quality control, and energy-efficient operations, supporting consistent high-volume output.

The development integrates environmental considerations into operational processes. The facility is designed to be water-neutral and carbon-efficient, aligning facilities management with sustainability objectives and enabling long-term operational cost optimisation. Advanced process monitoring and management systems will further streamline production workflows and maintenance routines.

R&D at Tirlán’s Innovation Centre will play a central role in utilising the new facilities to develop products driven by consumer insights. Facilities management functions will support research and innovation through laboratory coordination, pilot-scale production, and integration with full-scale manufacturing.

The investment reflects the company’s strategic focus on long-term operational efficiency and global competitiveness in whey protein nutrition. By centralising facilities management and production capabilities, Tirlán aims to meet growing international demand in sports nutrition, infant formula, lifestyle, and medical nutrition markets.

The facility is expected to be fully operational by mid-2027, with the Ballyragget site already recognised as one of Europe’s largest integrated dairy processing complexes. Facilities management teams will oversee the integration of new equipment, processes, and workforce, ensuring operational continuity and high standards of safety, quality, and efficiency.

Read more about Tirlán’s facilities management strategy and whey protein expansion in the full story.