Arla Foods Ingredients Trading (Beijing) Co., Ltd. is the Chinese subsidiary of Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S, a global leader in high-quality dairy-based functional ingredients. Based in Beijing, this entity serves as a key bridge between Arla Foods’ innovation hubs in Europe and the rapidly expanding Chinese and Asia-Pacific markets. Arla Foods Ingredients is owned by the Danish-Swedish dairy cooperative Arla Foods and is internationally recognized for its scientifically backed whey protein solutions and dairy-derived bioactive compounds.
Core Business
The core business of Arla Foods Ingredients Trading (Beijing) Co., Ltd. revolves around the distribution, technical support, and localization of Arla’s advanced dairy ingredients portfolio. It serves food, nutrition, pharmaceutical, and infant formula manufacturers with high-performance whey and milk-based ingredients that meet global and Chinese regulatory standards.
The Beijing office focuses on business development, sales, regulatory support, and partnerships with local manufacturers, enabling the company to deliver tailor-made nutritional solutions to the Chinese market.
Product & Service Offerings
Arla Foods Ingredients Beijing distributes a wide range of whey and milk-derived functional ingredients, categorized across various applications:
Early Life Nutrition
- Alpha-lactalbumin – key protein in human milk; supports infant brain development and digestion
- Beta-lactoglobulin – nutrient-dense milk protein
- Osteopontin (OPN) – supports immune and cognitive development in infants
Medical Nutrition
- Whey protein concentrate (WPC)
- Whey protein isolate (WPI)
- Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) – easy-to-digest proteins for clinical and recovery nutrition
Sports Nutrition
- Lacprodan® Whey Protein Concentrates and Isolates – muscle recovery, strength, and endurance support
- Hydrolysates for fast absorption and low allergenicity
Health & Functional Foods
- Protein ingredients for senior nutrition, functional beverages, meal replacements, and weight management
Bakery & Dairy Applications
- Nutrilac® functional dairy proteins for improving texture, shelf-life, and nutrition in yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and baked goods
Affordable Nutrition
- Nutritionally dense and cost-efficient protein solutions for emerging markets and mass market products
Specialisation and Core USP
Arla Foods Ingredients Beijing leverages:
- Arla’s scientific leadership in whey and milk protein innovation
- Advanced processing techniques such as membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, and enzymatic hydrolysis
- Strong clinical documentation and regulatory compliance, especially in infant and medical nutrition sectors
- A global-to-local strategy for adapting products to China’s specific nutritional needs and tastes
Arla’s patented proteins such as Osteopontin and Lacprodan® Alpha-10 give the company a unique advantage in the high-growth, premium nutrition segments.
Financials
Arla Foods Ingredients globally reports annual revenues exceeding EUR 850 million as of 2023. While subsidiary-level figures for the Beijing branch are not publicly disclosed, China is one of the group’s top growth markets, with sales in the region growing in double digits annually.
The company invests heavily in R&D partnerships and regulatory engagement in China to capture demand in early life nutrition, active lifestyle, and clinical nutrition markets.
Shipment Data
According to global trade data and Arla’s own distribution network:
- Arla Foods Ingredients products are exported from Denmark and Germany to China under strict cold-chain and GMP conditions
- Commonly shipped products:
- Alpha-lactalbumin
- Lacprodan® whey protein hydrolysates
- Nutrilac® functional dairy proteins
- Delivered primarily to infant formula manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and functional food brands
Target Market
Arla Foods Ingredients Beijing targets:
- Infant formula manufacturers
- Nutraceutical and dietary supplement brands
- Sports and active lifestyle nutrition companies
- Medical nutrition companies
- Functional dairy and bakery manufacturers
The company also partners with local R&D institutes and formulation labs to co-develop localized applications tailored to Chinese consumer preferences.
Capabilities
- Deep portfolio of clinically validated dairy protein solutions
- Regulatory compliance for SAMR, GB standards, Codex, and EFSA
- Multinational supply chain management with full traceability
- Application centers in Asia-Pacific for co-innovation
- Product customization for flavor, solubility, heat stability, and digestibility
Certifications & Compliance
Arla Foods Ingredients maintains a strong compliance and certification profile:
- ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000
- GMP and HACCP certified facilities
- Halal and Kosher certification
- Compliant with China GB Standards for Infant and Clinical Nutrition
- Products supported by GRAS notifications, Novel Food approvals, and EU-authorized claims
Major Achievements
- World’s largest producer of whey-based infant formula ingredients
- Pioneered the development of Lacprodan® OPN-10, the world’s first OPN ingredient for infant nutrition
- Expanded R&D partnerships in China, including collaborations with leading Chinese dairy brands
- Arla’s Beijing subsidiary recognized as a strategic supplier by top Chinese nutritional manufacturers
- Continued growth in China’s high-end nutrition sectors driven by premium formulations
Customer Testimonials
“Arla’s proteins deliver unmatched consistency and clinical support for our pediatric nutrition lines.” – Director of R&D, Chinese Infant Formula Manufacturer
“We’ve partnered with Arla Beijing to develop high-end whey protein drinks tailored to Asian taste preferences. Their technical support and ingredient quality are top-tier.” – Product Innovation Lead, Functional Beverage Company
