Valio is investing EUR 70 million in Seinäjoki production plant

Valio is investing approximately EUR 70 million to modernise and overhaul the Seinäjoki production plant. The investments cover the construction of a new washing centre for the powder plant, modernisation of the powder plant’s drying tower and process overhaul, as well as construction of a new regional laboratory facility at the Seinäjoki site. The set of investments is scheduled for 2023–2026. The investments will increase the production plant’s capacity and improve operational and energy efficiency.  

Valio’s Seinäjoki plant is one of Valio’s most diverse in terms of its product range and one of the largest in terms of milk processing volume. Among the products produced at Seinäjoki are all Valio butters, Valio Oivariini® spreads, quark, cottage cheeses, Valio Profeel® quarks and puddings, and specialty milk powders for industrial customers.  

“The significant investments in the plant and the regional laboratory operations will secure Seinäjoki’s diverse production of fresh products, fats and industrial powders well into the future and strengthen Valio’s profitability and employment capabilities in the Seinäjoki region,” says Seinäjoki Plant Director Jari Sivunen. 

New multipurpose tower will bring added production capacity for specialty milk powders 

The overhaul of the drying process at the powder plant, which will begin in autumn 2024, will provide additional production capacity for the specialty milk powders produced in Seinäjoki, which are a key element of Valio’s strategy. More than 80% of the milk powders are exported. The Seinäjoki plant produces specialty milk powders mainly for international industrial customers who use them to make confections, bakery products and baby food, among other things. Specialty milk powders can be used to make products that are, e.g., lactose-free, high in protein, lower in sugar and yet of an excellent texture.  

The new multipurpose tower and the process upgrade will give the plant added production capacity for both conventional and specialty milk powders. The modern technology will also improve the energy efficiency of the powder production process. The investment will be completed by the end of 2026. 

New washing centre will reduce water consumption and chemical use 

The Seinäjoki powder plant’s washing centre will be modernised along with the reception of the raw chemicals used in the washing process. The new washing centre will be operational by the end of 2025. The new washing centre will take care of the powder plant’s washing process, recycle the washing water used in the plant’s production process, and serve as a reception point for the washing chemicals. 

“A modern washing centre recovers almost 90% of the washing chemicals, and they can be reused. This significantly reduces chemical use, water consumption, and the volume of wastewater at the production plant,” notes Jari Sivunen. 

New laboratory facilities  

The regional laboratory attached to the Seinäjoki plant is where the composition and quality of the milk from every Valio farm is analysed. The laboratory also carries out all the analyses required for the Valio Seinäjoki plant’s production. 

“The old laboratory facilities have reached the end of their useful life. The completely new laboratory building now under construction will be completed by the end of 2024. The Seinäjoki plant is an important flagship export factory for Valio. Modern laboratory facilities are essential for the quality control of products so that we can meet the ever-increasing demands of our customers,” says Jari Sivunen. 

The laboratory analyses, among other things, feed samples sent in by Valio’s milk producers and cooperatives. Each year, 1.7 million samples are analysed – an unmatched number on a Finnish scale. 

In 2023, the Seinäjoki plant received about 25% of milk produced by Valio’s dairy farms. There are a total of three production plants at the Seinäjoki site: powder, fat, and fresh product plants. Every year, approximately 130 million kilos of fresh products, powders and fats are produced in Seinäjoki. Nearly 60% of the plant’s production is exported. The plant is a significant employer regionally, employing some 450 industry professionals in a variety of positions such as packaging, manufacturing, laboratory, maintenance, and various specialist and managerial roles. 

Further information:

Valio Mediadesk mediadesk@valio.fi

Valio is a Finnish food company founded in 1905. Valio is owned by 3,400 Finnish dairy farmers through cooperatives. We pay out our operating profit to the dairy farms. The Valio brand is a promise of first-class quality and responsibility. Valio’s sales in 2023 were EUR 2,3 million.

We are Finland’s biggest food exporter and a trailblazer for the whole food industry. We export our consumer and industrial products to approximately 50 countries. We are an owner in Oddlygood, a company focusing on plant-based products. Our Valio Aimo® wholesale business serves hotels, restaurants and catering services, bakeries, and customers in the public sector and food industry all around Finland. Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, a joint venture we established with energy company St1, is boosting the circular economy by producing biogas from dairy farm manure. In all, we employ 4,200 people.

Our goal is to cut the carbon footprint of milk to zero by 2035. We are reducing emissions, growing carbon sinks and creating circular economy solutions. We are improving animal welfare, and we are working to increase biodiversity.

We bring taste experiences, variety and joy to the dining table and professional kitchens. At the same time, we are building wellbeing and making sure that we will have locally produced food also in the future. Innovativeness and drive for renewal have brought us at Valio together for over a hundred years − ever since Nobel laureate A.I. Virtanen headed Valio’s product development. Our mission is to make life better

Valio – Together we make life better.