Kerry has opened its expanded biotechnology manufacturing facility in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, significantly increasing its capacity to produce lactase enzymes at industrial scale for the global dairy industry. Supermarket Perimeter reported on the development, which was officially opened on 20 April 2026 in response to accelerating global demand for lactose-free and sugar-reduced dairy products.

The expansion strengthens Kerry's end-to-end enzyme platform by more closely linking advanced enzyme engineering and strain development with large-scale manufacturing. The Carrigaline site now works in closer coordination with Kerry's Global Innovation Centre and its biotechnology hub in Leipzig, Germany, shortening the transition from laboratory discovery to commercial production.

The facility supports more than 200 customers across over 80 countries, with lactase enzymes produced at the site already used to process more than two million tonnes of milk annually, reaching an estimated 28 million consumers worldwide.

Shane McGibney, president and CEO of biotechnology solutions and transformation at Kerry, said: "This investment translates decades of biotech research into scalable, real-world capability."

Ronan Moloney, vice president of enzymes at Kerry, said: "For our customers, this expansion is about execution as much as innovation. With increased manufacturing capacity in Carrigaline, combined with deep application expertise, we can support customers through enzyme selection, process optimisation and scaleup, reducing bottlenecks and strengthening supply continuity as they commercialise lactose-free and sugar-reduced dairy products."

Peter Burke, Ireland's minister for enterprise, tourism and employment, said: "Manufacturing sites like Carrigaline help move innovation towards scale and strengthen Ireland's position in advanced manufacturing."

The expanded facility positions Kerry to support the next phase of growth in lactose-free and reduced-sugar dairy, a category experiencing sustained global growth driven by consumer demand for digestive health and lower sugar intake.

Get the full details of Kerry's Carrigaline facility expansion here.