Kerry Group opens expanded biotechnology manufacturing facility in Cork

The investment is aimed at meeting rising global demand for lactose-free and reduced-sugar dairy products, a category that continues to grow as consumers seek options that support digestive health without compromising on taste.

The upgraded site will allow Kerry to scale production more quickly, while ensuring a consistent supply for dairy producers worldwide.

Shane McGibney, President and CEO of Biotechnology Solutions and Transformation at Kerry, said the development marks a key step in translating research into commercial capability.

He noted that closer integration between enzyme engineering and large-scale manufacturing will enable faster movement from lab innovation to market-ready solutions.

The Carrigaline expansion forms part of Kerry’s broader global enzyme platform, linking its Global Innovation Centre with specialist biotechnology operations, including its facility in Leipzig, Germany.

This network is designed to accelerate the journey from discovery to commercial application, positioning the Irish site as a critical production hub.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the investment highlights how industry and innovation can support the future of Ireland’s food and biotech sectors.

He added: “As a global leader in food, Kerry Group continues to play an important role in advancing high-value capability from its Irish base. Manufacturing sites like Carrigaline help move innovation towards scale and strengthen Ireland’s position in advanced manufacturing.”

Kerry says the expanded facility will also improve customer support by enabling faster and more resilient scale-up.

Ronan Moloney, Vice President of Enzymes, said the increased capacity will help reduce bottlenecks and ensure supply continuity as customers bring new dairy products to market.

“With increased manufacturing capacity in Carrigaline, combined with deep application expertise, we can support customers through enzyme selection, process optimization and scale‑up – reducing bottlenecks and strengthening supply continuity as they commercialize lactose‑free and sugar‑reduced dairy products,” Moloney said.

The Carrigaline site currently supports more than 200 customers across over 80 countries.

Lactase enzymes produced there are used in processing more than two million tonnes of milk annually, reaching an estimated 28 million consumers worldwide.

Enterprise Ireland also welcomed the development, highlighting Kerry as an example of an Irish-founded company driving global growth through innovation.

With the facility now operational, Kerry is positioning itself to support the next phase of growth in the global dairy sector, combining decades of expertise with expanded manufacturing capability.

* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.