Lactalis Canada has announced plans to convert its Sudbury, Ontario, milk operations into a modern plant-based production facility.

The conversion will enable Lactalis to grow its plant-based portfolio, which currently includes products such as Sensational Soy, Lactantia margarine and Siggi’s coconut-based yogurt alternative.

“While our core business is dairy, as an innovation leader and as demonstrated by our forthcoming expansion into plant-based, we are constantly following the consumer and continually seeking opportunities to innovate and respond to the market,” said Mark Taylor, president & CEO, Lactalis Canada.

He continued: “Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians and this holds the same for our new offering which will provide consumers with complementary high-quality plant-based products that will benefit from our current capacity and capabilities as well as our rich and long-standing dairy expertise”.

The news follows Lactalis Canada’s decision to cease milk operations at its Sudbury plant, effective September 30 2022. The company cited “unprofitability in the fluid milk market in Ontario” as a core reason for the announcement.

Lactalis will continue to operate its refrigerated warehouse in Sudbury and will retain the majority of its workforce during the transition to a plant-based facility.

“We assure all consumers and customers that there will be no disruption to product supply or service as milk processing from Sudbury will transfer to Lactalis Canada’s other fluid plants in Ontario and Quebec,” added Taylor. “Dairy will always remain an essential and economical part of a balanced, healthy diet and as such, we are committed to continuing to make products that are available and accessible for all Canadians.”

More details on the expansion will be announced in the coming months.

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