CHINA – New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra has entered into a strategic research and development partnership with global vitamin and dietary supplements enterprise, By-Health.

The companies will focus on developing nutritional solutions for the health and wellness market through research and new product development that will deliver health benefits to consumers in China and globally.

The partnership will leverage on Fonterra’s innovation in functional dairy proteins, Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) and probiotics and By-Health’s involvement in vitamin and dietary supplements.

Fonterra has already established a specialized Sports and Active Lifestyle Nutrition unit to accelerate its growth in health and wellness nutrition while By-Health has acquired Life-Space Group to enable global expansion in dietary supplements.

The recent partnership follows both companies’ prior movements in advancing their growth strategies in the growing nutritional solution sector.

Globally the probiotics market is seeing significant growth. With the market valued at US$40 billion, Euromonitor forecasts the probiotics supplement segment alone to achieve 7% CAGR over the next five years.

Komal Mistry-Mehta, director at Fonterra said, “The growing consumer recognition of metabolic health, mental wellbeing and anti-ageing needs presents a significant opportunity for NZMP’s speciality nutrition ingredients, including dairy proteins, MFGM, and market leading probiotic super-strains.

“By-Health’s deep knowledge of and leadership in vitamin and dietary supplements market is a key advantage as we work to develop functional and effective solutions that help support people’s health and enable them to live the lifestyles they desire.”

Felix Zhang, By-Health research and development director added: “Our strategy of providing nutritional solutions for consumers is underpinned by our collaborative R&D partnerships with materials suppliers, scientific research institutions, medical institutions and other stakeholders to build the industry’s capabilities to provide superior nutrition.

 “Our strategic R&D partnership with Fonterra gives us access to valuable dairy nutrition expertise to develop high-quality and effective solutions for our customers.”