As the name suggests, whey powder is produced when dairy processing companies curdle milk to make cheese; the solid portion forms the cheese. The liquid portion that drains off forms the whey. This liquid contains minerals, lactose, and high-quality proteins. By spray-drying this liquid into a granular form, it is used in a wide range of applications—from the food industry to sports nutrition and even as an additive in animal feed—due to its high nutritional value. While the nutritional value of this dried product is preserved and its shelf life is extended, it has played a key role in global trade across continents for years, particularly due to its protein content.
The production process consists of several stages. First, the whey formed beneath the cheese is filtered to separate unwanted particles and fat. It is then processed through stages such as ultrafiltration and microfiltration to extract the protein content. The product is subsequently categorized based on its intended use.
1-WPC (whey protein concentrate)
2-WPI (whey protein isolate)
3-WPH (whey protein hydrolysate)
In the final stage, the liquid whey is converted into a powder using a method called “spray drying.” This preserves the product’s nutritional value, significantly extends its shelf life, and makes it suitable for industrial use.
In the final stage, liquid whey is converted into a powder using a method called “spray drying.” This preserves the product’s nutritional value, significantly extends its shelf life, and makes it suitable for industrial use.
Whey powder is used in sports supplements (whey protein), infant formula, baked goods (bread, cake, pastries), dairy products (yogurt, ice cream), the chocolate and confectionery industry (protein bars, cookies), meat products (sausage, salami), the food industry (instant soups, seasoned sauces), the cosmetics and health sectors (skin moisturizers, skin rejuvenation), the pharmaceutical industry (blood sugar regulators), animal feed additives (calf milk replacers, pig feed), and in agriculture (plant nutrient enhancers).