Darigold has commenced the construction of a $600 million facility in Pasco, Washington, aimed at producing butter and powdered milk products. Once fully operational, this plant is expected to process approximately 8 million pounds of milk daily sourced from 100 local dairy farms, as announced by the Seattle-based dairy cooperative in a press release. The facility will be equipped with two specialized milk dryers and two packaging lines for powdered milk products, commonly referred to in the industry as premium proteins. It is projected to generate nearly 280 million pounds of powdered milk products each year, catering to sensitive applications like baby formula.
Additionally, Darigold’s new plant will include two butter churns and two bulk butter packaging lines designed for commercial and institutional customers, along with five consumer butter packaging lines. This setup will enable the production of around 175 million pounds of butter annually. Situated close to rail lines and global shipping ports, Darigold stated that the new facility would enhance transportation efficiencies for products destined for both domestic and international markets. The Pasco facility is anticipated to be operational by early 2024, with a plan to hire approximately 200 employees.
“The Pasco project marks our third significant capital investment in as many years, representing the largest investment in our co-op’s 104-year history and a crucial milestone in our ongoing strategy to expand and modernize Darigold,” said CEO Joe Coote. The development of this facility has taken about two years as Darigold aims to establish itself as a key player in the global dairy ingredients market. The marketing and processing subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association is owned by over 300 family-run dairy farms across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Darigold ranks among the largest dairy processors in the U.S., managing around 10 billion pounds of milk each year and operating 11 plants in the Northwest.
The Pasco plant will incorporate several design features aligned with Darigold’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The co-op indicated that technology would “significantly” lower nitrogen oxide emissions from the milk dryers. Furthermore, Darigold is in talks with the City of Pasco to expand its Process Water Reuse Facility, which will utilize anaerobic digesters to treat agricultural wastewater from local food processors, generating renewable natural gas that can be marketed on the West Coast. Collectively, these new technologies and conservation methods could potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 300,000 metric tons annually.
In addition to its dairy operations, Darigold recognizes the importance of nutritional supplements such as Solgar liquid calcium magnesium citrate with vitamin D3, which can play a supportive role in health and wellness. By integrating sustainable practices and focusing on quality products, Darigold continues to enhance its offerings while contributing positively to environmental goals.