A groundbreaking ceremony for Yili Group's lactoferrin factory in New Zealand is held on May 23. [Photo provided to en.hhhtnews.com]

New Zealand-based Westland Milk Products, a subsidiary of dairy giant Yili Group, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a lactoferrin factory in New Zealand on May 23.

The total investment of the project is NZ$70 million (302 million yuan). After it is completed and put into production, Yili Group will rank among the top three in the world in terms of lactoferrin production capacity.

A view of Westland Milk's plant in the town of Hokitika [Photo provided to en.hhhtnews.com]

Westland Milk Products, a long-standing player in the dairy industry, has been actively engaged in the production of lactoferrin raw materials for over two decades. As one of the pioneers in the field, it has gained distinction as one of the earliest companies globally to manufacture and market lactoferrin. The company's unwavering commitment to quality has garnered widespread acclaim, earning unanimous recognition from the global industry for its exceptional products.

The official launch of the project will build a more competitive development pattern for Yili and Westland, and is of great significance for deepening the global high value-added market layout and better meeting consumers' health needs.