
At Proliant Dairy Ingredients, sustainability is integral to everything we do. By upcycling dairy co-products into valuable ingredients, we minimize waste, enhance resource efficiency and strengthen the circular economy while contributing to a more efficient food system.
Our Commitment Includes:

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Upcycling Co-products: We transform dairy co-products that would otherwise go unused into functional, high-value ingredients for food.
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Comprehensive Footprint Assessment of Whey Permeate: Conducted with MyCarbon (a Carbon Green Ltd brand), this ISO-aligned cradle-to-gate LCA determined a carbon footprint of 1,301 kg CO2e per tonne for our spray-dried whey permeate, produced at our Melrose, MN, and St. Johns, MI, facilities. Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions were analyzed across our operations and supply chain, underscoring our commitment to transparency and measurable decarbonization.
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Optimizing Energy Use: By implementing heat recovery systems that capture and reuse heat from our dryers and investing in solar energy, we’re reducing emissions and driving energy efficiency.
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Water Stewardship: We prioritize water recycling by reusing water within our own processes and supplying additional recycled water to our partner for their operations. These efforts reflect our commitment to maximizing water efficiency and minimizing waste.
Building Transparency & Trust
For over 20 years, Proliant has added value through upcycling dairy ingredients. Now, with rigorous third-party assessments conducted under ISO 14040/44 and ISO 14067, we are setting a transparent baseline and demonstrating leadership in sustainable dairy ingredient production.
What this means for you:

VERIFIED
DATA
Third-party assessments deliver transparent, trustworthy carbon metrics you can confidently use in corporate reporting, supply chain initiatives, and procurement strategies.

COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHT
Our cradle-to-gate assessment captures upstream emissions—including raw materials, logistics, and processing—providing a complete picture of environmental impact.

TRANSPARENCY
We go beyond reporting by meeting rigorous standards and supporting your sustainability goals with actionable, high-quality data.

SUSTAINABLE INGREDIENTS
Our upcycling process lowers environmental impact while creating value-rich, functional ingredients for your products.

INFORMED
DECISIONS
Reliable benchmarks empower you to make both immediate and long-term improvements throughout your supply chain.
Delivering Data-Driven Sustainability
Our sustainability mission goes beyond theory—it’s about achieving measurable, impactful results. By upcycling dairy co-products like whey permeate and applying scientific innovation, we maximize resource efficiency. Backed by credible metrics and first-party assurance, we deliver transparency and trust every step of the way.
Our Sustainability Initiatives
Waste Reduction
Whey permeate is a co-product of cheese production. Utilizing it helps reduce waste by turning what would otherwise be discarded into a valuable resource.
Nutrient Recycling
It contains lactose, vitamins, and minerals, which can be used as feed for livestock or in food products. This recycling of nutrients supports a circular economy.
Lower Environmental Impact
By using whey permeate in food products, the overall environmental footprint of dairy production can be reduced, as it lessens the need for additional feed sources.
We are proud to be part of the US Dairy Stewardship Commitment, a voluntary initiative that promotes sustainability leadership within the dairy community. This initiative aligns and quantifies industry efforts in key areas such as environmental stewardship and animal care, reinforcing U.S. dairy's longstanding values of responsible production, community nourishment, and continuous improvement.
