EPI Ingredients

What EPI Ingredients does

EPI Ingredients is a French B2B manufacturer of powdered dairy ingredients, operating as the brand of the dry ingredients division of Laïta, a western France dairy cooperative subsidiary of Even that transforms milk from Even, Terrena, and Eureden farmer cooperatives. The company produces seven core product categories: casein and caseinates (including proprietary extrusion-produced caseinates at 95% protein), Epilac fermented yogurt powders (including kefir and skyr variants), milk powders (Low/Medium/High Heat classified by WPNI), sweet and demineralized whey powders (40/70/90% demineralization), butter powders (including a Clean Label reference), buttermilk powder, and milk/whey permeate. Manufacturing relies on spray drying, freeze-drying, extrusion, membrane filtration (MF, UF, Nano), reverse osmosis, and UHT treatment, with patented SoCrispies technology for extruded crispy protein as a recent addition.

The company's core technology differentiators are its proprietary extrusion process for caseinates (enabling high-concentration neutralization with minimal water and superior functional properties) and its patented SoCrispies technology co-developed with an extrusion specialist. All products are 100% French-origin with controlled traceability from milk collected within 100km of production sites, supported by the Laïta cooperative's 4 high-performance manufacturing plants and a Passion du Lait CSR framework launched in 2015.

EPI Ingredients generates revenue through direct B2B sales of bulk dairy ingredients to industrial food manufacturers across six application verticals: dairy products, ice cream, bakery and pastry, savory products, chocolate and confectionery, and beverages. Pricing is quote-based on bulk orders with no public pricing disclosed. Go-to-market combines annual participation at Food Ingredients Europe (FIE), a dedicated sales team responding to inquiries via a website contact form, content marketing (blog, podcast, LinkedIn), and earned media coverage in food industry publications like FoodBev. The customer base is industrial B2B only; no named customer logos are publicly disclosed. The company obtained GMP+ certification in 2024 and holds a single filed-pending patent for SoCrispies. Ownership is fully cooperative via Laïta/Even with no external venture capital or private equity involvement.

Name

EPI Ingredients

Legal name

EPI INGREDIENTS

Website

https://epi-ingredients.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EPI Ingredients is the dry ingredients brand of French dairy cooperative Laïta, manufacturing powdered dairy ingredients (caseinates, yogurt, milk, whey, butter powders) for industrial food manufacturers across dairy, ice cream, bakery, savory, confectionery, and beverage verticals globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Ingredients

NAICS

Dry, Condensed, and Evaporated Dairy Product Manufacturing (311514), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Milk Powder, Condensed & Evaporated Milk Manufacturing (AFAKAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yogurt & Cultured Dairy Products Manufacturing (Kefir, Sour Cream, Labneh) (AFAKAKAC), Dairy-Based Frozen Dessert Mixes & Bases Manufacturing (Industrial/Private Label) (AFAHAEAI)

Keywords

• Dairy ingredient powders
• Milk powder manufacturing
• Casein and caseinates
• Whey powder production
• Butter powder supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-géréon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. B2B Dairy Ingredient Sales: EPI Ingredients generates revenue through the sale of dairy-based powdered ingredients to food manufacturers and processors. Their products serve as functional and nutritional ingredients in a wide range of food applications including dairy products, ice cream, chocolate, confectionery, bakery, savory products, and beverages. The company operates as a B2B supplier selling bulk quantities to industrial food manufacturers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EPI Ingredients manufactures and supplies powdered dairy ingredients (casein/caseinates, fermented yogurt powders, milk powders, whey powders, butter powders, buttermilk powder, and milk/whey permeate) in bulk to industrial food manufacturers worldwide. The company operates as the dry ingredients division of French dairy cooperative Laïta, processing milk from Even, Terrena, and Eureden farmer cooperatives within a 100 km radius of its production sites.

Product overview

EPI Ingredients is a dairy ingredient manufacturer and supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of powdered dairy products for food processing and food manufacturing industries. The product range centers around seven main categories: Casein-Caseinates (acid caseins, sodium and calcium caseinates produced via extrusion), Epilac Yogurt and Fermented Powders (including yogurt, kefir, and skyr powders), Milk Powders (Low/Medium/High Heat categorized by WPNI), Whey Powders (sweet whey, demineralized whey at 40/70/90%), Butter Powders (standard and Clean Label), Buttermilk Powder, and Milk/Whey Permeate. These ingredients serve diverse applications including dairy products, ice creams, chocolate and confectionery, bakery and baked goods, savory products, and beverages. All products are 100% French-origin with controlled traceability from milk collected within 100km of production sites. The company is the dry ingredients division of Laïta Group, part of the Even cooperative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Casein and Caseinates Milk protein products including acid caseins and caseinates (sodium, calcium, potassium). Acid caseins are obtained through milk acidification and provide functional qualities for texture and water retention. Caseinates are manufactured via extrusion process, offering 95% protein content, low lactose, and excellent emulsifying, viscosity, and foaming properties for food manufacturers.
• Epilac Yogurt and Fermented Powders A complete range of premium fermented yogurt powders offering functional, nutritional, and organoleptic benefits without refrigeration constraints. Includes standard yogurt powders, extra sour yogurt powder, organic yogurt powder, kefir powder, and skyr powder, with options for adjustable acidity, organic certification, and active or inactive flora.
• Milk Powders 100% French-origin skimmed milk powders manufactured by spray drying, available in Low Heat (WPNI > 6 mg N/g, for solubilization, gelling, and emulsification), Medium Heat (1.5 < WPNI < 6 mg N/g, for ice creams and acidified products), and High Heat (WPNI < 1.5 mg N/g, for pastry, baked goods, and deli meats) variants, including instant granulated, native/unstandardized, and low spores/UHT grade options.
• Sweet Whey Powders Sweet whey powders derived from Emmental cheese production, obtained by skimming, pasteurizing, concentrating, and spray drying liquid whey. Features slightly sweet taste, pH ~6.5, with >11% proteins, >73% lactose, and <8.5% minerals, providing emulsification, foaming, smoothness, and solubility properties for bakery, ice cream, dairy, and chocolate applications.
• Demineralized Whey Powders Natural dairy ingredient made from fresh pasteurized whey from acid casein production. Demineralization performed via reverse osmosis and nano-filtration. Available in 40-50% demineralization (food applications), 70% (food and infant applications), and 90% (infant applications). The 40% variant offers low mineral content, high lactose, and neutral dairy taste without bitterness, suitable for chocolate, confectionery, processed cheese, and dairy products.
• Butter Powders Butter powder ingredients containing 90% butter, offering 100% natural milk fat and clean label options. Two references: Butter Powder 75/9 (butter emulsified with dairy protein and emulsifier, 75% fat, 9% protein) and Butter Powder 814 Clean Label (butter emulsified only with dairy protein, no additives). Ideal for bakery, pastry, mixes, premixes, savory sauces, and ready-made dishes, with shelf life of 12 months without refrigeration.
• Buttermilk Powder Co-product from butter production with composition close to skimmed milk (6% fat). Rich in whey proteins, lactose, minerals, phospholipids, and polar fatty acids. Offers emulsifying, stabilizing, water retention, and browning properties. 100% Natural, Clean Label with neutral dairy taste, good foaming and emulsifying properties, used in sauces, dressings, charcuterie, ice creams, and bakery applications.
• Milk and Whey Permeate Co-product from membrane concentration of milk or whey, primarily consisting of lactose and minerals. Used as filling agent and protein standardization agent. The lactose content promotes browning (Maillard reaction) in bakery applications. Features easy use with low hygroscopy, good fluidity, dairy extract, cost optimization, and neutral dairy taste and odor.

Quantifiable outcome

• Butter powder storage life up to 12 months without refrigeration
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LaïtacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009EPI Ingredients is the brand of the dry ingredients division of Laïta, a cooperative company based in western France. Laïta transforms milk from farmers of Even, Terrena and Eureden cooperatives. This partnership provides EPI Ingredients with access to high-quality French milk and comprehensive dairy processing capabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Glanbia Nutritionals: Producer of whey proteins, milk proteins, and customized dairy ingredient solutions for nutrition, food, and beverage manufacturers. Comparable position as B2B dairy protein specialty supplier.
• Arla Foods Ingredients: Specialized B2B division of Arla Foods producing whey protein fractions, milk powders, caseins, and lactose for food, nutrition, and infant formula manufacturers. Closest large-scale competitor in dairy protein specialty ingredients.
• Ingredia: French dairy cooperative producing milk powders, whey proteins, caseins, and functional dairy ingredients for B2B food manufacturers — closest comparable on geography, ownership structure (cooperative), and product portfolio overlap with EPI Ingredients.
• Armor Proteines: French dairy ingredient specialist focused on whey proteins, milk proteins, and functional dairy ingredients for nutrition and food applications. Direct competitor in French/European milk and whey protein markets.
• FrieslandCampina Ingredients: Global supplier of dairy ingredients including milk powders, whey proteins, caseins, and infant formula ingredients. Direct competitor in the same B2B ingredient channel with overlapping product categories.
• Lactalis Ingredients: Dairy ingredient arm of Lactalis supplying milk powders, whey, butter, and cheese derivatives to food manufacturers worldwide. Direct overlap in butter powders, milk powders, and whey product ranges.
• Fonterra (NZMP): New Zealand cooperative's B2B ingredients division producing milk powders, whey proteins, caseins, and butter products for global food manufacturers. Comparable cooperative ownership structure and broad dairy ingredient portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Kerry Group: Global B2B ingredients giant with a substantial dairy and functional protein portfolio alongside broader taste and nutrition offerings. Larger, more diversified competitor in the food ingredients space that overlaps with EPI's dairy applications.
• Agropur Ingredients: North American dairy cooperative producing whey proteins, milk powders, and functional dairy ingredients for B2B food customers. Similar cooperative ownership model and global B2B dairy ingredient focus.
• Cargill (Animal Nutrition & Protein): Massive global agribusiness with a dairy ingredients and protein solutions business competing with EPI across whey, casein, and milk protein applications. Much broader portfolio but overlapping in select dairy protein categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epi-ingredients
• Xx.com/epi_ingredients

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EPI Ingredients