German dairy co-operative DMK Group has agreed to fully acquire the assets of the DV Nutrition joint venture, as DMK and Volac announced they would end their 15-year partnership in the venture.

DV Nutrition was established by DOC Kaas (part of DMK Group) and Volac, and has been producing whey protein and lactose-based ingredients since 2004.

As of 1 January 2020, the DMK Group is expected to acquire all of the shares in the joint venture, which will then become part of DMK Group’s ‘Industry’ business unit.

DMK did state that DV Nutrition would continue to operate from its existing site in Hoogeveen, The Netherlands.

According to a statement from DMK, the decision to end the partnership was made as both companies “wish to develop their businesses in different directions”.

As part of the joint venture, Volac has been responsible for the sales and marketing of all products manufactured by DV Nutrition.

According to DMK, Volac will continue to supply protein products sourced from the DV Nutrition production site to its sport and active nutrition customers for the foreseeable future, after which new customer supply arrangements will be put in place by Volac.

In future, products manufactured by DV Nutrition will be supplied directly to customers by the DMK Group.