Lactalis closing beverage plant in Sudbury

The closure is effective Dec. 12, 2025

Lactalis is closing its plant-based beverage processing plant in Sudbury.

The company, which includes brands like Balderson, Astro, and Beatrice, reopened the plant in June 2024 after closing it in 2022 to convert it to a facility focusing on plant-based beverages like those in its Enjoy! brand.

The Ontario government supported that work with $1.4 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

From 1962 until the renovations in 2022, the plant at 500 Barry Downe Road was a fully operational milk processing facility.

The closure will take effect in December.

“Lactalis Canada has made the difficult decision to close its plant-based operations in Sudbury, Ontario effective December 12, 2025, which will mark our full exit from the plant-based beverage category,” the company told Sudbury.com.

The company cited multiple reasons for taking this step.

These include consumer preference and economic challenges.

"This decision follows a shift in market dynamics and the challenges associated with the broader economic climate, all of which have led to a sustained decline in the plant-based beverage category’s performance,” Lactalis said in its statement. “Unfortunately, continuing operations is no longer financially viable and sustainable business for Lactalis Canada.”

It’s unclear how many jobs the closure will affect, but previously available information indicates the plant employed 25 people.