Coca-Cola Canada is planning to invest C$85m ($65m) to build a new production facility in Peterborough, Ontario.

The new facility will produce fairlife’s ultra-filtered and lactose-free milk products, which are claimed to contain 50% more protein and 50% less sugar than traditional milk.

fairlife chief operating officer Tim Doelman said: “We’re continuing to experience tremendous growth as more and more people are becoming dedicated fans of our rich-tasting and nutritious milk, and we’re confident that Canadians are going to love it as well.

“We have launched an unprecedented number of new products into the Canadian market over the last 18 months.”

“The decision to launch fairlife in Canada was an easy one to make, given the high farming and dairy standards already in place.”

Scheduled to begin operations in Q1 2020, the new facility will source milk from local dairy farmers in Ontario. It will produce fairlife ultra-filtered milk in fat-free, 2% white, 2% chocolate and whole (3.25%) white variants in 1.5l bottles and 2% white and 2% chocolate variants in 240ml bottles.

The Coca-Cola Company’s Canadian business unit president Shane Grant said: “This announcement is a significant step in our journey to be a total beverage company. We are listening to consumers and evolving our business strategy to respond.

“We have launched an unprecedented number of new products into the Canadian market over the last 18 months, including smaller package formats and new brands such as Gold Peak, smartwater sparkling, Glaceau fruitwater, vitaminwater active, Peace Tea and Powerade Zero.

“Adding fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk to our portfolio means we can offer Canadians more of what they are looking for: products with less sugar, more functional benefits and more natural ingredients.”