Raisio has suspended its investment plans in its Benemilk licensing business due to a crisis in the dairy market.

It plans to cut down investments in the international commercialisation of the innovation and focus on the pending patent processes and IPR protection against potential infringements.

Benemilk has two business segments. Its ingredient business is based on the sale and marketing of palm oil-based raw material under the Primafat trade mark and on the related IPR.

"In the last six months, sales have seen a drop from €264m ($295m) to €238m ($266m)."

The licensing business includes the development, commercialisation and licensing of IPR based on the Benemilk innovation.

Benemilk was established in 2013, and Raisio holds a 57% stake.

In the last six months, sales have seen a drop from €264m ($295m) to €238m ($266m).

Raisio chief executive Matti Rihko was quoted by foodingredientsfirst.com as saying: "We are going to minimise the investment in operational business. It will be impacting two people.

“When the milk market is in crisis so there is no point to invest in the coming one to two years for the commercial activity when the market simply is not ready for it at the moment.