The A2 Milk Company has more than doubled its first-half profit and has entered into an alliance with global dairy giant Fonterra to produce new products and enter new markets. A2 Milk's net profit for the six months to December 31 soared 150 per cent to $NZ98.47 million ($A91.8 million) on the back of strong growth in its infant formula business and higher liquid milk sales in core markets. Shares in A2 Milk were $A1.70, or 19.5 per cent, higher at $A10.41 at 1020 AEDT. New Zealand-based A2 Milk has also entered into a strategic alliance with Fonterra under which Fonterra will exclusively supply A1 protein-free milk products in bulk powder and packaged form to A2 Milk. Fonterra will have exclusive supply rights for some nutritional products to be sold in new priority markets in south-east Asia and the Middle East up to a specified volume.