This is an important step forward in achieving that goal," said Peder Tuborgh, CEO, Arla Foods. Arla's whey business falls under its 'other' business activities reporting line, and was the biggest contributor to that line's DKK2213m revenues in 2010. As for DMK, future CEO Dr. Josef Schwaiger, said: "Expanding the ingredients business is one of DMK's strategic growth areas. Its alliance with Arla in ArNoCo is therefore an important step towards higher value added and will strengthen the Nordhackstedt location's position for the long term." The operational merger between Nordmilch and Humana is planned for April 2011, following the green light from Humana's farmer members in February; 98.5 per cent voted in favour. The rationale behind the merger is to provide greater resilience in the face of volatile dairy prices, retailer concentration, and progressive consolidation in the European dairy sector.