Machinery for the globally expanding dairy market

Milk continues its thrust for growth: worldwide, 645 tons of milk were produced during 2006 –11 million tons more than in 2005. Per-capita consumption was running at approximately 99.1 kg. For 2007, too, this tend is reported as continuing, as exemplified by the increase in worldwide consumption of liquid dairy products to 242 billion litres.
The outlook is seen as propitious for the nations of Asia, Latin American and Africa, particular, with substantial growth rates predicted. As far as the producers and processing companies are concerned, the networking of the regional markets worldwide is a prominent feature of ongoing developments. The world is getting smaller, the markets and their supply arrangements are closely intermeshed, a trend fostered by the corporate structures in the milk processing sector. Rising production costs for the various product groupings involved will in future necessitate optimisation initiatives throughout the entire process employed in making milk-based beverages.
These situational conditions are also of vital importance when it comes to choosing the machinery and filling technology for liquid dairy products. Krones’ machines provide high performance in terms of filling efficacy, enhanced cost-efficiency in operation, and the desired flexibility in regard to packaging concepts. In the shape of the PET and HDPE bottles, producers have an attractive and easy-to-handle package available for liquid dairy products, providing numerous advantages in regard to practicality for the consumer. In terms of the machinery involved, this package offers a high degree of flexibility, since not only are fast change-overs feasible, but high speeds can also be achieved with rotary machines. The PET or HDPE bottle is a notable factor driving the successful development of the market for liquid dairy products.

Source: Deutsche Milchwirtschaft, No. 8/2008 and No. 22/2007