Cheese production requires milk with specific curdling properties. However, as milk is generally moved up the supply chain in large quantities from farms, distinguishing between different classifications is hardly plausible. The project’s patented solution is able to classify milk into separate tanks during milking, each meeting the requirements of a different dairy product – for example cheese production/consumer milk). Overall, this brings optimization to the supply chain and lessens the environmental impact of the dairy industry.
The classification device does not manipulate or modify the milk and its operation is fully automatized. Thanks to the classification, dairy production is more efficient and the yields more predictable, requiring up to 15% less milk for the same cheese production output. Farmers are incentivized to adopt the solution by the premium price for separated milk. The optimization also brings associated environmental benefits of up to 11% less water consumption, up to 10% reduced energy for processing and up to 9% lower GHG emissions in the value chain.
The coordinating beneficiary and patent holder Afimilk brought together eight stakeholders including dairies and farmers, to implement the solution and overhaul the supply chain, making it more efficient.
Product available across the whole of the EU
- Project locations
- Italy
- Project website
- Total Dairy Management