Dairy Process Optimizations

Broadly applicable approach to process improvement

Cargill Optimizing Services mix of process simulation tools, deep engineering experience and business analysis have allowed us to provide value to a range of different processes in the dairy sector, including

• Hard and soft cheese manufacturing
• Yogurt and quark production
• Lactose and whey processing

We have also been able to develop value in closely related industries such as ice cream and cheese cake production. Opportunities have come about both through understanding the interactions between the utilities and the manufacturing process (a recent Bulletin, for example, investigated the interaction between refrigeration and processing) and by understanding the process performance itself (other recent Bulletins have looked at the impact of Clean In Place systems on chemical, energy and water use, and process uptime; and the impact of product transitions on yield and waste generation).

As well as these more repeatable opportunities, Cargill Optimizing Services has been able to deliver significant value through more specialized analysis - we were, for example, able to leverage our internal membranes expertise to help one major manufacturer turn their waste water stream into a valuable cooling medium for a neighboring company. We also developed a detailed, dynamic model for another customer that helped them shave months off the startup time for a new process.