Dairy Processing - May/June 2023 - 52

PACKAGING
The global
dairy aseptic
packaging market is
expected to grow
at a CAGR of 5.5%
by 2030.
Dataintelo
North. " With the addition
of these plants, we have
an opportunity to not
only grow our customer
base, but also create
synergies between our
other extended shelf life
and aseptic facilities. "
Byrne Dairy, Inc.,
LaFayette, NY, a fourthgeneration,
family-owned
producer and distributor of Greek
and conventional yogurt, sour cream, milk, cream, ice cream
and other dairy products, invested $25 million to upgrade its
dairy processing facility in Cortlandville, NY. Originally built
in 2014, the plant was retooled to produce extended shelf life
and shelf-stable dairy products, according to the company.
Expansion of the facility was completed in 2022.
In 2022, The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, announced it would
invest $70 million on a 35,000-square-foot expansion of its
Tamarack Farms Dairy, which will allow the company to
add a state-of-the-art aseptic milk line. The line would be
capable of manufacturing various sizes of half-and-half, heavy
whipping cream and coffee creamer. The aseptic milk line
will be the grocer's first in the Midwest and is part of Kroger's
large-scale efforts to deliver long shelf-life high protein drinks,
non-dairy and dairy products through modern technology.
The expansion is expected to be completed by July 2023,
according to the company.
THE BENEFITS
Aseptic cartons are the most popular form of aseptic
packaging in the world, according to the Alliance for Beverage
Cartons and the Environment (ACE).
The aseptic process ensures that both food and packaging
materials are free of harmful bacteria when food is packaged.
ESL dairy products are made using various processing
techniques, including ultra-high temperature (UHT)
pasteurization, microfiltration and aseptic packaging. UHT
pasteurization involves heating the milk to a temperature of
135°C for a few seconds, which effectively kills all bacteria
and spores that could cause spoilage. Microfiltration, on the
other hand, is a filtration process that removes bacteria and
other impurities from the milk by using membranes with
microscopic pores.
Aseptic packaging uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
as a barrier on the inner and outer sides to protect against
moisture entering or exiting the container, along with a film
foil to keep light and oxygen out and avoid spoilage.
One of the benefits of aseptic packaging is that it allows
for products to be transported and sold without the need for
refrigeration. This can be an advantage in areas where access
to refrigerated storage is limited, extending the reach of dairy
products to more areas and consumers.
The packages are shipped out in roll form, allowing more
empty packages to fit on a truck, thus reducing the number of
trucks on the road, according to Tetra Pak.
In 2019, Tetra Pak released its Classic Aseptic 65ml
Cube, a packaging solution said to be an efficient solution
for dairy, juice and liquid food. The offering requires less
secondary packaging and needs approximately 40% less space
to transport the same quantity of products. Tetra Pak said
this means food " can now be delivered safely over longer
distances, at lower cost, and made available to consumers at
an affordable price. "
ADDRESSING SUSTAINABILITY
Aseptic packaging also has a positive impact on sustainability.
It reduces food waste and extends the shelf life of products,
meaning less food is thrown away. It also allows for the use
of lightweight packaging materials such as cartons, which
reduces carbon emissions during transportation.
As many dairy processors invest in new aseptic and
UHT shelf-stable milk products from Horizon Organic.
52 MAY-JUN 2023 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dave Gordon
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - May/June 2023

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