Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a “Maximum yield, no acid whey” concept that demonstrates how acid whey can be eliminated from the strained dairy production process to enhance efficiency and maximise yield.

On a traditional processing line for strained dairy products, two-thirds of the milk used is typically filtered off as acid whey. This represents a significant loss of productivity and nutrients, and also creates disposal challenges and costs for manufacturers. 

The new concept showcases Arla Foods Ingredients’ Nutrilac HighYield range of milk proteins as an innovative, no-waste solution for dairy producers. Adding Nutrilac HighYield prior to fermentation enables dairies to omit the acid-whey separation or filtration steps, resulting in zero acid whey and 100% milk yield. 

Nutrilac HighYield requires minimal and manageable modifications to standard production lines and reduces the need for separation/filtration equipment, which is costly to acquire and maintain. It also offers greater flexibility, enabling dairies to increase their volumes of final products or maintain current volumes with up to 85% less milk and shorter processing times. 

Four new high-yield concepts from Arla Foods Ingredients demonstrate the benefits of Nutrilac HighYield ingredients for zero-waste strained dairy production: 

• A 4% fat Greek-style yoghurt with a delicious thick texture and mouthfeel

• A 7.4% protein cottage cheese with appealing softness and a clean, mild taste

• A 10% protein cottage cheese with milky notes and real cheese texture in the curd

• A cream cheese with a smooth, spreadable texture that is also ideal for cooking 

In all the recipes, Nutrilac HighYield’s excellent water-binding properties ensure product stability, preserving creamy texture and taste throughout shelf life. 

Claus Bukbjerg Andersen, senior category manager, Arla Foods Ingredients, said, “Our new ‘Maximum yield, no acid whey’ concept builds on our ‘Upcycle your whey to value’ concept, which focused on utilising acid whey side-streams. With Nutrilac HighYield, we can offer a zero acid-waste solution which simplifies production and allows dairies to make the most of every last drop of milk. Nutrilac HighYield’s specialised milk proteins lock all the goodness of milk inside the final product to create delicious dairy treats with a tailored texture and taste that consumers love. This taps into the growing market for high-quality, high-protein and environmentally conscious dairy products. As well as helping dairies reach their sustainability goals with minimal investment, our new concept opens up opportunities to expand their portfolio of premium, indulgent products with relative ease.”