Dairy giant Fonterra, kicked the world’s largest milk powder drier into gear at its Darfield site last week.
The first batches of milk powder will be exported to more than 20 markets worldwide including the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia, and marks the completion of the co-operative’s $500m development of its Darfield site which has been three years in the making.
Robert Spurway, Fonterra’s director of logistics said that in peak season, the drier will be running 24/7 and will produce over 700 metric tonnes – which is equivalent to 45 shipping containers each day.
Spurway says that the addition of the second drier is a testament to the co-operatives’ manufacturing capabilities.
“The demand for dairy nutrition around the world, especially for whole milk powder, is still strong. Drier Two will ensure that Fonterra has the capacity to meet this demand and to process ongoing milk growth in Canterbury, the fastest growing dairy region in New Zealand,’ said Spurway.
“The new drier will help the Co-operative meet the growing demand for dairy nutrition globally and will play an important role in Fonterra’s strategy to optimise its New Zealand milk business.
“With Drier Two now online at Darfield, we are taking fresh milk from farms within a 65k radius from the site, and have successfully completed our first production run of whole milk powder.”