APV to install state-of-the-art cheese processing plant for Polish market leader

APV to install state-of-the-art cheese processing plant for Polish market leader

APV is proud to announce the award of a major contract from the Mlekpol dairy cooperative, Poland’s largest manufacturer and exporter of dairy products. The project involves a complete cheese processing line and whey handling system including facilities for the production of APV’s revolutionary LeanCreme™ products. Scheduled to take 16 months to complete, the project will see the first cheeses being produced after just 12 months.

Mlekpol is based in the town of Grajewo, situated in an area of rivers, lakes and forests in the north-eastern corner of Poland. The cooperative manufactures high quality cheese, milk, fermented products as well as milk and whey powder, and is the market leader in UHT milk with a substantial share of the Polish market. Mlekpol exports a third of its production to countries such as Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and the UK. The company also exports hard cheeses, milk, whey powder, and butter.

Superior technology and commitment

In 2003, as part of its strategic growth plans, Mlekpol took the decision to extend its site to create a state-of-the-art cheese processing plant for the production of European soft cheeses. Mlekpol invited bids for a cheese processing line as well as whey handling and CIP equipment from leading international suppliers including APV. After rigorous examination of the bids together with third-party consultants, Mlekpol awarded the contract to APV.

"We decided to go with APV due to their superior technology, their strength in Polish market and the close partnership we experienced with their different experts. I hope they will deliver a great job and they will prove to us that our decision was right," said Mr Edmund Borawski, President.

End-to-end cheese processing line

The project comprises a complete cheese processing line including everything from milk reception through to the exit of the brining system. The line is fully automated using Invensys Wonderware FactorySuite, a fully integrated software suite for industrial automation, and includes upfront milk pasteurisation and standardisation, APV cheese vats, the APV OPD pre-press, the APV Sanipress, and the brining system.

The new cheese plant will receive a daily raw milk input of 1.4 million litres, and produce 7,680 Euroblock (15.75kg) cheeses and 38,400 loaf (3.15kg) cheeses each day.

"APV is proud to have been selected by the leading dairy in Poland to supply what is not only one of the largest cheese processing lines ever in Poland, but one of the most advanced in the world," said Brian McCluskie, President of Invensys APV.


Whey handling and LeanCreme™ products

APV is also to provide a complete whey handling system including membrane plant to produce whey protein concentrates as well as the revolutionary APV LeanCreme™ process enabling controlled microparticulation of high-quality whey protein concentrate. By using LeanCreme™, Mlekpol will be able to offer reduced-fat cheeses and other reduced-fat dairy products with the same attractive mouth feel and flavour as products with traditional fat content.

APV will also provide a new CIP (cleaning in place) system to clean both the new and existing plant.

About APV

APV is a world leader of high quality process technologies and engineering solutions for the dairy, food, beverage, brewing, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. As a subsidiary of Invensys plc, APV has access through its sister companies to some of the latest and most innovative automation systems. From engineered components through to complete, fully automated process plants, the company focuses on adding value to its customers’ business performance and profitability. APV’s range of manufactured products includes heat exchangers, homogenisers, pumps and valves for hygienic applications.

APV's services extend far beyond the product itself. From manufacturing the equipment to offering our customers an extensive, global network of after-sales parts and services, APV ensures that the equipment performs to optimum efficiency throughout its lifetime.

APV solutions are supplied through its global network of sales and service offices located in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

About Invensys

Invensys is a global automation, control and process solutions group. Its products, service expertise and ongoing support enable intelligent systems to monitor and control processes in many different environments. Leading companies in a wide range of industries rely on Invensys to help them perform with greater efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.

The Invensys Group comprises five businesses: Process Systems, APV, Eurotherm, Rail Systems and Controls. The Group is headquartered in London, employs more than 30,000 employees in 60 countries, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Web sites:

Mlekpol: www.mlekpol.com.pl

APV: www.apv.com