​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Membrane filtration solutions for dairy, plant-based and alternative ingredient products​

Membrane filtration supports efficient production of milk- and whey-based foods and beverages as well as high-value nutrients for infants, sports people, and seniors. It is also used to concentrate plant-based proteins, to purify alternative proteins. 

 

Membrane filtration also facilitates process water recovery and reuse, meeting high-quality standards. Traditional food processing often results in wastewater being dismissed down the drain. But with membrane filtration, it can be reused for equipment cleaning or even in food processes where it has direct contact with the product itself. Treated water can surpass even drinking water standards in some regions. 

Person watching training videos on membrane filtration

Filtration applications

Milksplash

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Filtration solutions for milk

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Filtration solutions for milk

Membrane filtration is a core processing technology for dairies. It is a cost-effective treatment that uses no heat, thus preserving the milk’s properties.

Whey powder

​​​​​​​​​​​Filtration solutions for whey

​​​​​​​​​​​Filtration solutions for whey

One of the most common applications of membrane filtration in the dairy industry is the treatment of whey from cheese manufacturer.

Milk and Whey

Filtration for milk and whey ingredients

Filtration for milk and whey ingredients

Ingredients derived from milk and whey are one of the fastest growing dairy industry segments. Membrane filtration plays a key role in their production.

Yoghurt with blueberries

Filtration for fermented dairy products

Filtration for fermented dairy products

The ultrafiltration membrane separates the skimmed milk into two streams, allowing water, dissolved salts, lactose, and acids to pass through.

White cheese

Filtration solutions for cheese

Filtration solutions for cheese

Membrane filtration allows cheesemakers to optimize their cheese milk composition and thereby ensure production quality and efficiency.

Different plant-based drinks

Filtration for plant-based and New Foods

Filtration for plant-based and New Foods

Membrane filtration is used in the dairy industry to create high-protein products and powder. For plant-based products possibilities are virtually unlimited.

Blue water and blue sky

Filtration for water recovery

Filtration for water recovery

Driven by our strong focus on sustainability, protection of the environment, and reuse of natural resources, we have developed a number of innovative membrane-based solutions, which reduce the environmental footprint of the food industry.

Membrane filtration processing equipment

Multi pilot plant spiral wound 60 bar

Rental pilot plants

Rental pilot plants

We offer different types of easy-to-use pilot plants for rental. All the various dairy filtration pro­cesses can be tested by means of our different types.

Tetra Pak UF system P

Tetra Pak® UF system P

Tetra Pak® UF system P

Tetra Pak® UF system P is a pre-engineered ultrafiltration system for separating milk or whey components to make value-added dairy products.

Plate and frame ultrafiltration unit

Tetra Pak® Plate and frame ultrafiltration unit

Tetra Pak® Plate and frame ultrafiltration unit

Concentrates a yoghurt or a fermented cream cheese to achieve the desired composition and texture.

Tetra Pak Ultrafiltration unit SW

Tetra Pak® Ultrafiltration unit SW

Tetra Pak® Ultrafiltration unit SW

Concentrates fermented products to achieve the desired composition and texture.

Enhance production with membrane filtration

Are you innovating in food and beverage creation or focusing on product quality and production flexibility? Membrane filtration is the key.

 

Facing challenges like rapid product launches, quality maintenance, operational efficiency, and sustainable production for revenue growth, we understand your complexities.

 

Explore our engineered filtration solutions for both line and stand-alone applications, ensuring increased yield and maximum uptime.

Membrane filtration processes

Within the dairy industry, four different membrane filtration processes are used: microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO). The figure illustrates which milk and whey components can be concentrated by means of each process, depending on the density of the membrane.

Microfiltration unit from Tetra Pak

Microfiltration

Microfiltration

Microfiltration uses the most open type of membrane, which is used to separate bacteria, spores, and fat globules from the stream, and for fractionation of skim milk. ​

• Bacterial removal
• Casein standardization
• Brine treatment
• Cheese milk preparation
• Fat removal
• Extended shelf life
• MCC production

Nanofiltration unit from Tetra Pak

Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration separates a range of minerals from a liquid, allowing only the fluid and certain monovalent ions to pass through the membrane.

• Demineralized milk and whey
• Salt reduction
• High solids concentration
• Infant formula

Ultrafiltration unit from Tetra Pak

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration separates the feed (e.g. skim milk) into two streams, allowing water, dissolved salts, lactose, and acids to pass through it in either direction, while retaining (and thereby concentrating) proteins and fat.

• Protein standardization
• Brine treatment
• Milk: MPC/MPI
• Whey: WPC/WPI
• Lactoferrin
• De-calcification
• Cream cheese
• White cheese
• Greek yogurt
• Skyr
• Quark
• Milk drinks
• Desserts

Reverse Osmosis unit from Tetra Pak

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis is the tightest possible membrane process in liquid separation. It concentrates the total solids, and only water can pass through the membrane; all dissolved and suspended material is rejected.

• Solids concentration
• Milk concentration
• Whey concentration
• UF permeate concentration
• Buttermilk concentration

Microfiltration unit from Tetra Pak

Microfiltration

Microfiltration

Microfiltration uses the most open type of membrane, which is used to separate bacteria, spores, and fat globules from the stream, and for fractionation of skim milk.

​ • New Food fermentation
• Plant protein concentration, fractionation, and standardization
• Bacterial removal
• Juice clarification
• New protein sources
• Plant based drinks
• Plant based yoghurt
• Plant based protein ingredients
• Tofu
• Coconut, orange, and other juices

Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration separates a range of minerals from a liquid, allowing only the fluid and certain monovalent ions to pass through the membrane.

• Solids concentration and standardization
• Sugar standardization
• Tea and coffee concentration
• Plant based powder

Ultrafiltration unit from Tetra Pak

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration separates the feed (e.g. skim milk) into two streams, allowing water, dissolved salts, lactose, and acids to pass through it in either direction, while retaining (and thereby concentrating) proteins and fat.

​ • New Food fermentation
• Plant protein concentration, fractionation, and standardization
• Bacterial removal
• Juice clarification
• New protein sources
• Plant based drinks
• Plant based yoghurt
• Plant based protein ingredients
• Tofu
• Coconut, orange, and other juices

Reverse Osmosis unit from Tetra Pak

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis is the tightest possible membrane process in liquid separation. It concentrates the total solids, and only water can pass through the membrane; all dissolved and suspended material is rejected.

• Solids concentration and standardization
• Sugar standardization
• Tea and coffee concentration
• Plant based powder

Nanofiltration unit from Tetra Pak

Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration separates a range of minerals from a liquid, allowing only the fluid and certain monovalent ions to pass through the membrane.

• Product recovery
• Process water recovery
• CIP chemical reclaim
• Reduction of freshwater consumption

Reverse Osmosis unit from Tetra Pak

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis is the tightest possible membrane process in liquid separation. It concentrates the total solids, and only water can pass through the membrane; all dissolved and suspended material is rejected.

• Product recovery
• Process water recovery
• CIP chemical reclaim
• Reduction of freshwater consumption

Discover how spiral-wound membranes work

Ever wondered how advanced spiral-wound membranes work? Watch this two-minute video and learn more about the process.

Discover how spiral-wound membranes work

Ever wondered how advanced spiral-wound membranes work? Watch this two-minute video and learn more about the process.

View more

Explore membrane filtration tools and types

Man using membrane installation tool

Membrane tools

We offer a number of handy and easy-to-use systems and tools for installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your filtration system.

Membrane types

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Membrane types and applications​

The heart in any membrane filtration process is the membrane itself, and choosing the best membrane for a given process is often a complex task.

Factory Sustainable Solutions

Looking to optimise your factory’s utility consumption? Discover a holistic approach to water and energy that helps you get the most out of every kilowatt and every litre.

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