Fonterra Set for New Zealand Milk Powder Plant

Global dairy producer Fonterra (Auckland, New Zealand) has selected GEA Process Engineering Inc. (Columbia, MD) to build its new €40 million ($57 million) whole milk powder plant in New Zealand.

GEA Process Engineering is a specialist in developing and marketing dairy-related equipment and processing technology.

Fonterra processes about 90% of New Zealand’s milk, according to GEA. The plant will produce an estimated 15 tons of milk per hour. Plant services will include milk reception, standardization, evaporation, drying, powder transport, and packing.

Known as the Darfield project, the plant construction is expected to be commissioned in August 2012. This is the third plant construction project assumed by GEA Process Engineering for Fonterra.