Fonterra Plans to Build Two Milk Powder Driers in New Zealand - Cowsmo

Fonterra Plans to Build Two Milk Powder Driers in New Zealand

Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, has started the consultation process to build two new high-efficiency milk powder driers at its Studholme site in South Canterbury, on New Zealand’s South Island.
Source: Fonterra

The proposed investment would bring a significant boost to milk processing in South Canterbury – one of New Zealand’s fastest growing dairy regions – with around 9 million litres of additional capacity to help keep pace with rising milk volumes.

Fonterra Managing Director Global Operations, Robert Spurway says the expansion would play an important role in delivering the cooperative’s growth strategy.

“With the steady increase in milk production, a strong schedule of capital investment in processing and manufacturing will be key to delivering on our V3 strategy – driving value, volume and velocity,” said Spurway. ““Should it go ahead, the investment at Studholme will bring much needed processing capacity to the South Island as well as optionality to make the products that bring the greatest returns to our shareholders.”

Spurway said the Studholme site, due to its location, is the ideal option for the proposed development.

If approved, the expansion will take a phased approach, with construction beginning on the first drier within the next five years, followed by the potential installation of a second drier within the next 10 years.

Mitigating environmental impacts is a high priority for the build, with plans including a range of wastewater treatment options with particular care given to the nearby Wainono lagoon. Fonterra is also looking to minimize the use of coal, and is investigating options for energy efficient boilers capable of burning biomass.

The upgrades would bring an injection into the local economy and are an exciting prospect for those living in and around Studholme and Waimate, said Spurway.

“As with any build of this scale, local employment would be one of the major winners,” he said. “With each new drier, our site and tanker staff would grow by around 125 new positions, with builders and contractors to complete the build factored in on top of that.

“Our teams are hard at work to complete our proposals for this potential development and will ensure that we share them with our neighbors and the wider community before they are finalized,” said Spurway.

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