This website uses cookies primarily for visitor analytics. Certain pages will ask you to fill in contact details to receive additional information. On these pages you have the option of having the site log your details for future visits. Indicating you want the site to remember your details will place a cookie on your device. To view our full cookie policy, please click here. You can also view it at any time by going to our Contact Us page.

Close

Nestlé cuts steam consumption by 75% at new infant formula plant

11 January 2024

At Nestlé’s plant in Nunspeet, the Netherlands, GEA is to equip a milk powder line for hypoallergenic infant formula with the latest process and heat pump technology.

Using an innovative heat recovery from the spray dryer and further processes, the plant is expected to use 75% less energy for steam and will reduce its carbon emissions. 

In response to increased demand for its Althera and Alfare infant formula brands, Nestlé is currently doubling production capacity at the Nunspeet plant with an additional processing line. For the first time, it will be using a GEA heat recovery system that is fed by exhaust air from the spray drying plant and, in turn, provides 80°C hot water for its operation. As part of the project, GEA will also equip the complete wet processing technology, which supplies the Nestlé spray drying line with the prepared milk. Installation of the process technology and heat supply system is planned for next year. The plant will go into operation in 2025. 

Nestlé’s aim with the project is not only to increase capacity, but also to advance its sustainability agenda by reducing carbon emissions, dust emissions and water demand. Exploiting renewable heat energy is a focus of the company’s climate strategy. 

“The new plant in Nunspeet will also serve as a group-wide demonstrator for future-oriented solutions to minimise energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in milk powder production. We are already familiar with heat pumps in various production processes, but using them with spray dryers, the most energy-intensive part of the process, is something new for us,” explained Gerben Koopmans, Engineering Manager at Nestlé. 

In addition to the ammonia heat pump for the spray dryer, GEA is also providing a second heat pump that supplies hot water at 85°C to heat the entire production line and run the various dehydration processes, as well as cold water at 1.5°C to air-condition the factory. GEA’s process technology for the wet line includes evaporators, inline formula mixers, a homogenizer, high-pressure and high-shear pumps, heat exchangers, valves, as well as all other connecting components and pipework. The heat pump system will provide this process technology with hot and cold water for maximum energy efficiency in operation.


Contact Details and Archive...

Print this page | E-mail this page