Western Milk Pool Unveils Progress on $75 Million Dairy Innovation West in Blackfalds

Comprising BC Milk, BC Dairy, Alberta Milk, SaskMilk, and Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, the WMP is spearheading the development of DIW, Canada's pioneering milk concentration facility situated in Blackfalds, AB.

As the first facility of its kind in the country, DIW stands as a beacon of innovation and environmental sustainability within the dairy industry. With a hefty investment of $75 million, DIW embodies the industry's dedication to adopting groundbreaking practices and technologies aimed at emissions reduction, in line with the ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2050.

Henry Holtmann, Chair of DIW, lauds the progress made on the project, hailing it as a significant stride for Western Canadian dairy farming. Holtmann emphasizes the project's role in setting national benchmarks for similar facilities and underscores the unwavering commitment of Western Canadian dairy farmers to driving positive change through innovation and sustainability.

Construction activities commenced on-site in December 2023 under the management of Pacific Process Canada Ltd. In the ensuing months, Pacific Process is focused on achieving key construction milestones, including piling work, groundwork, and fabrication of precast building panels. Substantial completion of the facility is slated for November 2024, with operational testing scheduled from January to March 2025. The official inauguration is set for Spring 2025.

Chris Scheidt, President of Pacific Process, applauds the dedicated efforts of the team, emphasizing that DIW represents more than just a structure—it symbolizes collaboration, innovation, and progress for Western Canadian dairy farmers. Scheidt underscores the project's significance in advancing the dairy industry and heralds each milestone as a step closer to realizing this groundbreaking milk concentration plant.

Once operational, DIW is poised to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the western Canadian dairy industry by concentrating liquid raw milk. For every three or four trucks of raw milk received from local farms, one truck of concentrate will be dispatched to processing plants. DIW's capabilities include the production of reverse osmosis (RO) milk ingredients (whole and skim) as well as ultra-filtered (UF) skim milk and cream.