Canada's First Dairy Dewatering Plant Nears Completion in Central Alberta
Source: The DairyNews
In central Alberta, the buzz is all about milk as the region gears up to welcome a groundbreaking facility capable of processing up to 300 million liters annually.
Set to be nestled in the Aspelund Industrial Park just west of the Town of Blackfalds, the Dairy Innovation West (DIW) facility represents a pioneering venture in Canada. Utilizing cutting-edge technology to extract water from raw milk, this innovative plant is poised to revolutionize the dairy industry by significantly reducing transportation costs associated with processing.
With an estimated investment of approximately $70 million, the DIW project marks a milestone for the Western Milk Pool, a collaborative effort involving five dairy organizations spanning four provinces: the B.C. Milk Marketing Board, the B.C. Dairy Association, Alberta Milk, SaskMilk, and Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.
According to Stuart Boeve, Chair of Alberta Milk, the absence of local dairy processing facilities has necessitated costly transportation of milk to distant processing plants in cities like Calgary, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Abbotsford. By leveraging reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration technologies, the DIW plant aims to concentrate milk components, effectively reducing water content by over half. Boeve estimates potential savings of over $5 million annually for producers, as fewer truckloads will be required for transportation.
"Milk is expensive to haul because you're essentially transporting a lot of water," explains Boeve. "By removing excess water, we can streamline transportation and reduce costs significantly."
Despite the rising popularity of plant-based alternatives, Boeve emphasizes the enduring appeal of traditional dairy products such as butter and cheese, attributing their continued demand to their unmatched taste and nutritional benefits.
While the DIW project was initially announced in November 201, construction commenced in August 2023 after overcoming several regulatory hurdles and delays. Boeve cites the necessity of navigating inter-provincial regulations and seeking input from dairy producers as key factors contributing to the project's timeline.
As construction progresses, concrete walls have begun to take shape under the supervision of Chandos Construction, with completion expected by Spring 2025. With its potential to transform the dairy landscape in Canada, the DIW facility represents not only a significant investment in the region's economy but also a testament to the industry's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
With an estimated investment of approximately $70 million, the DIW project marks a milestone for the Western Milk Pool, a collaborative effort involving five dairy organizations spanning four provinces: the B.C. Milk Marketing Board, the B.C. Dairy Association, Alberta Milk, SaskMilk, and Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.
According to Stuart Boeve, Chair of Alberta Milk, the absence of local dairy processing facilities has necessitated costly transportation of milk to distant processing plants in cities like Calgary, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Abbotsford. By leveraging reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration technologies, the DIW plant aims to concentrate milk components, effectively reducing water content by over half. Boeve estimates potential savings of over $5 million annually for producers, as fewer truckloads will be required for transportation.
"Milk is expensive to haul because you're essentially transporting a lot of water," explains Boeve. "By removing excess water, we can streamline transportation and reduce costs significantly."
Despite the rising popularity of plant-based alternatives, Boeve emphasizes the enduring appeal of traditional dairy products such as butter and cheese, attributing their continued demand to their unmatched taste and nutritional benefits.
While the DIW project was initially announced in November 201, construction commenced in August 2023 after overcoming several regulatory hurdles and delays. Boeve cites the necessity of navigating inter-provincial regulations and seeking input from dairy producers as key factors contributing to the project's timeline.
As construction progresses, concrete walls have begun to take shape under the supervision of Chandos Construction, with completion expected by Spring 2025. With its potential to transform the dairy landscape in Canada, the DIW facility represents not only a significant investment in the region's economy but also a testament to the industry's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
