Fonterra has officially opened its NZ$126 million UHT greenfield plant in Waitoa, New Zealand, which is equipped with the latest processing and packaging equipment.
The facility, which will make products such as UHT white milk and UHT cream for the foodservice sector, features Tetra Pak equipment.
The combined daily production capacity of the plant is 250,000 litres and products will packed in Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000ml, 250ml, 200ml and 125ml and Tetra Prisma Aseptic 250ml cartons for export to China.
“Since my last visit to New Zealand three years ago, we have seen an explosion in the demand for dairy products from Asian countries, and the part played by New Zealand in meeting that need has been quite incredible,” Dennis Jonsson, president and CEO of Tetra Pak, says.
“Population growth, increasing prosperity and further urbanisation across Asia will see that demand growth continue through the years ahead. And the foresight and responsiveness of New Zealand’s dairy sector, and government, will help to ensure the country is perfectly placed to respond.
“The new factory in which we are standing today is a great example of that responsiveness and foresight,” Jonsson says.