In Etten-Leur, in the Netherlands, Emmi has commissioned a new energy-efficient spraying tower for the production of goat’s milk powder at the site of its two subsidiaries Goat Milk Powder and Bettinehoeve. Emmi is investing CHF 40 million in the growing global market for goat’s milk powder.

“Thanks to the great commitment of the teams, we can commission our new, resource-efficient facility for goat’s milk powder as planned. The increased production capacity and the facility’s technological design enable us to further strengthen our position in this attractive niche with the newly established Emmi Nutritional Solutions and to tap into new markets and segments,” says Ricarda Demarmels, CEO of the Emmi Group.

Powder business now under Emmi Nutritional Solutions

The high-quality goat’s milk powder business is managed by the newly established Emmi Nutritional Solutions (ENS), which brings together all procurement, production and sales activities. The new strategic unit is a consolidation of AVH dairy trade, a goat and sheep’s milk powder trader that has been part of the Emmi Group since 2013, and Goat Milk Powder, a goat milk’s powder producer in which Emmi has held a stake since 2016. Thanks to this consolidation, synergies can be leveraged more effectively and growth initiatives can be driven forward with focus in a dynamic market environment.

High tolerance and nutritional quality

Thanks to its high tolerance and nutritional quality, pure goat’s milk powder can improve or prolong people’s quality of life, from infancy and childhood to those advancing in age. Goat’s milk powder is a valuable source of protein, minerals, vitamins and trace elements, and has a nutritional profile that is comparable to human breast milk. As a result, global demand for high-quality pure goat’s milk powder, especially in the form of baby formula, has seen a steady increase in recent years. In addition to specialised baby formula, the product range is being expanded to include a wide range of milk-based end products including protein-enriched powders. These range from foods for a healthy and active lifestyle to special nutrition for adults and the elderly.

An exemplary ecological facility

The state-of-the-art spray-drying facility – which is equipped with energy-efficient heat pumps and recovery technologies – is a model example in terms of ecological and energy efficiency. As part of Emmi’s sustainability model – which is geared towards a net-zero reduction path – as well as the goal of reducing in-house greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2027, the facility relies on an electric heat pump instead of a gas-powered steam system. This reduces annual CO2 emissions by up to 6,000 tonnes. In addition to using the residual heat from Bettinehoeve’s nearby production facility for speciality cheeses, the waste heat from the air compressors and refrigeration systems can also be used. The new facility also reduces water consumption by 20%, thanks to a sophisticated system for the water produced during the milk concentration process.

More jobs and rural value creation

Around 30 new jobs will be created at ENS in line with Emmi’s long-term growth plans. At the same time, the investment in – and expansion at – the site in the Netherlands will create added value in the region, particularly in rural areas. In addition to higher purchase volumes, ENS supports its goat milk suppliers in many ways when it comes to sustainable production. By processing high-quality goat’s milk, certified in accordance with the Dutch quality programme, which complies with the most stringent hygiene and animal welfare standards, Emmi is increasingly supplying people around the world with nutrient-rich goat’s milk products.