Alfa Laval’s Extend™ Technology Boosts Sustainability in Dairy Processing with Significant Resource Savings

(IN BRIEF) Alfa Laval has introduced Extend™, a pioneering technology that revolutionizes dairy processing by reducing water, chemical, and energy consumption during pasteurization. The system, which can be easily installed on existing heat exchangers, reduces bacterial buildup, extends the cleaning intervals, and increases operational uptime. After a successful first year of implementation at one of Scandinavia’s largest dairy producers, Alfa Laval’s solution has shown substantial savings in water, energy, and chemicals. The technology is designed to help the dairy industry meet sustainability targets and improve efficiency, addressing global challenges like water scarcity and the need for energy efficiency.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUND, 21-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In response to the growing need for sustainable food processing, Alfa Laval has introduced a groundbreaking technology set to transform dairy processing. The company’s innovative Extend™ add-on solution is designed to significantly reduce water, chemical, and energy consumption during pasteurization, while enhancing uptime, increasing profitability, and minimizing environmental impact.

Alfa Laval Extend™ is a simple, easy-to-install addition to existing heat exchangers that tackles one of the most persistent challenges in dairy processing—bacteria buildup. The technology works by sending a weak electrical current through the heat exchanger, reducing biofilm accumulation by up to 99%. This innovation not only improves cleanliness but also extends the time between required cleaning in place (CIP) operations, allowing pasteurizers to operate up to 12 hours without interruption, a considerable improvement over the industry standard of 8 hours. The first year of implementation at one of Scandinavia’s largest dairy producers has demonstrated impressive results.

Anna Andrys, Strategic Project Manager at Alfa Laval, shared her excitement, stating: “We monitored every step of the installation closely and eagerly awaited the real-life results. It’s truly been a collaborative success.”

For the dairy operator, the results have been remarkable. Over the first year, Alfa Laval Extend™ has increased operational uptime by 50%, while reducing cleaning intervals by 30%. This improvement has led to savings of 7,000 m3 of water, 100,000 kWh of energy, and 35 tonnes of cleaning chemicals.

The Extend™ system is designed for easy installation without the need for halting operations. It is available in three sizes, ensuring compatibility with any heat exchanger, regardless of the brand, in dairy production systems.

With growing concerns over water scarcity and the imperative for more efficient energy use, Alfa Laval’s Extend™ solution directly addresses these critical challenges. By helping dairy operators reduce resource consumption, the technology supports more sustainable operations and enables companies to meet their environmental goals while boosting productivity.

Technical Specifications:

• Power requirements: 24 VDC, 5 Watt
• Dimensions: 15×6 cm, Weight: 350g
• Operational temperature: -40°C to 105°C
• Chemical resistance: Resistant to common cleaning chemicals
• Compliance: CE, RoHS, Reach (further compliance inquiries to Alfa Laval)

Background: In light of the escalating effects of climate change, stricter industry regulations, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable food production, the global dairy sector is making significant strides to reduce its environmental footprint. Industry leaders are taking action to optimize their processes, minimizing waste, energy, water, and chemical use, while maximizing production efficiency. Alfa Laval, a pioneer in this space, is helping dairy processors meet these goals with innovative solutions that ensure sustainability and enhanced operational efficiency.

This is Alfa Laval 

The ability to make the most of what we have is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we’re innovating in the industries that society depends on and creating lasting positive impact. Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of first-rate products in the areas of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. We’re set on helping billions of people to get the energy, food, and clean water they need.  And, at the same time, we’re decarbonizing the marine fleet that’s the backbone of global trade.

We pioneer technologies and solutions that free our customers to unlock the true potential of resources. As our customers’ businesses grow stronger, the goal of a truly sustainable world edges closer. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Together, we’re pioneering positive impact.

Alfa Laval was founded 140 years ago, has customers in some 100 countries, employs more than 21,300 people, and annual sales were SEK 63.6 billion (5.5 BEUR) in 2023. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. www.alfalaval.com

Media Contacts:  

Anna Andrys
Strategic Project Manager
Email: anna.andrys@alfalaval.com

Sara K. Shirazi
Marketing & Communication Manager
Email: sara.kshirazi@alfalaval.com

SOURCE: Alfa Laval