New Dutch Gouda and Edam plant

Dutch co-operative DOC Kass's massive new cheesemaking plant, scheduled for completion in 2007, will make use of 11 separators supplied by Westfalia.

The development will have a capacity of around 2m litres of milk a day and will allow for a hugely increased production of cheeses such as Gouda and Edam, manufacture of milk powder and condensed milk, and also the ripening of cheeses -- all on a single site. Whey processing alone is set to increase from a production capacity of 72,000t to 125,000t a year.

GEC Tuchenhagen is handling the process technology, while Westfalia Separator is responsible for all separating technology. The 11 separators will handle skimming and bacteria removal from the milk and purification and skimming of the whey.

Two pasteurising lines, each with a feed capacity of 55,000l/h, process the raw milk. One line is equipped with three separators (one MSE 500 skimmer and two CSE 500 bacteria removers). The second line is equipped with one separator and one bacteria remover.

There are also three whey processing lines, each with two separators for cleaning and skimming and a whey cream standardising facility.

Contact: Westfalia Separator,

Tel: 08708 305500