Tetra Pak OneStep milk processing technology

Tetra Pak has launched OneStep technology, a Tetra Lactenso Aseptic solution that incorporates UHT white milk production within a single, high-throughput process.

OneStep technology eliminates the need for pasteurisation, pretreatment and intermediate storage. In one unbroken step, raw milk is preheated, clarified, separated, standardised and homogenised, before undergoing UHT treatment and regenerative cooling and then being transferred to two aseptic buffer tanks. This shortens processing time from as much as two days to just a few hours. It is claimed that the system can cut operating costs by up to 50% compared with conventional solutions.

In essence, the innovation of OneStep technology is that it combines heat treatment, separation and standardisation into a single step, significantly simplifying and accelerating the production process.

In addition to shortening the time it takes to process raw milk, OneStep technology also incorporates aseptic buffering, enabling completely automated and continuous UHT operations, with fewer process steps and smaller hold-up volumes in the line.

It is claimed that Tetra Pak OneStep technology can reduce energy and water consumption by up to 35% and cut waste and effluent load by as much as 60%, thanks to better accuracy in chemical use during cleaning in place. These savings are estimated to reduce the carbon footprint of the production process by around 40%. Furthermore, the streamlined process cuts product loss by up to 30% compared to conventional UHT solutions, thanks to fewer process steps and smaller hold-up volumes in the line.

With the ability to change the fat content of milk products without stopping production - and to run milk with different fat contents at the same time - OneStep technology provides increased aseptic line flexibility, enabling efficient production planning and high utilisation of filling machines.