The opening of the nation’s premier centre for dairy manufacturing science, technology and innovation has begun an entirely new era of research for the Australian dairy industry. The Centre’s objective is to deliver commercially-driven science and technology that has a measurable impact and benefit to dairy companies and the industry.

Dairy Innovation Australia, which opened in Werribee Victoria on Monday, will invest more than $15 million over the next three years to generate innovations in bulk processing and bulk ingredients; functional foods and ingredients; and cheese starters and fermented products.

Joining Dairy Australia in the initiative are the Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation and key dairy companies. Full members are Murray Goulburn, Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory, Tatura Milk Industries Limited, Bega Cheese and Burra Foods while Dairy Farmers, National Foods and Parmalat will invest in particular services of interest. Dairy Innovation Australia was formed as a merger of the Dairy Process Engineering Centre, Australian Starter Culture Research Centre, UHT Centre, Australian Cheese Technology Program, and Dairy Ingredients Group of Australia.