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Reference project Automation of milk powder production

Optimum utilization of production raw materials – safe, profitable, compliant

One of the most efficient and modern dairy companies in Germany converts milk into powder form. The milk can thus be stored and transported and can also be produced in different qualities. The spectrum ranges from skimmed milk powder to whole milk powder. The high-quality milk is processed into first-class milk powder in special drying towers.

In order to completely eliminate risks and errors, the control and monitoring of the system should no longer be carried out by humans in future, but should be automated.

Project details

  • Construction of a new production building for milk powder production
  • Guarantee of all quality and safety standards
  • Integrated system solution with coupling of the existing automation

The company faces two major challenges here: There is a high risk of explosion in the drying tower. If a certain temperature value is exceeded, CO2 must be fed into the system immediately. In addition, food production regulations stipulate that the system must be cleaned regularly, for example, according to a strict schedule in order to prevent the development and spread of bacteria. This is particularly important here, as milk powder is also used to produce baby food.

PCS 7 with two AS 417F/H, redundant server, two clients and one ES

Recipe and batch system PM Control and PM Quality

Coupling of the existing automation systems

Reliable implementation

SpiraTec has already gained a great deal of experience with the special features of this sector in previous projects with the dairy industry and is very familiar with the strict requirements of the food industry. As an automation expert, SpiraTec was therefore the ideal partner. SpiraTec developed a tailor-made solution for the customer which, for example, continuously measures and monitors the temperature in the drying tower – and initiates immediate and prompt regulatory measures if necessary. The automated solution thus shifts the immense responsibility of preventing explosions or contamination from the human to the machine. By eliminating the time-consuming tasks involved in manually controlling the drying towers, employees can now be deployed much more effectively.

Focus on customer wishes


The customer’s wishes and experience were decisive for the design and implementation of the new solution. And SpiraTec was able to meet these expectations in full.

Thanks to the production of milk powder, all components of the milk can be used and resources can be conserved.


„When it gets too hot, things have to move quickly.“

Production manager on the customer side