The plant, to be built in southeast Australia, will be the first Australian greenfields expansion in UHT in 10 years.
Freedom’s wholly owned subsidiary Pactum Australia will run the plant. Some of its products will be sold in Australia.
The company says given Asian consumers’ rising incomes and improving diets, demand there will grow for quality dairy products from low-cost production bases such as Australia, whose milk is well regarded.
The new plant will allow Pactum to meet growing demand for UHT dairy milk, and add to capacity for value-added beverages at its Sydney factory. Pactum is expanding its capabilities at the Sydney plant to provide portion pack (200-330ml) configuration for beverage products.
The NSW location will provide access to the most sustainable and economic source of milk. Pactum has strong links to the Australian dairy industry and will expand its arrangements with dairy farmers for supply of milk. The new plant will increase scope for Australian milk supply – value-added, sustainable and export focused.
Initially the plant will produce 250ml and 1L UHT packs from a process line capable of 100 million L. The processing and packaging plant will emit less carbon, use less water, and be more energy-efficient than equivalent UHT facilities in Australia and SE Asia. Pactum expects site preparation to begin in October 2012 and start-up by mid-2013.
Pactum makes UHT products for private label and proprietary customers. Its beverages, in 1L packs, include dairy alternatives (soy, rice and almond milk), cooking stocks, dairy milk and lactose-free milk.
