IDMC Commissions Fully Automated Dairy Processing Plant for Freshways in the UK
In a significant milestone for India’s dairy engineering sector, IDMC Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has successfully inaugurated a fully automated 1 million litres per day (MLPD) dairy processing plant for Freshways in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The facility was inaugurated by Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB and IDMC Ltd, in the presence of Shri Rajkumar Malik, Managing Director of IDMC Ltd, Shri S. Rajeev, Executive Director of NDDB, Mr. Bali Nijjar, Managing Director and Co-owner of Freshways, along with other industry dignitaries.
A Showcase of Indian Dairy Engineering Excellence
Designed, manufactured, and delivered entirely from India, the state-of-the-art facility represents a major achievement for Indian dairy engineering on the global stage. The project highlights India’s increasing capability to provide advanced, cost-effective, and technologically sophisticated dairy infrastructure solutions to international markets.
The Birmingham plant is equipped with:
- 🥛 Advanced milk reception and processing systems
- 🏭 Large-capacity storage silos
- 🔄 Automated Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems
- ♻️ Product recovery technologies
- 🌡️ High-efficiency heat exchangers
- ⚙️ Integrated automation and process control solutions
The incorporation of these technologies is expected to enhance operational efficiency, product quality, food safety standards, and sustainability across Freshways’ dairy operations.
Strengthening India’s Global Dairy Footprint
The commissioning of the project aligns closely with India’s broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, demonstrating how Indian manufacturing and engineering capabilities are increasingly gaining recognition in international markets.
Speaking during the inauguration, Dr. Meenesh Shah noted that the successful execution of the Birmingham project reflects the strength of international collaboration and the growing confidence global dairy companies place in Indian expertise.
He emphasized that the project reinforces IDMC’s ability to deliver world-class dairy processing solutions while supporting customers through innovative, reliable, and sustainable technologies.
Strategic Importance for the Global Dairy Industry
The successful completion of this project carries significance beyond a single facility. It underscores an emerging trend where Indian companies are moving up the value chain from being domestic equipment suppliers to becoming global providers of integrated dairy processing solutions.
As dairy processors worldwide increasingly seek automation, energy efficiency, traceability, and sustainable production systems, companies such as IDMC are well-positioned to capitalize on growing international demand.
The project also highlights the expanding role of India in exporting not only dairy products but also dairy technologies, engineering expertise, and processing infrastructure.
A New Chapter for Indian Dairy Technology Exports
India remains the world’s largest milk producer, and the country’s dairy ecosystem has developed extensive expertise in managing large-scale milk procurement, processing, and distribution networks.
The successful commissioning of the Freshways facility in Birmingham serves as a testament to the maturity of India’s dairy engineering capabilities and could pave the way for additional international partnerships in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other emerging dairy markets.
As global dairy companies continue investing in modernization and automation, Indian firms are increasingly demonstrating their ability to compete with established international engineering providers, positioning India as an important hub for next-generation dairy infrastructure solutions.
