Production line and factory setup overview
A by-product beverage line that receives only food-grade sweet or acid whey from a controlled cheese process, screens and clarifies it, standardizes acidity and solids, blends potable water, sugar or approved sweetener and flavor, applies a validated heat treatment, cools or hot-fills according to the chosen formulation, closes, codes and stores the drink. It is not a whey-protein-isolate plant.
Recommended lowest-entry line configuration For the lowest credible entry, use same-day food-grade whey from one cheese line, a 300-500 L receiving/blending tank, coarse and fine filters, batch pasteurizer, protected balance tank, semi-automatic bottle filler/capper and basic CIP. Launch one non-carbonated flavor in purchased bottles; exclude membrane concentration and protein powder.
Production process and implementation sequence
- Same-day food-grade whey receiving and release
- Coarse screening and optional clarification
- Acidity, solids and recipe standardization
- Potable water, sugar and flavor blending
- Validated batch heat treatment
- Cooling or controlled hot-fill route
- Bottle filling, capping and coding
- Release testing, storage and dispatch
Products, capacity and market fit
- Cheese whey can become a saleable beverage instead of a high-load waste stream.
- A beverage branch improves value recovery from a small cheese plant.
- One non-carbonated flavor limits formulation and packaging cost.
- Afghan fruit flavors can be tested after acidity and shelf-life validation.
- Still flavored whey drink - Declared whey content, acidity, soluble solids, flavor and validated shelf life - Value retail and institutional refreshment
- Fruit-flavored whey drink - Approved fruit ingredient, stable appearance and controlled heat treatment - Retail after pilot stability trials
Core production machinery and line specifications
| Machine / stage | Function / value | Production note |
|---|---|---|
| Whey receiving tank and screen | Receives same-day food-grade whey and removes curd fines | 300-500 L entry |
| Fine filter or clarifier | Improves beverage appearance | Selected after whey trial |
| Jacketed blending tank | Controls water, sweetener, acid and flavor recipe | 300-500 L/batch |
| Batch pasteurizer | Applies the validated beverage heat process | Recorded time and temperature |
| Protected balance tank | Feeds filler through a closed path | Sanitary gentle agitation |
| Semi-automatic bottle filler/capper | Packages one non-carbonated drink | Purchased bottles, one size |
| Coder and inspection table | Applies traceability and checks closure | Manual release gate |
| CIP and quality bench | Supports hygiene and product checks | Whey-specific cleaning plan |
Raw materials, utilities and factory requirements
- Same-day food-grade sweet or acid whey from one approved cheese process
- Potable water, food-grade sugar or approved sweetener
- Approved flavor, acid and optional fruit ingredient
- Purchased bottles, caps, labels, cartons and detergents
- Stable electricity matched to motors, controls and refrigeration
- Potable process and cleaning water
- Washable food-grade rooms with drainage and pest control
- Segregated raw-milk, ingredients, packaging and finished-goods areas
- Steam or hot water, chilled water and compressed air only where specified
Indicative low-entry investment and implementation plan
These planning ranges prioritize economical machinery, local labor and local civil works. Final pricing follows confirmed capacity, product specification, delivery terms and site conditions.
| Scope | Indicative range | Entry-plan note |
|---|---|---|
| Whey receiving, screening and filtration | US$3k-8k | One approved whey source |
| Blending and batch heat treatment | US$6k-15k | 300-500 L/batch |
| Bottle filling, capping and coding | US$4k-11k | One purchased bottle size |
| CIP and quality tools | US$3k-8k | One non-carbonated flavor |
| Freight, installation and spares | US$4k-9k | Sanitary commissioning |
| Indicative low-entry total | US$20k-51k | Cheese line, membranes, powder plant and building excluded |
Detailed proposal and next step
The proposal contains the complete line flow, machinery scope, raw-material and utility requirements, implementation stages and indicative entry planning. Final configuration follows confirmed products, capacity, site and budget.