Our Research

DPTC has an integrated, cohesive framework with a ‘Total Process Chain Approach to Excellence in Dairy Processing’. This approach was devised to enable a system change along the entire processing chain from milk intake to effluent discharge. This ambitious, whole process-based approach to addressing industry needs has been developed to maximise opportunities for the benefit of the DPTC industry member.

Key Sectoral Challenges

As an industry-lead Enterprise Ireland Technology Centre, the needs for Industry are always to the fore. The DPTC is adaptive and reactive to the ever evolving needs and challenges of the sector. We prioritise our efforts in common sectoral challenges and we are currently focusing on these three areas:

Predictive & Adaptive Processing

Increasing efficiencies, product yield, product quality and functionality through the understanding of seasonal variability in milk composition.

SUSTAINABLE PROCESSING

Reducing the Irish Dairy Processing industry’s greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water usage, and valorising low-value process and waste streams to meet national and global sustainability targets.

EMERGING CONTAMINANTS

Identifying food safety risks to the dairy industry from emerging contaminants, enabling industry partners to proactively address customer and regulatory challenges.

Strategic Objectives

In line with our mission to be the essential differentiators for innovation in dairy processing, driving value creation across the sector, our guiding principles and strategic objectives are as follows:

Create added-value through collaborative research

Build a platform for innovation to support industry to become global leaders in advanced & sustainable processing

Drive change to deliver real economic impact for industry

DPTC Research Programme

In response to the key sectoral challenges, we have developed a comprehensive and multidisciplinary research programme that encompasses the three research themes supported by a complementary Dairy Process and Engineering Test Bed. The DPTC research programme leverages future technologies, technical and scientific expertise, and aims to boost the innovative capability and efficiencies of the dairy processing industry. For further details visit the Capabilities section.

Our core research programme spans across three Research themes, which are supported by a complementary ENABLING PLATFORM DAIRY PROCESS AND ENGINEERING TEST BED. The DPTC research programme leverages future technologies, technical and scientific expertise, and aims to boost the innovative capability and efficiencies of the dairy processing industry.

DPTC Fora

Enabling members to connect, knowledge share, and provide an opportunity for members to connect with like-minded people and participate in a shared experience.

The DPTC Sustainability Innovation Forum (SIF) supports and delivers impact to Irish dairy processers in meeting their sustainable targets by identifying zero and net zero carbon solutions without impacting on their commercial growth. The forum will advance the knowledge and identify solutions of sustainable technologies, techniques and know-how, that will increase the sustainability, efficiency and affordability in the growth of dairy processing for suppliers, vendors and users, long-term.

The DPTC Emerging Contaminants Forum (ECF) was created in response to an industry need. It was deemed necessary for industry to create a platform to share knowledge and to facilitate aligned responses regarding contaminants for customers and auditors.

The ECF is led by Professor Enda Cummins (UCD). It will allow the DPTC to provide an industry-led, aligned, coherent voice to the Regulatory Authorities (via industry bodies), giving a joint Dairy Ireland approach to assess emerging limits from regulations or customer requirements.