The processed milk at ultra-high temperatures (UHT) has been a popular choice since its invention in the late 1950s, gaining widespread popularity for its unique qualities, long shelf life, and the convenience of transportation and storage, as stated in a Tetra Pak study on this topic, quoted by DirtyReporter.

Untapped Opportunities

As milk consumption continues to rise in most parts of the world, there are still substantial untapped opportunities for those willing to leverage this classic product.

Consumers are constantly looking for new products, but milk as a concept is far from new. So, it is essential to come up with relevant and appealing concepts, ideally addressing the unmet needs of consumers.

Tetra Pak's approach involves sharing the latest consumer research and insights, and cross-functional teams guide you through ideation sessions. The goal is to find product concepts that are fully aligned with your brand and chosen target audience.

Milk, although naturally nutritious, can be easily transformed to meet specific consumer desires for additional functional benefits. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have sought elements that boost immunity, such as vitamin D or zinc. Additionally, with a greater focus on mental health, milk blended with chamomile for improved sleep has found devoted fans.

An Ideal Base

The slightly sweet taste of UHT milk makes it an ideal base for flavored products, allowing for low sugar content—an attractive proposition amid the ongoing sugar debate.

Furthermore, the on-the-go convenience of UHT milk makes it perfect for protein-enriched beverages, targeting health and fitness enthusiasts. Exploring new flavors, adding functionalities, and even incorporating particles open doors to innovation.

Regardless of your goals, Tetra Pak's food processing technologies stand by you, adjusting ingredients and formulations, as well as fine-tuning processes until your recipe meets your expectations.

Choosing the Right Packaging

Tetra Pak's wide range of packaging solutions offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to create a distinctive package that represents your brand and stands out on the shelf. Whether large or small, basic or premium, Tetra Pak can help you find the right price for your consumers and drinking occasion—at home or on the go.

Tetra Pak can not only help you identify what milk needs in terms of functionality and design, but also communicate your values through front-of-pack labeling, certifications, and QR codes that allow additional engagement with consumers.

And, since Tetra Pak's aseptic distribution packages are largely made from renewable sources, it reinforces your commitment to sustainability.

Efficiency and Flexibility with OneStep Processing Technology

UHT processes are sometimes considered costly and complex, but that's not necessarily the case. The fastest and most efficient way to produce UHT dairy products is with the innovative OneStep technology, which combines separation, standardization, blending, and heat treatment in a single step.

This approach offers a variety of formulations and rapid product changes while significantly reducing utility consumption.

You can start from raw milk or milk powder, or a combination of both. By eliminating pasteurization and intermediate storage steps, the processing time is shortened from two days to just a few hours. If you start from powder, OneStep combines concentrate blending with in-line blending, so a separate pasteurizer is not necessary.

And there's no need for large storage tanks either. With fewer, smaller tanks, there's less clean-in-place (CIP), less maintenance, and lower product losses. As Dick Evander, Line Solutions Manager at Tetra Pak, notes: "The benefits can be significant, with costs reduced by up to 50% in total."