In Episode 6 of ZwitterCo Unfiltered, Jon Goodman and Scott Brown recap their biggest takeaways from the Membrane Technology Forum (MTF) in Minneapolis, discussing the conversations shaping today’s dairy processing industry.
At this year’s Membrane Technology Forum (MTF) in Minneapolis, one topic stood above the rest: protein.
Throughout the event, processors, OEMs, and membrane suppliers were focused on finding ways to extract more protein, put more protein in the bag, and maximize the value of every pound of milk. With continued demand for protein and strong market conditions, conversations repeatedly returned to productivity, protein recovery, and higher-value products.
One of the most interesting concepts Jon and Scott discussed was “non-revenue protein.” The idea is simple: if protein doesn’t make it into the bag, it isn’t being sold to customers and generating revenue. Every processor loses some protein into the permeate stream, but the goal is to mitigate that loss as much as possible. As protein values remain high, more companies are paying attention to exactly how much protein is ending up in permeate and what can be done to recover more of it.
That focus has also increased interest in protein analysis. Conversations throughout the conference highlighted the growing use of protein analyzers and online monitoring tools that allow processors to better understand what is happening in their systems. With the value of protein today, many see analysis and measurement as an investment that can help generate more revenue by identifying opportunities to improve recovery and reduce losses.
The broader market dynamics are helping drive this trend. Discussions at MTF reinforced the idea that protein demand remains exceptionally strong. Some attendees referenced reports of protein shortages and noted that certain plants are already sold out for the remainder of the year. With continued investment across the industry and increasing demand for protein-rich products, many expect this trend to continue for years to come.
Another recurring topic was ultrafiltered milk. Presentations and conversations highlighted the growing popularity of ultrafiltered milk products and the role membrane technology plays in enhancing protein content. As more consumers purchase ultrafiltered milk and more processors invest in production capacity, demand for membrane filtration continues to grow.
Beyond protein recovery, attendees also discussed opportunities to create more value from existing streams. One area generating increased interest was acid whey. Historically, acid whey has often been viewed as more difficult and expensive to process than sweet whey. However, with protein values where they are today, more processors appear to be evaluating whether acid whey can become a profit center rather than a disposal challenge.
Several discussions suggested that processors are either actively processing acid whey, exploring ways to process it more thoroughly, or evaluating future opportunities. As new projects come online and additional data becomes available, acid whey could become an increasingly important source of recoverable protein and additional value.
The conference also highlighted a broader industry trend toward higher-value products. As processors evaluate where to invest, many are focusing on products that deliver greater returns rather than simply increasing volume. Whether that means ultrafiltered milk, specialty ingredients, or proteins such as lactoferrin, the emphasis is increasingly on understanding customer needs, identifying where value exists, and maximizing the return from available milk supply.
Membrane performance and membrane life were also common discussion points. While many processors still think about membrane replacement on an annual basis, conversations increasingly focused on performance-based decision making. Rather than relying solely on calendar age, processors are paying closer attention to indicators such as protein passage and protein levels in permeate.
Across all these discussions, one message remained consistent: the industry is focused on maximizing value. Whether through improved protein recovery, better monitoring, acid whey processing, ultrafiltered milk production, or higher-value specialty products, processors are looking for new ways to capture more value from every pound of milk.
For attendees at MTF, the conversations made it clear that protein recovery, productivity, and innovation will continue to shape the future of dairy processing.
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