Iranian Companies Indigenizing Production of Dairy Starters to Save 40 Million Dollars

Mohammad Amin Hejazi said that the focus of the research institute are on four areas of enhancing food security, biotechnological production of raw materials, reducing dependence on imported production inputs, and identifying and protecting indigenous microbial genetic resources.

"Using indigenous genetic capacities and low-value resources to produce the inputs needed to decrease dependence and improve the health of the community is one of the main perspectives outlined for the research institute,” he noted.

Hejazi described the lack of protein sources, the widespread import of dairy industry starters, and the widespread use of chemical preservatives and antibiotics as the major challenges facing the country's food industry, and said, "The volume of dairy industry starter imports into the country exceeds $40 million."

In a relevant development in May, an Iranian knowledge-based firm succeeded in production of a tubular sterilizer (UHT) used for dairy industry.

“This advanced machine is designed using indirect heating technology and high efficiency and is used to sterilize various products including milk, cream, flavored milks and juices,” said Ali Habibi, the managing director of the company.

According to him, high energy efficiency, precision in the process and final product quality have made this machine one of the successful examples of domestic production in the food industry.

Habibi also described the automatic cleaning unit (CIP) and the aseptic tank unit as other equipment produced by his company, and said, “These devices play an important role in optimizing production lines and improving industrial hygiene. These machines, with smart control and precise design, are fully compatible with international food industry standards and capable of competing with foreign models.”

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