Tetra Pak launches cheese production unit

Tetra Pak launches next-generation cheddar cheese blockforming unit for manufacturers to improve environmental performance, reduce costs and minimize product loss.

“Our Tetra Tebel Blockformers are known for their excellent quality, high throughput, high accuracy, low product losses, good hygiene and low maintenance. Now we’ve made them even better, said Mark Boxall, Category Director, Cheese and Whey, Tetra Pak.

Thanks to lower energy consumption the new units offer 25% CO2 reduction compared to the Tetra Tebel Blockformer 5 TwinVac version.

The reduced use of air, water and electricity results in 20% running cost reduction per kg cheese. In addition, weight accuracy is improved by as much as 20%.

These improvements in performance are the result of a number of innovations, driven by Tetra Pak’s focus on increasing both environmental and operational efficiency, which include:

• A new door system that reduces product loss.

The unique double-action door has separate lifting and closing operations, with smooth transition of blocks to the conveyor and a tight seal against chamber – which means minimum curd losses and no leaking during cleaning in place.

• New integrated curd-air separation for easy cleaning.

The separation process is integrated into the top of the tower in order to intercept accidental carry-over of curds, thereby requiring less equipment to install leads to a reduction in cleaning time, maintenance and lower investment for the producer.

• New vacuum pumps with frequency controllers to save energy.

Unlike conventional systems – where the pumps run flat out at all times –frequency controllers run at the speed required at any given moment and the pump slows down in the event of a temporary stop on the line, resulting in lower energy consumption, operational costs and environmental impact.

• A new tower design that reduces wear and boosts quality.

The entire tower has been made much more robust for a longer, trouble-free lifetime.

It has been re-designed for easier cleaning.

The liner has a special surface treatment that provides a smooth block surface.

• A new guillotine system that cuts downtime, which can be replaced in about 20 minutes compared to other systems which require a full day’s work.

There is no need to remove the tower as it is easily accessible.

• A new elevator cylinder for easy, accurate operation, which is based on a simple pneumatic system, with a hygienic, stainless steel lowering cylinder, for reliable lowering and portioning.