Filtration of dairy products

Filtration in the dairy industry – ensuring hygiene, quality and efficiency

Filtration plays a central role in the dairy industry, where both product quality, food safety and process stability depend on the implementation of the right filtration solutions.

At Nordic Filtration, we offer tailor-made filtration systems that meet the industry's strict requirements for hygiene, efficiency and food-approved equipment.

In our range you will find a wide range of products that meet the strict requirements for the production of dairy products.

Why is filtration important in dairy production?

In dairies, filtration is used both for the dairy products themselves and for process fluids such as water, steam and compressed air. Filtration is necessary to:

   • Remove particles, bacteria and impurities from milk and other dairy products. 
   • Ensure clean compressed air and process air free of oil, water and microorganisms. 
   • Protect equipment and extend the life of valves, pumps and heat exchangers. 
   • Comply with food standards such as EHEDG and EU hygiene regulations.

Types of filters in the dairy industry

In the brewing industry, filtration typically takes place in several stages:

Depending on the filtration task, different types of filters are used throughout the dairy process line:

1. Inlet filtration – before the milk is processed
Larger particles and impurities are filtered out at the inlet of raw milk. Mesh filters or sieve filters with stainless steel filter housings that are CIP-compatible (Clean-In-Place) are typically used here.

2. Membrane filtration – for concentration and separation
In processes such as ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis (RO), membrane filters are used to:

   • Separate proteins and fats. 
   • Concentrate whey. 
   • Remove bacteria and viruses.

These filters are carefully selected according to pore size and material choice, typically with sanitary stainless steel filter housings.

3. Sterile filtration – for the final product
When the product is nearing the end of the process (e.g. when bottling milk, yoghurt or cream), sterile filters are used to eliminate microorganisms and ensure the product’s shelf life.

4. Compressed air filtration – clean air for food contact
Compressed air is used in many places in a dairy – from activating valves to transport and packaging. Here, high demands are placed on the purity of the air. Therefore, a multi-stage filtration system is used consisting of:

   • Particle filters (typically down to 1 micron)
   • Coalescence filters to remove oil and water
   • Activated carbon filters to remove odors and vapors
   • Sterile filters for critical points with product contact

What are the requirements for filtration in dairies?

Filtration equipment in the food industry must meet strict requirements:

   • Food-approved materials (FDA, EU 1935/2004)
   • Hygienic design (EHEDG, 3-A Sanitary Standards)
   • CIP/SIP compatibility for easy cleaning and sterilization
   • Trace-free and contamination-proof filtration
   • Documentation and traceability

Filter housings must be made of stainless steel (typically AISI 316L), with polished surfaces and sanitary welds to avoid bacterial growth. The continuous design prevents blind zones and makes cleaning efficient.

Examples of applications of filtration in a dairy

   • Milk inlet → coarse filtration against particles
   • Pasteurized milk → membrane or sterile filtration
   • Yogurt production → concentration via ultrafiltration
   • Cheese production → separation of whey and proteins
   • Ice water and process water → mechanical and microbiological filtration
   • Compressed air for bottling plants → multi-stage sterile filtration

Ofte stillede spørgsmål (FAQ)

Nordic Filtration tilbyder et bredt sortiment af filtre og filterhuse tilpasset bryggeri- og destilleribranchen:

Hvilket filter skal jeg bruge til at klare øl?
Et dybdefilter på 1–5 mikron er typisk ideelt til klaring. Til sterilfiltrering anbefales et 0,45 eller 0,2 mikron membranfilter.

Er det nødvendigt at filtrere spiritus?
Ja – filtrering fjerner uønskede biprodukter, forbedrer udseende og kan justere smagsprofilen uden at ændre alkoholprocenten.

Kan I levere komplette filtreringssystemer?
Ja, hos Nordic Filtration leverer vi både enkeltkomponenter og komplette løsninger, herunder filterhuse, patroner, poser og CIP-venlige systemer til både små og store producenter.

Hvilke standarder skal overholdes?
Alle produkter til fødevarebrug skal som minimum være i overensstemmelse med FDA og EU’s fødevarekontaktforordning.