Comparative energy efficiencies of the dairy manufacturing and processing industry: Australia and New Zealand

Abstract The Australian and New Zealand dairy industries process similar volumes of milk into a similar range of products. Energy efficiency studies in both industries reveal differences in specific energy consumption for particular products between the two countries. The average specific fuel consumption is lower for Australian market milk factories, where milk is packaged into cartons. In New Zealand, milk is packaged into bottles, and energy-intensive bottle washers are required. Average specific energy consumptions for cheddar cheese plants are similar in both countries. Average specific energy consumption in New Zealand milk powder plants is lower than in Australia. In most cases, the specific energy consumption of the newest New Zealand dairy plants is lower than the newest Australian plants. Possible reasons for the differences in energy consumption include: ⊎ different energy prices between the two countries; ⊎ higher availability of technical and engineering resources within individual New Zealand firms; ⊎ dairy engineers in Australia not generally part of the management team; and ⊎ focus for industry initiatives in New Zealand through the New Zealand Dairy Board and the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute.