Windhoek:Namibia Dairies has announced an investment of approximately N$54.5 million in a state-of-the-art Tetra Pak A3 Flex filling line. This new equipment replaces the former system that had been in use for more than 15 years for packaging the country's only locally produced long-life milk.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the new filling line is capable of processing up to 8,000 packs per hour and includes advanced features such as a conveyor system, helix accumulator, cardboard packer, and cap application technology. This investment is part of Namibia Dairies' strategy to enhance production efficiency and reduce packaging waste from approximately 4 percent to 1.5 percent.
Dr. Sven Thieme, O and L Group Executive Chairperson, visited the Namibia Dairies facility to witness the new production line in action. He expressed confidence in the technology, stating that the company is investing in the future of Namibian manufacturing. The updated equipment is expected to minimize unplanned production downtime and reduce stockholding requirements and supply chain costs by sourcing packaging materials from South Africa.
The Tetra Pak A3 Flex line plays a crucial role in the ultra-high temperature (UHT) production process, ensuring that long-life milk and other products are aseptically filled, sealed, and packaged with a shelf life of six to nine months. Additionally, the new packaging introduces direct injection-moulded caps with tamper-proof seals.
This investment also opens up opportunities for producing 500ml UHT packs and expanding into non-refrigerated juice products. Furthermore, it allows the company to process additional milk from Namibian and regional producers.
Namibia Dairies, part of the O and L Group, was established in 1997 following the merger of Melkor and Bonmilk and operates depots in Windhoek and Oshakati. Its !Aimab Superfarm near Mariental, created in 2009, is home to approximately 1,400 lactating cows, producing an average of 35,000 liters of milk daily. The company is recognized for pioneering long-life milk in Namibia.