A £15 MILLION project to upgrade Scotland’s largest fresh milk dairy in Bellshill – the largest single investment in Scottish dairy processing for more than a decade – was formally declared complete this week.

The upgrade of the former Wiseman plant, now owned by Müller Milk and Ingredients, was part of the company's three year restructuring programme involving the closure of its 'outdated' dairies in Aberdeen and East Kilbride, while increasing Bellshill's processing capacity up to more than 370 million litres of fresh milk and cream each year, supplied by 230 the Scottish dairy farmers in Müller's pool.

Bellshill now features a new filling hall to make cream products, two additional fresh milk production lines, energy efficient cooling systems and an extended chill space to increase capacity for finished products. It is also the only Scottish dairy with the ability to manufacture milk bottles on site which are 100% light-weight and recyclable, alongside products using recyclable Tetra Pak cartons made with renewable paperboard.

This wholly owned on-site bottle manufacturing capability cuts down unnecessary movements of vehicles and gives Müller the means to further accelerate a reduction in the use of plastic and increase the use of recycled plastic in its bottles to a target of 50% by 2020. Müller has already reached 40% recycled material use in its bottles.

As the company is now the official maker of milk and milk drinks for British Athletics, the project's completion was marked by a visit from Scottish 400 metres hurdles record holder and multiple medallist, Eilidh Doyle.

Müller Milk and Ingredients CEO Patrick Müller said: “Fresh milk deserves to be celebrated. It’s a fantastic, healthy natural product and an essential part of British life. Milk from our Bellshill dairy is sourced from local farmers who shape our landscape and our environment. It’s in fridges less than two days after leaving farms because of our investment in processing and logistics infrastructure.

“We are unique in Scotland in that our 100% recyclable packaging is not shipped in from miles away. It’s manufactured in an adjacent site before being directly passed to our filing lines," said Mr Müller. “It’s clear however that in terms of profitability, the fresh milk sector has reached a tipping point. Change is required because if processing goes, it’s gone forever. We are confident that Müller will succeed in this environment because we are well invested, progressive and efficient.

“Müller has strategic partnerships with customers and farmers. This allows us to lead with a comprehensive agricultural and quality agenda and with innovative ways to avoid and recycle plastic.”