Tetra Pak Demonstrates How Existing Dairy Infrastructure Can Deliver Significant Emissions Reductions

Tetra Pak Demonstrates How Existing Dairy Infrastructure Can Deliver Significant Emissions Reductions

(IN BRIEF) Tetra Pak has published a study showing that dairy producers can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve efficiency by upgrading existing processing equipment rather than replacing entire systems. The assessment, reviewed by the Carbon Trust, found that emissions could be reduced by up to 49%, alongside substantial reductions in water use and product losses. These improvements can be achieved using currently available technologies, providing a practical and immediate pathway for the dairy industry to enhance sustainability. If implemented globally, the upgrades could deliver major carbon savings and resource efficiencies. The study highlights the importance of incremental innovation, supported by policy incentives, in driving the transition toward more resilient and environmentally responsible dairy production.

(PRESS RELEASE) LAUSANNE, 8-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Tetra Pak has released a new study highlighting how dairy producers can significantly reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency by upgrading existing processing equipment rather than undertaking full system replacements.

According to the Dairy Processing Impact Assessment, modernising current dairy processing lines can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 40% and 49%, depending on the configuration. The findings demonstrate that these gains can be achieved using solutions already available on the market, offering producers a practical and immediate pathway to more sustainable operations.

The study, independently reviewed by the Carbon Trust, applies internationally recognised methodologies for calculating avoided emissions. It compares best-practice processing lines from 2019 with upgraded systems modelled for 2025, quantifying the potential benefits of implementing targeted improvements across global dairy operations.

The dairy sector plays a vital role in global food systems but is also a significant contributor to environmental impact, accounting for approximately 2.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. Against this backdrop, the study identifies a major opportunity for producers to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and lower emissions without waiting for new technologies or committing to large-scale infrastructure changes.

Beyond emissions reductions, the assessment indicates that upgrading existing equipment can deliver broader operational benefits. These include an average reduction of 47% in greenhouse gas emissions, 45% in water usage, and 57% in product losses. If implemented at scale worldwide, such improvements could result in carbon savings of up to 12.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, comparable to removing approximately three million cars from the road. Additionally, water-saving technologies could reduce global water consumption in dairy processing by as much as 455 million cubic metres annually.

Rodrigo Godoi, Vice President of Processing Portfolio Management at Tetra Pak, noted that many dairy producers face ongoing challenges in balancing efficiency with cost management. He emphasized that incremental upgrades to existing lines can deliver meaningful improvements in energy use, water consumption, and product yield, while also lowering the total cost of ownership without disrupting operations.

The study also underscores the importance of supportive policy frameworks and access to financial incentives to help producers overcome initial investment barriers and accelerate the adoption of these improvements across the sector.

Tetra Pak’s portfolio of available solutions includes electrically powered heat pump systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, integrated process technologies such as OneStep processing for milk and yoghurt that streamline operations, and advanced filtration and recovery systems. These solutions enable the recovery of water and product from processing and cleaning operations, further improving resource efficiency.

Veronika Thieme, Associate Director Europe at the Carbon Trust, highlighted the role of avoided emissions analysis in demonstrating the potential impact of such technologies. She noted that quantifying these benefits provides a strong evidence base to support wider adoption and drive progress toward decarbonisation in the agricultural and food sectors.

Through this study, Tetra Pak demonstrates that meaningful sustainability gains in dairy production can be achieved today by optimising existing infrastructure, offering a scalable and cost-effective approach to reducing environmental impact while maintaining operational performance.

ABOUT TETRA PAK

We’re here to make food safe and available. It’s why we provide advanced food production systems. In collaboration with our customers and suppliers, driven by more than 24,000 dedicated employees worldwide, we protect food sustainably every day for hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries. Because we’re here to fulfil a purpose:

We commit to making food safe and available, everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people and the planet.

More information about Tetra Pak is available at tetrapak.com

Media Contact:

Tetra Pak PR Contact:
Henry Stout
Tetra Pak
Henry.stout@tetrapak.com

SOURCE: Tetra Pak