A breakthrough dairy technology developed in Canberra, Australia, could help prevent more than 70 million tonnes of milk waste annually, addressing one of the dairy industry’s biggest hidden challenges. Developed by PPB Technology, the innovation uses advanced biosensors to rapidly measure contaminants and enzyme activity in raw milk, allowing dairy processors to identify quality issues in just three minutes, compared to the two to three days typically required for conventional laboratory testing.
The technology, known as Cybertongue, measures levels of protease, an enzyme that can spoil dairy products and significantly reduce shelf life, particularly in UHT (ultra-high-temperature) milk. By identifying milk with elevated protease levels, processors can redirect it to less sensitive products such as cheese and yogurt or apply appropriate treatment before processing, reducing waste and improving product quality. According to PPB Technology founder Stephen Trowell, the system could save between one-third and one-half of the milk currently wasted globally.
The innovation targets a major global issue. According to estimates cited in the report, nearly one-sixth of the world’s milk production is wasted, amounting to more than 150 million tonnes annually. With global milk production reaching approximately 979 million tonnes in 2024, reducing these losses could have significant economic, environmental and food security benefits. The impact is particularly relevant for the UHT milk sector, which has an estimated global value of nearly $100 billion and accounts for at least half of the world’s drinking milk consumption.
PPB Technology launched its dairy-focused application in 2023, and the system is already being used across North America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Central Asia and India. Beyond dairy quality management, the company is exploring future applications in food allergen detection, bacterial toxin testing, environmental monitoring and healthcare diagnostics. Industry observers believe the technology could help processors improve margins, extend shelf life, reduce food waste and strengthen sustainability efforts across the global dairy supply chain. (ABC News)
Source: Dairynews7x7 08 June, 2026 Read full story here
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