The Dairy Processing Technology Centre hosted at the Bernal Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with dairy research centre VistaMilk.
The deal aims to exploit synergies and collaborative opportunities for the benefit of future dairy research between the two leading dairy research centres.
The Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC) are driving future growth and sustainability in the Irish dairy processing sector through advances in processing and sustainable manufacturing.
Founded in 2014, it aims to provide a step change to Irish dairy processors with high quality pre-competitive research, delivering significant technical impact and economic value for the sector.
VistaMilk is a Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre whose primary focus is to be an agent of responsible growth for the Irish dairy and Agri-Tech industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – signed on August 9 – will leverage the competitive advantages of both research centres to support high-quality collaborations to the benefit of the entire Irish dairy sector.
The DPTC and VistaMilk have common industry and academic partners and therefore active collaboration will be highly advantageous and synergistic to all parties. It will facilitate alignment of research objectives, to deliver the latest science and technology in dairy processing.
A major ambition is to establish the linkages between those factors in production which determine processability of milk and dairy products. The MoU will provide a mechanism for ‘two-way’ sharing of milk production and processing data, in a supportive environment.
The signing of the MoU underscores a shared effort to advance open, inclusive and progressive focus on dairy processing research and recognises and reaffirms the synergies between the two research centres.
“We recognise the value of the work that VistaMilk is doing, and are confident that this MOU will be a key part of the DPTC’s broader strategy, enhancing both parties’ strategic collaborations, while increasing opportunities for the dairy industry. We look forward to working together,” Dr Anne Marie Henihan, the recently-appointed DPTC Centre Director, explained.
Speaking on behalf of VistaMilk, Centre Director Professor Donagh Berry said: “Both Centres have important roles in the dairy research and innovation ecosystem and this strategic alliance will harness the enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge base of both industry-academic consortia to the envy of others globally. I am really excited about this strengthening of collaboration with the DPTC.”
DPTC is an academic-industry collaboration and partners include – Arrabawn Co-op., Carbery Food Ingredients Ltd., Dairygold Food Ingredients, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, Kerry Group, Lakeland Dairies Co-op, and Tipperary Co-op.
DPTC research is allocated among the partner Research Performing Organisations (RPOs). Currently, the Centre collaborates with seven RPOs; 51ɫ (UL) (Host Institution), Teagasc, University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Dublin City University (DCU) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
The VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, which began in 2018, represents a unique collaboration between Agri-Food and information communications technology (ICT) research institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. It is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM).