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From Waste to Valuable Resource: How Electrodialysis Enhances Whey Utilization

Whey is often seen as a by-product of cheese and casein production – rich in nutrients yet challenging to process due to its high mineral content. For many dairy producers, it represents both a logistical burden and untapped potential.

With growing pressure to reduce waste, use resources more efficiently, and expand product portfolios, producers are beginning to see whey in a new light. Increasingly, they are turning to electrodialysis (ED) – a membrane separation process that enables targeted demineralization of whey for further processing or value recovery.

Why Demineralize Whey?

Whey contains a significant amount of inorganic salts and small organic ions, which can limit its usability or increase downstream processing costs. Demineralization using electrodialysis offers several advantages:

Improved sensory and functional properties: Reducing the ionic content enhances taste, eliminates off-flavours, and increases thermal stability – essential for infant formula or ultra-pure protein powders.
New product opportunities: Demineralized whey enables use in yogurts, infant nutrition, dairy drinks, and sports nutrition products.
Higher processing efficiency: Lower salt content facilitates evaporation, crystallization, and drying. Electrodialysis also reduces the use of cleaning chemicals and minimizes production downtime.

Flexible Solutions for All Types of Dairy Producers

MEGA’s electrodialysis systems can be tailored to suit different plant sizes and production needs:

For large-scale producers: When integrated after pre-concentration (e.g. ultrafiltration), ED enables the production of whey powders with a demineralization rate from D50 up to D90+, meeting strict standards for infant nutrition and export markets.
For small and medium-sized dairies: Electrodialysis allows internal reuse of whey, for example, in yogurt blends or other fermented products – reducing drying and disposal costs.

Risk-Free Implementation

Introducing a new technology can be challenging. That’s why MEGA supports its partners not only with membrane supply, but also with expert technical guidance and validation options:

Joint project definition: Collaboration with dairy experts to define objectives and assess feasibility.
Tailor-made system design: Solutions adapted to your line configuration, flow rates, and product parameters.
On-site pilot testing: Validate results under real operating conditions before scaling up production.

From Burden to Valuable Resource

Whether you're aiming to reduce costs, meet customer expectations, or expand your product portfolio, whey demineralization using electrodialysis is a proven solution. With scalable systems and decades of experience in the dairy sector, MEGA can help you turn whey into a valuable resource – not just a by-product.

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20. 1. 2026