Role of modelling and model simulation in food industry: A dairy case

Modelling and model Simulation are considered to be powerful tools that are widespread amongst universities, research institutes and industry. Industry? Looking to the daily practice of food industry, in this case the dairy industry, the role of models in research and development, engineering and process control is less pronounced than one would expect. In this paper the role and value of models in new product development and processing in Campina, one of the major European dairy companies will be discussed. Subjects like the type of models that are used, the limitations of modelling in dairy research, the success factors for modelling, the role of universities and research institutes, and future expectations will be treated. The daily practice of model simulations will be illustrated by two cases: foam stability cheese milk pasteurisation.