DAINME-SME : Dairy Innovation for Mediterranean SME

The aim of the project is to improve circular economy of the dairy SMEs, in the Mediterranean countries. This objective will be achieved through the introduction of innovative technologies, and the development of new valuable dairy products. The general objectives are: Valorisation of by-products of cheese-making dairies, through the separation of valuable protein fractions, or through their transformation into fresh foods. Turn the use of whey for feed or for waste (in some countries, directly to the rivers) into high valuable and nutritional products for human nutrition. Valorisation of milk and whey from goat and ewe’s milk. These animals normally are feed with grazing, which is very important for the biodiversity and rural maintenance of the biosystems. Validation of new food processing technologies, which will improve sustainability and final quality product, compared with actual processes. The development of these new technologies will also boost the creation of jobs in the area. DAINME-SME project benefits from a multidisciplinary partnership, that brings together expertise, knowledge and capabilities from different fields, and pools transdisciplinary competences. It involves private and public entities; five SMEs, one Large Company and four Research institutions/Technological Centers. As dairy processors, Uniproca is specialized on goat’s milk/whey drying, Alimenta on ewe’s milk/whey drying, and Süt Ofis, is a cow’s milk/whey drying company.