The first UHT products are expected to roll off the line next August, with the co-operative cashing in on demand from Asia for foodservice products such as Anchor whipping cream.
Lower South Island operations general manager Andrew Johns said the Edendale investment was about meeting demand from growing markets and building for the future.
The plant will initially process more than 50million litres of UHT cream a year, with the ability to go beyond 100million litres by 2030.
Construction began in January, with the walls and concrete slabs for processing and packing visible from State Highway 1 and most of the roof now on.
Progress is being made on the product store and distribution warehouse, with external excavation nearly complete and foundations going in for the container yard.
More than 50 people were working on the build and this would treble soon. — Allied Media
