By Tetra Pak

Tetra Pak, the world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, has acquired Minneapolis-based Filtration Engineering Company, Inc., the US market leader in membrane filtration technology for the dairy and cheese industries.

Filtration Engineering, a privately-held company established in 1982, specializes in the design, construction and commissioning of membrane filtration systems used in the areas of milk, whey and specialized waste treatment systems. The company employs 39 people.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, combines Filtration Engineering’s expertise in spiral membrane technology with Tetra Pak’s existing ceramic membrane systems portfolio, expanding Tetra Pak’s broad-based portfolio of system and application knowledge for dairy, cheese and whey processing applications.

“The acquisition of Filtration Engineering strengthens our portfolio of products, solutions and services for dairy and cheese applications as well as provides us with additional knowledge and competence,” said Tim High, executive vice president Processing Systems, Tetra Pak.

“Adding Filtration Engineering’s technical expertise in membrane filtration and its US market leadership to our expertise in ceramic filtration and global market presence is a winning combination for Filtration Engineering, Tetra Pak and our customers around the world,” said High.

Over the past 10 years Filtration Engineering has collaborated with Tetra Pak on a number of projects in the US. According to the terms of the agreement, Filtration Engineering will remain in its current location in Champlin, Minnesota and form a unit of Tetra Pak Cheese and Powder Systems Inc. Existing sales channels outside the USA will be maintained in a number of markets, with further global coverage through Tetra Pak market operations.

SOURCE: Tetra Pak