These developments apply Pyreos’ Mid Infra-Red sensor technology to milk analysis. To be launched in India, the technology can be used by the country’s dairy industry to analyze milk quality.
India’s dairy industry is of great economic importance, with a workforce of around 70m people. India is already the world’s largest producer of milk and has significant potential to grow by improving efficiency.
Low-cost equipment
Accurate measurement of milk components and identification of a broad range of adulterants is key to supporting this industry’s growth. Additionally, collecting data can also be used nationally to improve output.
Pyreos is a UK business that was spun out of Siemens in 2007. The company has developed and patented low-cost sensors, which can be used for spectrometry in food quality applications such as milk analysis.
Pyreos said that the sensors work in the Mid Infra-Red band, which is known as the “fingerprint” band because it provides the most accurate analysis of milk components and adulterants.
The sensor technology, which has no moving parts and features ultra-low running costs, is better optimized for milk analyzers than other technologies, the company says, as other instruments frequently need annual calibration and can only identify a limited number of adulterants.
Dairy industry set to double
Andrew Wallace, CEO of Pyreos, said, “We have been working to combine Bosch India’s immense engineering and product expertise together with our unique sensor technology to identify products which can be trialled in the Indian market in 2016.
“Indian milk output has grown fast and team has been focussed on delivering quality technology, which will help improve milk quality and the Indian dairy industry’s profitability. Pyreos is delighted to have participated in this joint development.”
Pyreos and Bosch India will continue their co-operation and launch product pilots across India in 2016.
A report by the Investor Relations Society forecast that the value of the Indian dairy market will double between 2013 and 2020 from $70bn to $140bn as India prepares to overtake China with the world’s biggest population.