The winners of the third annual IDF Dairy Innovation Awards were announced today, 18 October, during a Special Plenary Session on Innovation at the IDF World Dairy Summit 2024 in Paris, France.

During this session, videos showcasing the innovative solutions were presented, highlighting the remarkable achievements of the awardees. 

Vincenzo Beneveto, Vice President Processing Liquid Food Solutions, Tetra Pak U.S, keynote speaker of the event, delivered some inspiring words to all the winners, finalists, and attendees.

The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards is an International Dairy Federation initiative designed to celebrate and encourage innovative practices across the global dairy sector, which was first launched in 2022 in partnership with Zenith Global and supported by headline sponsorship from Tetra Pak.

With a particular focus on Sustainability, both in terms of environmental care and positive social impact, the awards seek to stimulate innovative practices that improve farming and processing of milk and dairy foods.

“Innovation, as we envision it, is all about introducing novel approaches to designing, producing, and marketing goods and services that create positive change. It is the driving force that propels us forward and allows us to remain at the forefront of our field” IDF President, Piercristiano Brazzale, stated. “This innovation must be deeply intertwined with scientific research and knowledge, forging a symbiotic relationship that ensures continual progress”, he concluded.

In this years edition, the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards received a remarkable 153 entries from 25 countries, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm and commitment to showcasing innovation across the global dairy sector. The entries show that the Dairy Sector’s commitment with innovation and sustainability has no boundaries and may be found in every link of the milk and dairying production chain.

The Winners

Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Environment

• Teagasc, Bord Bia and ICBF – AgNav – Ireland. AgNav is the new innovative sustainability platform providing Irish dairy farmers with accurate and verifiable data and supporting decision making on farms to help reduce emissions and enhance water quality. Its overarching objective is to help farmers improve productivity and ensure economic viability, while setting new environmental sustainability standards.

Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Animal Care

• Amul Dairy – Amul Dairy – India. Amul Dairy has pioneered the use of homeopathic medicine for dairy animals, aiming to combat antimicrobial resistance. Through innovative treatments for 26 common ailments, over 68,000 animals were successfully treated, reducing antibiotic usage and promoting sustainable dairy farming. Till May 2024 Amul has manufactured 3.30 lac homeopathic medicine bottles of 30 ml and distributed 1.80 Lac till May 2024.This holistic approach enhances animal and public health.

Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Socio Economic

• National Dairy Development Board – Sundarban Cooperative Milk & Livestock Producers’ Union Limited – India. Sundarban Cooperative Milk & Livestock Producers’ Union Limited, the first all-women organic dairy cooperative in the Sundarbans, empowers over 4,500 marginalized women farmers. By integrating organic dairy production with multi-commodity agriculture, it provides sustainable livelihoods, elevates women’s social status, and fosters socio-economic transformation, ensuring prosperity and sustainable development in the

Innovation in Sustainable Processing

• Asha Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited – Asha Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited – India. Solar based Instant Milk Chillers – A pathbreaking off grid sustainable initiative for geographies characterised by small holder dairy farmers in the

Innovation in Sustainable Packaging

• Danone – Actimel removes the plastic sleeve – France. Danone has taken strong commitments towards circular and low-carbon packaging. The Actimel brand embodies this packaging transformation and in 2023, removed the plastic sleeve on its iconic bottle, allowing it to reach 99% recyclability and reduce plastic consumption across EU!

Innovation in New Product Development – Human Nutrition

• Inner Mongolia Dairy Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd – Satine Active Lactoferrin Organic Pure Milk – China. Satine Active Lactoferrin Organic Pure Milk, through technology innovation, has achieved a high retention rate of 90% active lactoferrin in ambient temperature milk, with 8 times the active lactoferrin nutrition, safeguard consumers’

Innovation in New Product Development – Equipment

• Unisensor – Aurox System – Belgium. Imagine the ease of a coffee maker, translated to milk antibiotic screening. The aurox combines robotics and lateral flow test tech in an

unprecedented simplicity, aiding dairies and truck drivers’ workload every day. Its failproof design delivers industry-leading reliability, ready for seamless integration into milk transportation and storage systems.

Innovation in Climate Action

• STgenetics – Ecofeed® – USA. Ecofeed® – Genetics for permanent and cumulative reduction of methane emissions based on more than 25,000 progeny records for feed efficiency. By identifying animals with superior feed efficiency and reduced methane,

producers can enhance profitability while promoting a sustainable dairy industry and world for the next generations of farmers and consumers.

Innovation in Women Empowerment

• International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) – Women in Dairy network – USA. IDFA’s Women in Dairy network works to improve recruiting, retention, and gender equality within the

U.S. dairy sector through data-based reporting and tools, C-suite engagement, and by fostering networking and professional and leadership development. IDFA also published the 2024 State of Women in Dairy Report, which summarized survey findings and industry-wide recommendations regarding the treatment of women in dairy.

Innovation in Marketing & Communication

• J-milk – J-milk – Japan. In order to combat calcium deficiency in approximately 10 million children, we have launched and implemented about 20 projects in cooperation with stakeholders from the dairy industry, schools and Parents of children who learn about the campaign are 45% more willing to give milk to their children on weekends. It was clear that the work on the project had a positive effect.

About IDF (International Dairy Federation)

Helping nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy

The IDF is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders of the dairy chain. Since 1903, IDF has provided a mechanism for the dairy sector to reach a global consensus on how to help feed the world with safe and sustainable dairy products. A recognized international

authority in the development of science-based standards for the dairy sector, IDF has an important role to play in ensuring the right policies, standards, practices, and regulations are in place to ensure the world’s dairy products are safe and sustainable.