Developments in the Process Technologies of Milk Tablets and Scale-up Considerations

A novel product, the skim milk powder (SMP) tablet, offers multiple advantages over conventional milk powder, including improved handling, enhanced storage stability, reduced hygroscopicity, lower stickiness, and precise quantification. This chapter presents the development and pilot-scale validation of the technology, aimed at achieving a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 through the establishment of a pilot-scale SMP tablet production facility with a capacity of 10,000 tablets per hour. The project’s initial phase involved identifying and commissioning an appropriate rotary tableting system, followed by the integration of auxiliary components to ensure efficient and continuous operation. Further research expanded the scope to assess the feasibility of compressing other milk powders, namely whole milk powder (WMP) and goat milk powder (GMP), and to optimize the SMP compression process. An eight-station rotary tableting machine was determined to be the most suitable configuration based on its production capacity, tablet diameter flexibility, operating pressure, and cost efficiency. Sensory evaluation using fuzzy logic analysis rated the developed milk tablets from “Good” to “Very Good,” confirming their consumer acceptability. The chapter highlights the commercial potential of milk tablets and underscores how advancements in pilot-scale tableting methods enhance technology transferability, thereby accelerating the path toward industrial adoption and market commercialization.