The highly anticipated International Dairy Federation (IDF) Joint Symposium on Dairy Drying Technology and Recombined Milk Products will take place from 13–15 May 2025 at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork. Co-organised by Teagasc, the International Dairy Federation (IDF), and University College Cork (UCC), the event will bring together over 250 delegates from 25 countries to explore the latest scientific and industrial advances in dairy powders and recombined milk technologies.
This three-day international symposium features a rich programme of keynote lectures, technical presentations, and panel discussions, offering a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange among academics, industry leaders, technologists, policymakers, and students.
Event Highlights:
Delegates can expect expert-led sessions on:
- Spray Drying and Powder Engineering – particle morphology, agglomeration, fouling detection.
- Recombined Dairy Products – functional foods, infant formula, ingredient innovation.
- Sustainability and Digitalisation – water recovery, energy efficiency, digital twins, machine learning
- Protein and Ingredient Functionality – casein micelle structure, whey-based systems, hybrid matrices
- Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) – online monitoring, advanced analytics.
- Panels & Competitions – discussion forums and early-career researcher awards
Keynote Speakers:
Seven internationally recognised experts will headline the symposium, including representatives from:
- Université de Lorraine (France)
- University of Minnesota (USA)
- Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands)
- Jiangnan University (China)
- Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil)
- University of Auckland (New Zealand)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA)
These thought leaders will address cutting-edge topics in dairy science, processing innovation, and sustainable food systems.
The symposium will feature several expert contributions from the Teagasc Food Programme. Prominent researchers will present on key themes including Dr. Noel McCarthy on powder morphology and reconstitution challenges; Dr. Jonathan Magan on seasonal optimisation of skim milk powder manufacturing; and Dr. Norah O’Shea on the use of advanced process analytical technologies in dairy powder production.
There will also be complementary talks from emerging scientists. Dr. Sophie Gaspard will explore viscosity control in milk concentrates; Viraj Weerasingha will speak on solute migration in casein matrices; Tim Hoekstra on nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors for recombined dairy; and Doll Chutani will explore controlling Maillard reactions in electrostatically dried powders.
Global Reach and National Relevance:
With confirmed participants from Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, the symposium highlights Ireland’s leadership in global dairy research. Stakeholders across academia, government, and the private sector will be represented, fostering strong cross-sector dialogue.
Speaking in advance of the symposium, Minister Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said: “I am proud to support the IDF Joint Symposium on Dried Dairy and Recombined Milk Products, an important platform driving innovation, market development, and global collaboration in the dairy sector. As Minister with responsibility for new markets and research, I have seen first-hand the importance of building a sustainable and competitive dairy industry. As we look to the future, events like this strengthen our international partnerships and display Ireland’s leadership in dairy science and technology. They play a key role in sustaining a competitive, research-driven agri-food economy”.
Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc said: “Teagasc is proud of its longstanding role in delivering research and innovation to support the advancement of Ireland’s dried dairy sector, an industry with exports valued at approximately €3 billion annually and vital to rural communities across the country. The upcoming Joint Symposium highlights Teagasc’s central position in this space and will provide a key platform for sharing the latest ideas and technologies that will drive the sustainable growth of both the Irish and global dairy industries.”
Dr Mark Fenelon, Head of Teagasc’s Food Programme and national secretary for IDF Ireland said: “Ireland has built a global reputation for excellence in dairy science, and Teagasc is proud to play a leading role in that success through world-class research and innovation. As Head of Teagasc’s Food Programme and Secretary of the IDF Irish Committee, I’m delighted to see the Joint Symposium come to Cork, bringing together experts from around the world to share the latest developments in dairy drying and recombined milk. As both a scientific and industry-focused event, it will display how innovation in dairy drying and recombined milk products can drive efficiency, quality, and sustainability across the global dairy sector.”
For more information and to register visit https://www.dairypowdersymposium25.com/
The symposium is open to professionals, academics, and students and registration is required. The event is in the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork from 13–15 May 2025.