In the cheese-making plant, cheese curds are separated from cheese whey. The whey is then clarified to remove cheese fines, separated to remove milkfat and pasteurised to destroy bacteria.

The whey is transferred to the powder plant where it is partially concentrated to 16% by removal of water and minerals. This process is called nanofiltration; minerals are separated according to particle size.

To meet ever-increasing demand for Bega cheeses, in 1998 Bega Cheese invested $25 million in the installation of a new Processing, Cutting and Packaging Plant.

The new plant was designed to service an increasing export market in addition to existing local markets. At full capacity, it is envisaged that two thirds of product will go off-shore. It has also been a major boost for the local economy.

For export markets the Bega brand can be cut and packed to specific market labelling requirements. Some customers may want their own proprietary branding or private label on cheddar and processed cheese products. Bega Cheese is also able to service major industrial and food service contracts including burger slices, portion control, government and other similar contracts.

The plant is constructed to the highest standard and is the first food plant in Australia to operate at pharmaceutical grade hygiene standard. The plant is equal to the best in the world in terms of capacity, hygiene and internal atmospheric control.

The processing plant includes two lines for individually wrapped processed cheese slices and one for non-individually wrapped sliced caterers' packs. The Quality Assurance System includes cheese grading, check weighing and metal detection in the packing lines.

The cutting and packaging equipment for natural cheeses includes a vacuum packaging line, a Cryovac shrink tunnel and a bag loader for 1kg, 2.5kg and 10kg blocks. There are two flow wrap gas flush lines for 250g, 500g, 750g and 1kg blocks, and a Multivac portion line which also handles Bega Stringers.

These lines can handle contract specifications and alternative weight packs. Bega Cheese now has the potential to manufacture and distribute 18,000 tonnes of natural cheese and 12,000 tonnes of processed cheese each year.