Baladna, the leading dairy and beverage producer in Qatar, announced a significant addition to its product portfolio by launching locally produced white cheese in aseptic carton packs earlier this year. This innovative offering is the first of its kind in Qatar and is made possible through a partnership with packaging solutions provider SIG.
The partnership between Baladna and SIG has been strengthened with the incorporation of SIG’s unique filling technology. Baladna has invested in an additional CFA 312 filling machine that allows them to fill products in SIG’s combiblocSlimline carton packs. Notably, this filling machine can accommodate four different volume sizes, granting Baladna the flexibility to package juice and dairy products in 1,000 ml carton packs, alongside the newly introduced white cheese in 500 ml carton packs.
What sets this white cheese innovation apart is its distinctive filling process. The cheese is initially filled into the carton packs as a liquid and undergoes a coagulation process within the pack after all the other ingredients have been added. Enzymes are mixed into the liquid cheese using a mobile mixing and dosing unit just before the filling process takes place. This coagulation process gives the mild and flavorful white cheese its characteristic firm consistency.
The mobile unit utilized in this process is compatible with SIG’s CFA 312 filling machine, and it is externally attached to the filling machine. Importantly, the existing installations can be retrofitted with this external equipment. This cutting-edge method marks a significant milestone for the Qatari market, where white cheese was previously imported from neighboring countries and mainly packaged in plastic.
Abdelghany Eladib, President, and General Manager Middle East and Africa at SIG expressed his pride in the partnership with Baladna, stating, “Locally produced white cheese in carton packs is a first for the Qatari market. We are very proud to continue our partnership with Baladna with this exciting innovation.”
The CEO of Baladna, Malcolm Jordan, also spoke about the value of innovation and collaboration with SIG, emphasizing their commitment to providing consumers with exceptional products. He stated, “We’re proud to offer locally produced white cheese in carton packs to the Qatari market, locally filled for the first time. Offering white cheese in aseptic carton packs means differentiation and is another example of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, as carton packs are a more sustainable choice.”
Baladna Farms, which covers a vast area of 2 million square meters and houses an impressive 24,000 cows, has expanded its product range to over 250 SKUs. This diverse range includes fresh milk, yogurt, laban, long-life milk, cheese, labneh, fresh cream, desserts, ghee, and juices.
With this white cheese innovation and its commitment to sustainability, Baladna continues to make strides in providing high-quality products to the Qatari market while embracing environmentally responsible practices.