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Microparticulation Systems

APV LeanCreme System

Microparticulation Systems for Whey Protein Functionalization in Dairy Processing

How Microparticulation Turns Whey Byproducts into High-Value Functional Ingredients

APV® microparticulation systems help dairy, nutrition and plant-based manufacturers convert whey and whey protein concentrates from a traditional byproduct into high-value functional ingredients. Through controlled thermal and mechanical treatment, microparticulation enhances texture, stability and performance while supporting whey valorization, clean-label formulation and circular economy goals.

Applications for Microparticulated Whey Proteins in Food and Nutrition Products

  • Functionalize whey proteins for application-specific performance
  • Improve texture, viscosity and stability in high-protein and reduced-fat products
  • Increase protein retention and yield in cheese and cultured dairy
  • Reduce stabilizers and additives for cleaner labels
  • Upgrade whey from a byproduct into higher-margin ingredients

APV systems integrate easily into existing plants and processing lines.

Microparticulation Technology Platforms for Protein Functionalization

Microparticulated whey protein enhances performance across:

  • Yogurt and spoonables – enhanced body and smoother texture
  • Ready-To-Drink (RTD) protein beverages – improved mouthfeel and suspension
  • Cheese spreads – better melt control and spreadability
  • Frozen desserts – clean creaminess with higher protein content
  • Medical and senior nutrition – neutral, stable, high-quality protein

Pilot Testing and Process Development at Innovation Centers

Our Innovation Centers provide hands-on support to help you advance microparticulation projects with confidence. Our process and application specialists work with you to test formulations, refine functional performance, optimize process parameters for your specific applications, develop clean-label, high-protein or reduced-fat recipes, and confirm scalability before moving to full commercial production.

Pilot-scale trials help ensure the selected microparticulation platform aligns with both product goals and operational requirements.

Lifecycle Services and Long-Term Support for Microparticulation Systems

Every APV microparticulation system is supported by a comprehensive lifecycle services portfolio designed to protect uptime and reduce total cost of ownership. Support includes: genuine OEM spare parts, preventive maintenance and performance optimization audits, remote diagnostics and digital service tools, operator and maintenance training.

Our global teams help maintain reliability, maximize uptime and protect long-term system value.

Transform Whey Proteins into High-Value Dairy Ingredients

Consumer demand for high-protein, reduced-fat and clean-label products continues to reshape the dairy industry. At the same time, producers are exploring new ways to improve protein functionality, develop differentiated products and maximize the value of whey streams.

APV® microparticulation systems help dairy producers transform whey streams into high-value functional ingredients that support product innovation, resource utilization and differentiated dairy products. By tailoring whey protein functionality, producers can enhance texture, mouthfeel and stability while developing high-protein, reduced-fat and clean-label products across a wide range of dairy applications.

Improve Protein Functionality. Drive Dairy Innovation.

APV® microparticulation systems use controlled heat and mechanical energy to transform whey proteins into functional particles with tailored performance characteristics. This enables greater control over texture, viscosity and stability while maintaining the nutritional benefits of whey proteins. The result is greater formulation flexibility, improved whey utilization and new opportunities for innovation across applications ranging from yogurt and nutritional beverages to cheese products and frozen desserts.

Built on decades of dairy processing expertise and a large global installed base, APV technologies help producers achieve consistent product quality, reliable process performance and scalable production.

Processing Advantages

Microparticulation helps dairy producers increase ingredient value while supporting product innovation and production efficiency.

Key benefits include:

  • Improved texture, mouthfeel and creaminess
  • Enhanced viscosity and product stability
  • Support for high-protein product development
  • Reduced-fat formulations without compromising sensory performance
  • Reduced reliance on stabilizers and additives
  • Increased value from whey streams
  • Greater formulation flexibility through tailored particle size control
  • Consistent performance across multiple dairy applications

Complete Processing Solutions

Successful microparticulation projects require more than equipment alone. Drawing on decades of dairy application experience, APV supports producers from concept development and pilot testing through scale-up and commercial production.

Innovation Centers help validate whey protein functionality, optimize texture development and evaluate processing conditions before investment. Lifecycle services support long-term performance through OEM spare parts, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, operator training and process optimization.

Why Producers Choose APV

For decades, dairy producers have relied on APV® technologies to help solve complex processing challenges and bring new products to market. Supported by a large global installed base, APV combines deep dairy processing expertise with extensive application knowledge across whey, dairy ingredient and protein processing applications.

Whether the goal is developing innovative high-protein products, improving whey utilization or optimizing existing production lines, producers trust APV for proven technologies, application expertise and long-term support.

Applications

Cheese

Advanced technologies for efficient, safe, and consistent cheese production.

 Dairy Ingredients

Dairy ingredient processing systems for efficient production, quality, and scalability.

 Fruit Juice

Advanced technologies for efficient, safe, and consistent fruit juice production.

 Ice Cream

Ice cream processing systems for smooth texture, consistency, and production efficiency.

 Yogurt

Yogurt processing systems for consistent texture, fermentation control, and product quality.

Two Proven Paths to Protein Functionalization

SPX FLOW offers two complementary microparticulation platforms:

Cavimaster Systems Cavimaster Systems

Improve process performance and operational reliability with Cavimaster Systems.

 LeanCream Systems LeanCream Systems

Transform whey proteins into value-added ingredients with controlled microparticulation designed to improve texture and functionality.

Knowledge Center

From Waste to Value: Rethinking Whey Streams for Functional Ingredient Development From Waste to Value: Rethinking Whey Streams for Functional Ingredient Development

Join APV's webinar on transforming whey streams into high-value functional ingredients using advanced dairy processing and microparticulation technologies.

 Turning Whey Into Value with Microparticulation Turning Whey Into Value with Microparticulation

Microparticulation transforms whey into functional proteins for texture and stability.

 5 Tips for Creating Healthier Ice Cream That Still Feels Like a Treat 5 Tips for Creating Healthier Ice Cream That Still Feels Like a Treat

Tips to create healthier ice cream with improved texture, taste, and reduced fat.
VIDEOS

Frequently Asked Questions

Microparticulation is a process that functionalizes whey proteins using controlled heat and mechanical energy to create protein particles with tailored functional properties, such as improved viscosity, stability and texture.

Unlike conventional processing, microparticulation focuses on protein structure and functionality, allowing manufacturers to tailor performance for specific applications rather than producing a generic ingredient.

By improving texture and stability through protein functionality, microparticulation can reduce or eliminate the need for added stabilizers, emulsifiers or fat replacers.

LeanCreme emphasizes precise, reproducible protein functionalization using dedicated scraped surface heat exchangers, while Cavimaster applies higher mechanical energy through cavitational heating for demanding applications and longer run times.

Yes. Microparticulation upgrades whey from a low-value byproduct into a high-value functional ingredient, supporting circular economy initiatives and improving overall plant economics.

Yes. SPX FLOW engineers microparticulation systems to integrate with existing processing lines and automation platforms with minimal disruption.

Yes. Customers can conduct pilot-scale microparticulation trials at SPX FLOW Innovation Centers before committing to a full-scale system.

SPX FLOW provides global lifecycle support, including parts, maintenance, diagnostics and training, to help maximize uptime and long-term value.

Microparticulation creates functional whey protein particles that improve texture, mouthfeel, viscosity and stability while maintaining high protein content.

Microparticulation converts whey protein concentrates into high-value functional ingredients, increasing the value of whey streams and creating new product opportunities.

Functionalized whey proteins improve texture, stability and sensory performance in high-protein formulations, helping producers create differentiated products.

Particle size affects texture, mouthfeel, viscosity and stability. Tailored particle formation allows functionality to be optimized for specific applications.

LeanCreme™ is designed for applications requiring precise texture control and uniform particle formation. Cavimaster™ delivers higher mechanical energy and is particularly suited for high-protein beverages and demanding ingredient applications.

Yes. Microparticulated whey proteins can naturally enhance texture and stability, reducing the need for additional stabilizers and formulation aids.

Yes. Pilot trials allow producers to evaluate functionality, optimize formulations and validate performance before scaling production.

Lifecycle services include OEM spare parts, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, operator training and process optimization to help maximize reliability and long-term performance.