Fonterra managing director global operations Robert Spurway said the expansion would play an important role in delivering the co-operative’s growth strategy.
“Should it go ahead, the investment at Studholme will bring much needed processing capacity to the South Island as well as optionality to make the products that bring the greatest returns to our shareholders.”
Mitigating environmental impacts was a high priority for the build. Plans included a range of wastewater treatment options with particular care given to the nearby Wainono lagoon.
Fonterra also wanted to minimise the coal use, and was investigating options for energy-efficient boilers capable of burning biomass.
If approved, construction would begin on the first drier in the next five years, followed by the potential installation of a second drier in the next 10 years.
Spurway said the upgrades would bring an injection into the local economy, especially for those living in and around Studholme and Waimate.
“As with any build of this scale, local employment would be one of the major winners. With each new drier our site and tanker staff would grow by about 125 new positions, with builders and contractors to complete the build factored in on top of that,” he said.
Spurway said Fonterra would ensure the proposals were shared with the wider community before they were finalised.
