Ecological and economic expediency of introducing modern membrane technologies of deep processing of milk whey

The article presents methodological and applied principles for justifying the feasibility of introducing modern membrane technologies of deep processing of milk whey into the practice of Ukrainian milk processing enterprises. It has been identified that the most common way of processing milk whey both in Ukraine and in global practice is its drying. As an alternative to the traditional technology of drying milk whey, it is proposed to introduce into the practice of Ukrainian milk processing enterprises an innovative technology of its deep processing, which includes the fractionation of whey proteins and the release of lactose derivatives, which is important for the use of processing products as innovative functional food products. The expediency of introducing modern membrane technologies of whey processing at domestic milk processing enterprises is substantiated, which allows rational use of raw milk resources, reducing the negative impact on the environment, and increasing the profitability of production. The results of calculations of the total ecological and economic effect are presented, which prove that the effect of the introduction of modern membrane technologies of deep processing of milk raw materials significantly exceeds the effect of using the traditional technology of drying milk whey, which is widely used in domestic milk processing enterprises. It was found that the ecological effect is manifested in the reduction of volumes of liquid industrial waste and fines for violations of environmental legislation and can be considered as an alternative to the construction of own treatment facilities. The economic effect is achieved by expanding the product range of exports and the offer on the world markets of high-margin dairy products for narrow target groups of consumers.


Introduction
In world and domestic practice, whey is recognized as a valuable raw material that can be widely used in various industries.In European countries, the treatment and processing of liquid industrial waste is a standard practice.In many countries, it is forbidden to pour the by-product into water.At the same time, milk whey is one of the most harmful products that appears in the wastewater of milk processing enterprises, from the point of view of impact on the environment, because of this they are under the close attention of ecologists.
Greening of dairy production is an integral part of the concept of sustainable development of enterprises, which has been developed in recent years.It involves ecologically oriented technical and technological development of the dairy industry, where, as before, there is no clear and complete awareness of the need for environmentalization of production [14].Unfortunately, economic considerations often push social and environmental concerns to the background.At the same time, it is not taken into account that the overall ecological and economic effect of whey processing may turn out to be incomparably higher than the short-term benefits.

Literature review
The problem of industrial processing of milk whey is typical for countries with traditionally high consumption of cheese.Approximately 85% of the total milk used for manufacturing cheese is discarded as whey.Most milk plants do not have proper treatment systems for the disposal of whey and the dumping of whey constitutes a significant loss of potential food and energy, as whey retains about 55 % of total milk nutrients.Amongst the most abundant of these nutrients are lactose, soluble proteins, lipids and mineral salts.To solve the problem of disposal of whey, which is formed as a by-product during the production of cheese, the European Whey Processors Association adopted a special program [1].
The world exporters of dry whey are the EU countries, the USA, Canada, Argentina, and Australia [2].Ukraine is also among the TOP-10 world exporters of dry whey and exports about 46% of its production.The increase in export supplies of domestic dry whey is due to the offer on foreign markets at a more attractive price compared to the prices of EU countries and stable export demand from certain Asian countries, including China.The main buyers of Ukrainian dry whey are China (51.5% of exports), the Philippines (10.1%),Malaysia (6.7%) [3].
However, only 48.3% of liquid whey is traditionally processed to obtain dry whey, while the remainder is sold to agricultural enterprises as livestock feed.More than 20% of it is disposed of into the sewer.This indicates that the market for food products and ingredients loses approximately 5.5-8.7 million tons of whey proteins and 45.8-49.1 million tons of lactose [4].Since the potential of milk whey is significant, its rational use should include its deep processing for the production of new types of food products and ingredients that have functional and technological properties necessary for the production of other food products.
Membrane technologies, integrated into modern milk processing plants, offer the advantage of enhanced productivity through energy savings.They also enable the more efficient utilization of milk raw materials, fostering the expansion of industrial production for a wide array of functional, therapeutic, preventive, and specialty food products.This, in turn, positions dairy market operators to cultivate lasting commitment and loyalty from consumers towards domestic dairy brands.However, the processing of milk whey, despite making significant progress and witnessing numerous advancements in this domain, faces several constraints.These include factors like the high cost of equipment and the absence of adequate state environmental regulations.As a result, milk processing enterprises are often not compelled to reduce the volume of waste milk whey discharged into wastewater [4].

Material and Methods
Environmental protection stands as a paramount responsibility for engineering and technical professionals in the course of their production endeavors.Within the sphere of milk processing enterprises, environmental safeguarding efforts can be channeled along two distinct pathways: the purification of detrimental emissions and the eradication of pollution sources.It's evident that the latter avenue holds greater promise.Its realization necessitates the adoption of zero-waste production technologies, facilitating the holistic utilization of raw materials while minimizing the release of harmful substances [5].When it comes to food industry enterprises, waste often transforms into valuable raw materials for other sectors.In the context of the dairy industry, whey serves as one such secondary raw material.Numerous enterprises have implemented technologies for its processing.In addition to whey, the wastewater from dairy establishments includes liquid industrial waste generated during the cleaning of technical equipment, along with household waste.The liquid waste from milk processing enterprises is characterized as a suspension, with its dispersed phase comprising what is commonly referred to as 'cheese dust' (particles originating from cheese curd fragmentation during mechanical processing), fat globules, and remnants of the product that find their way into the waste stream during equipment cleaning.The content of oxidizable organic substances, primarily dominated by protein, plays a pivotal role in conferring potent polluting characteristics to dairy waste.The majority of these organic compounds find their way into the waste through whey.Notably, it has been determined that the oxidation of organic compounds present in 25 tons of milk whey demands an equivalent amount of oxygen required for the oxidation of household waste within a city accommodating a population of 40,000 people [6].
In dairy industry enterprises, approximately 90% of the processed milk volume transforms into whey during the production of protein and fat products, including sour milk cheese, hard cheese, and casein.Despite its potential as a valuable raw material, whey's full utilization remains unrealized, with a significant portion being discarded as waste.This disregard for its potential fails to meet current environmental standards and results in additional expenses for implementing environmental protection measures.Considering the fact that whey comprises a range of beneficial substances for the human body, it becomes prudent to facilitate its prudent utilization.Notably, whey proteins and lactose are of particular significance, constituting up to 60% of the dry matter of whey.Whey is a liquid by-product arising during the cheese and casein production processes, distinguished by its elevated content of protein particles, which is yet to be fully harnessed.It accounts for approximately 80-90% of the overall processed milk volume and encompasses nearly 60% of the nutrients present in raw milk: dissolved proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals.For instance, the 120 million tons of whey derived from milk processing entails around 0.7 million tons of high-value protein, equating to the protein content found in roughly 2 million tons of soybeans.Sweet whey, characterized by its higher nutritional content, exhibits a pH range of 5.9 -6.6.Conversely, sour whey is obtained during the production of casein and is saturated with inorganic acids, resulting in a pH range of 4.3 -4.6.Notably, a notable shift has recently transpired towards the creation of innovative products.This transformation has elevated the status of whey from being an undesired byproduct of production to an essential raw material for crafting high-quality products.
The issue of environmental pollution arising from the discharge of liquid waste from milk processing enterprises is exacerbated by the inadequate processing of milk whey.A significant proportion of whey ends up in wastewater, thereby overburdening treatment facilities and deteriorating environmental conditions.Given that the substantial pollution attributed to whey is primarily due to its organic substance content, it is plausible that environmental pollution could be mitigated by employing a process to cleanse whey from dispersed protein particles.Moreover, the separation of protein from whey prior to its entry into wastewater systems would enhance the conditions for subsequent purification.The conventional approach to treating liquid waste is aerobic technology, effective only under conditions of low organic substance concentration.It's noteworthy that dairy product producers recognize the significance of preemptively purifying whey from protein before its disposal.However, this shift towards whey purification is motivated not solely by ecological necessity but also economic pragmatism.The purification process facilitates the reintegration of a portion of protein into the production process, ultimately reducing the cost of raw materials per unit of finished products.Despite the keen interest of numerous market operators, the implementation of whey purification encounters obstacles, mainly the lack of suitable equipment that, apart from its effectiveness, needs to be accessible for enterprises of varying capacities.Consequently, many enterprises resort to less advanced methods for whey purification.
In response to industry demands, scientists and engineers are actively developing modern equipment for the purification of whey.Despite ongoing advancements, a universally accepted approach to solving this issue remains elusive.Existing equipment often fails to account for all process intricacies, rendering it ineffective or suitable only under specific conditions.
The separation of protein from whey promises substantial economic benefits.For instance, envisage the processing of 100 tons of milk into sour milk cheese: the proposed measures could facilitate the reintegration of approximately 240 kg of valuable milk protein back into the production process.Consequently, the pre-discharge purification of whey before its release into wastewater would considerably diminish the pollutant load associated with waste from milk processing enterprises.This purification practice, by returning a portion of the protein to the production process, would concurrently trim the raw material expenses for manufacturing a single unit of the final product [6].
Simultaneously, the generation of liquid industrial waste in milk processing enterprises arises from equipment washing and the cleaning of production areas.These effluents encompass production residues, dairy product losses, remnants of milk, cleaning agents employed during equipment washing, and an assortment of impurities dislodged from vehicle surfaces, floors, and more.The volume and composition of these wastewater streams hinge on factors such as production specialization and utilized technologies, spanning from 1.0 to 7.0 liters per liter of processed milk.A uniform feature across all dairy factory effluents includes a relatively elevated temperature ranging from 16-33°C, coupled with the potential for abrupt fluctuations in acidity (pH=6.2-10.5),and an elevated organic impurity content.The concentration of suspended solids exhibits considerable variation, primarily influenced by product range, production techniques, and equipment choices.For instance, in active milk processing enterprises, survey results indicate that the maximum concentration of suspended particles in the wastewater of establishments engaged in hard cheese and sour milk cheese production can reach levels of 250-300 mg/dm³.
Despite the persistent global protein deficiency in numerous regions, a substantial portion of produced whey remains underutilized.Even as recently as 1989-1990, approximately 50% of milk whey was wasted-illustrating that just three decades ago, dairies routinely discarded whey into sewers or, at best, repurposed it as livestock feed.The extent of this phenomenon becomes clear when considering that a mere 10 tons of cheese and 100 tons of whey are derived from 110 tons of milk.Notably, this byproduct is abundant in vitamins, containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals.Given this context, the issue of whey processing remains exceptionally pertinent in the present day.
The 2000s marked the turning point in whey processing, aligning with the extensive modernization of milk processing enterprises.Initially, considerations revolved around the creation of centralized whey processing centers (plants).Subsequently, emerging technologies empowered individual enterprises to independently augment their earnings.In the contemporary landscape, modern milk processing facilities are steadfastly embracing ecological practices, progressively diminishing detrimental discharges year by year.As a result, top-tier global milk processing enterprises are achieving whey processing rates between 95% to 100%.For instance, more than 95% of received whey is processed in the Netherlands, with over 75% undergoing processing in the USA.Furthermore, the global practice is witnessing the active implementation of forward-thinking ecologically-oriented technologies, poised to bring substantial ecological transformations to the industry, enhance environmental preservation, and optimize the utilization of invaluable secondary resources, particularly milk whey [13].
Presently, Ukraine reveals a limited number of milk processing enterprises that align with environmental standards and ensure that their operations have a minimal ecological impact, despite the national legislative mandate for all food-related establishments to possess their own treatment facilities.Regrettably, as per the State Agency of Water Resources, over five hundred enterprises in Ukraine continue to release industrial waste into natural bodies of water.Official statistics indicate a staggering aggregate of nearly a billion cubic meters (952 million cubic meters) of contaminated wastewater discharge [7].Under the purview of legislation, the acceptance of wastewater from dairy enterprisesknown for their high environmental aggressiveness and substantial pollution-is deemed unacceptable and runs counter to the principle of ensuring the judicious utilization and safeguarding of water, as well as the replenishment of water resources.Conversely, the State Environmental Inspection has documented pronounced contamination of water bodies, substantiated through laboratory examinations of surface waters in proximity to local cheese factories.Additionally, alongside direct discharges into rivers and reservoirs, certain industrial establishments transport liquid waste from milk processing via tanker trucks, depositing it on the ground in close proximity to inhabited areas.
Lustdorf LLC serves as an exemplary model of environmental responsibility within Ukraine.A prominent figure in the milk processing sector, Lustdorf LLC notably became the country's pioneer among similar enterprises by establishing its own water treatment facilities, located just one and a half kilometers from its dairy in Ilintsi (Vinnytsia region).Boasting a remarkable capacity of 2,000 tons of water per day, these facilities rely on cutting-edge equipment from the renowned German firm, Hager.Experts note that this equipment remains unparalleled within Ukraine.The comprehensive investment in Lustdorf LLC's treatment facilities approximates 6.5 million U.S. dollars.This pivotal decision was driven by the vigorous expansion of the enterprise and the concurrent growth of its production capabilities.In the past, akin to many other milk processing enterprises across Ukraine, the plant's wastewater entered the centralized sewage system, with its treatment overseen by the local water supply company.This prior approach inherently limited both the volume and depth of water purification.
These treatment facilities encompass an intricate network of voluminous tanks in varying sizes, orchestrating a multi-stage purification process for the water.Notably, this purification process is environmentally friendly and devoid of waste, exemplifying the circular nature of the enterprise's approach.Within this intricate treatment complex, wastewater journeys through transformative stages, yielding not just clean water but also electricity, heat sourced from biogas, and mineral fertilizers.Water ingress into the treatment facilities is routed through a dedicated pipeline, bolstered by a contingency system to circumvent pipeline failure.The initial stage within this process is a 500-ton concentrator tank, designed to homogenize impurities over a single day.Following this, the treated liquid progresses to a floater that sequesters residual milk fat.Subsequently, the water flows into a colossal 4,000 cubic meter biological reactor.Here, the water enters a low-oxygen denitrification chamber, where phosphorus is liberated from the sewage.Thereafter, the effluent enters a bioreactor, populated by oxygenated bacteria.These microbes efficiently metabolize the pollutants within the wastewater, rendering it fit for river discharge.The water remains within the biological reactor for 4-5 days, subsequently transitioning into a clarifying sump.This transition results in the settlement of sludge, allowing clear water to meander into the nearby Sob River, situated just two kilometers away from the treatment facility.This meticulous purification process ensures that the dairy's effluents align with river discharge norms.Concurrently, the sludge settling within the tank is channeled into a methane reservoir, where the decomposition process begets biogas, predominantly composed of around 70% methane.This biogas, alongside organic-mineral fertilizers, emerges from the sludge decomposition.Roughly 1,200 to 1,300 cubic meters of biogas are produced, ultimately pumped into a gas holder.This biogas is subsequently harnessed by a cogeneration unit, generating 125 kW of electricity and heat.This self-sufficiency aids in fulfilling a portion of the treatment plant's electricity and heat requisites, complemented by additional power sourced from the grid.Subsequent to biogas extraction, the residual sludge traverses a pressing phase, extracting surplus moisture.Rich in mineral substances, these remnants emerge as effective agricultural fertilizers.This exemplar from Lustdorf LLC aptly illustrates an industrious enterprise's conscientious commitment to environmental stewardship and adherence to European benchmarks.An alternative strategy employed worldwide, instead of constructing individual treatment facilities, involves the adoption of advanced milk whey processing technologies.These technologies not only yield commercial benefits but also contribute to a notable reduction in the concentration of pollutants within wastewater.Within the global dairy market, the primary outcome of whey processing is dry whey.Among developed dairy nations, the consensus is that establishing whey drying operations, despite the potentially high energy costs, is considerably more financially advantageous than incurring environmental penalties for the unprocessed discharge of whey into water bodies.Significantly, dry whey possesses a remarkable shelf life.Under appropriate temperature conditions (not exceeding 20°C) and relative air humidity levels not exceeding 80%, its quality remains intact for up to 12 months.This extended durability facilitates global transportation to various destinations.The product's allure is widespread, encompassing a plethora of industries.It finds applications in confectionery, bakery production, the creation of whole milk products, ice cream manufacturing, processed cheeses, condensed milk, glazed curds, spreads, mayonnaise, and even meat products.Additionally, its integration into the production of sports nutrition items, cosmetic formulations, and beverages further underscores its versatility and significance on the global stage.
Furthermore, the avenue of extensively processing milk whey presents a unique opportunity to maximize the utilization of its dry components.This approach is widely regarded as one of the most promising, as it enables the conversion of whey into transportable concentrates boasting an extended shelf life.These concentrates exhibit exceptional nutritional and biological value, aligning seamlessly with contemporary global standards and trends.The incorporation of advanced whey processing technologies not only yields economic gains but also addresses the pressing environmental concern of industrial waste.A prime example of this is observed in the practices of Arla Foods, a prominent European dairy product manufacturer.By the year 2020, the company had identified deep whey processing as one of its pivotal developmental focuses.Leveraging the outcomes of whey processing, the conglomerate pioneers innovative products, including protein water tailored for athletes, formulated from protein hydrolysates.
In contemporary Ukraine, dry whey constitutes a prominent export commodity, with a substantial 46% of its production being dispatched to diverse countries across the globe.The integration of deep milk whey processing technology within Ukrainian milk processing establishments holds the potential to yield substantial ecological and economic benefits.
Analyzing the ecological and economic impact of discontinuing the discharge of 1 ton of milk whey into wastewater and instead subjecting it to industrial processing for subsequent use, we first need to examine the ecological aspect.Draining 1 ton of milk whey into the sewer contributes to water pollution at a comparable level to that caused by 100 m3 of household sewage [8,54].The cumulative ecological and economic outcomes resulting from the implementation of deep milk whey processing technology are illustrated in Figure 1.
The ecological aspect of this issue can be assessed by calculating the compensation for the environmental harm caused by discharging liquid industrial waste into water sources.According to the document "Rules for the acceptance of wastewater into centralized drainage systems and the Procedure for determining the amount of the fee charged for excess wastewater discharges into centralized drainage systems," approved by the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine (No. 316 dated 01.12.2017) [9], under the condition of complete adherence to the quality and discharge regulations of liquid industrial waste in line with the approved rules, local acceptance norms, and the terms of the contractual agreement, consumers are billed for water drainage services based on the rate established according to the prevailing legislation for their respective consumer category.Additional quantities of consumer wastewater (not accounted for by the contract) that are released into centralized sewage systems or directly to the producers' wastewater treatment facilities are charged to consumers at a rate of five times the established tariff for sewage services.

Fig.1. Cumulative ecological and economic effect of the introduction of the technology of deep processing of milk whey
Source: [6] The effect of the introduction of deep whey processing technology at milk processing enterprises 1. Ecological effect of the technology of deep processing of milk whey

Reduction of fines for violations of environmental legislation
Change in depth of processing of available secondary raw materials (milk whey) allows you to expand the range of functional dairy products Additional income from the sale of KSB on the market or from its use as a raw material for the production of other food products 2. Economic effect of the technology of deep processing of milk whey High quality at low costs -minimal biochemical changes, which determines the high quality of the obtained products at relatively low costs Reduction of the maximum permissible concentration level in industrial effluents Consumers who discharge wastewater in the absence of a valid contract for centralized water drainage shall pay the producer for the entire volume of wastewater discharged during the absence of such a contract in the amount of five times the established tariff for the centralized water drainage service (Kk = 5).In case of the detection of a sudden discharge of polluting substances, the multiplicity factor Kk = 20 is applied In Ukraine, at the beginning of 2022, drainage tariffs ranging from 4,212 UAH /m 3 to 14,472 UAH /m 3 are employed.For the purpose of assessment, we have selected an average tariff of 9,336 UAH/m 3 .Additionally, we have employed a simplified approximation, assuming that the weight of 1 m 3 of serum is 1000 kg.If we evaluate the discharge of liquid industrial waste as exceeding the allowable pollution, then the multiplier coefficient Kk = 5 should be applied, and thus the penalty fee for discharging 1 ton of serum will be: 1 m 3 * 9,336 UAH /m 3 * 5 = 46,68 UAH If we consider the discharge of liquid industrial waste as a sudden release of pollutants, then the normalization coefficient K k = 20 should be applied, resulting in a penalty fee of: 1 m 3 * 9,336 UAH /m 3 * 20 = 186,72 UAH But, as noted earlier, in reality, 1 ton of milk whey discharged into the sewer pollutes water bodies in a similar manner to 100 m 3 of household sewage.Therefore, when evaluating compensation for damages resulting from such discharge, it is appropriate to use the normalization coefficient Kk = 100.In this case, the penalty fee for the discharge of 1 ton of serum would be: 1 m 3 * 9,336 UAH /m 3 * 100 = 933,60 UAH Let's proceed to evaluating the economic aspect of introducing milk whey processing technologies.An alternative to disposal is the processing of whey through drying technology.In the production of dry whey, 6.3 kg of dry whey is obtained from 100 kg of liquid whey.Therefore, 63 kg of dry whey will be produced from 1 ton of liquid whey.The average price of dry whey on the Ukrainian market is 30 UAH/kg.Consequently, income will be generated from the sale of these products: 63 kg * 30 UAH /kg = 1890 UAH If we assume a production profitability of 20%, then the profit from the sale of dry whey will be: 1890 * 0.20 = 378 UAH The combined ecological and economic effect of processing 1 ton of whey through drying includes the savings in penalty payments and the profit from the sale, which can be calculated as follows: 933,60 UAH + 378,00 UAH = 1 311,60 UAH Certainly, the deep processing of whey offers significant advantages in terms of resource utilization and waste reduction.To evaluate the economic impact of introducing deep whey processing technology, please provide me with the specific details of the technological scheme from Figure 2 or any relevant information from reference [10].This will help me accurately assess the economic benefits and provide you with a comprehensive analysis.
We will leave the technological parameters presented in the diagram unchanged, and adapt the prices to the level of prices that function in the modern market of Ukraine.
As can be seen from the diagram, 3.6 kg of fats can be obtained from 1 ton of whey, which can be sold at a price of UAH 80/kg.
The economic effect is:  [10] Thus, the total economic effect of deep processing of 1 ton of serum is: 288 + 2 225 + 1 800 = 4 313 (UAH).If we take the profitability of production at the level of 20%, then the profit from deep processing of 1 ton of whey will be 4,313*0.20=862.60 UAH.Taking into account the additional environmental effect, which is similar to the case of drying technology and amounts to UAH 933.60, the total ecological and economic effect is equal to: 862,60 + 933,60 = 1796,20 (UAH).Comparing with the ecological and economic effect of whey drying (1,311.60UAH), it can be noted that the process of deep processing gives a total ecological and economic effect that is higher by 37%.
To illustrate the obtained results, we will consider the Belotserk dairy plant as an example [11].The company processes an average of 85,000 tons of milk per year.At the same time, about 72,000 tons of serum are obtained.The total ecological and economic effect of the application of whey drying for this enterprise will amount to almost UAH 95 million: 1 311,60 * 72 000 = 94 435 200 (UAH).The total ecological and economic effect of the application of deep whey processing technology will amount to more than UAH 160 million.(Table 1).
1796,20 * 72 000 = 129 326 400 (UAH).The use of modern whey processing technologies requires significant financial investments.In [12], there is data that the installed equipment for the production of dry demineralized whey at the Verkhnyodvinsk cheese factory is valued at 650,000 euros.The volume of milk processing at this enterprise is approximately the same as at the Bila Tserkva enterprise.As indicated in the source, the equipment paid for itself in six months.We will evaluate the payback period of such equipment for the enterprise in Bila Tserkva.
As it was shown above, the economic effect of drying 1 ton of serum is UAH 378.The enterprise processes an average of 85,000 tons of milk per year, while obtaining approximately 72,000 tons of whey.The annual economic effect of drying 72 thousand tons of whey will be: The payback period will be: 650 : 903,3 = 0,71 (year).The annual economic effect of the introduction of the technology of deep processing of whey, calculated on 72,000 tons of whey, will be: 865,6 UAH/t * 72 000 t = 62107200 UAH | €2075,1 thousand In the case of purchasing a line from the German company GEA at a cost of €4,774.5 thousand, the payback period for the equipment will be: 4774,5: 2075,1 = 2,3 (year).As we can see, the estimates obtained by us are very close to the data given in [12].According to the same source, the total amount of investment in a new technological line for whey processing, which includes purification, separation, thickening, nanofiltration, demineralization, further concentration, crystallization and drying, paid off in a period of three years (Table 1).However, it should be noted that such an effective payback is possible only if there is a steady demand for the company's products.Therefore, the following conclusions can be drawn from the above.There are several options for solving the problem of reducing pollution in the wastewater of dairy enterprises.It is possible to prevent milk processing enterprises from exceeding the norms of discharge of liquid industrial waste by introducing one of the following measures: 1) construction or modernization of local sewage treatment facilities and (or) wastewater treatment of the enterprise using local sewage treatment facilities owned by third parties; 2) creation of circulating water supply systems; 3) introduction of production technologies that ensure a reduction in the concentration of pollutants in wastewater.

Conclusions
In our opinion, the installation of lines for the deep processing of milk whey at domestic milk processing enterprises that directly produce hard cheese, sour milk cheese, casein is the most optimal option.This approach will significantly improve the environmental indicators at the location of the enterprise and accordingly reduce disposal costs.The technology of deep processing of whey with the subsequent obtaining of valuable food ingredients holds the greatest interest for the milk processing industry.This approach allows for the simultaneous achievement of both commercial and ecological effects.
Thus, it can be stated that the complex processing of milk whey by domestic milk processing enterprises is an extremely promising direction for the development of the dairy industry in Ukraine.This is attributed to the high global demand for dry concentrates made from whey, the potential for significant commercial benefits from the production of innovative food ingredients, and the substantial savings achieved by reducing the amount of compensation payments in case of environmental pollution, particularly in wastewater.In conclusion, the adoption of advanced technologies for milk whey processing presents a valuable opportunity for Ukrainian milk processing enterprises to enhance their economic viability, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable food products.1269 (2023) 012012 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1269/1/01201210 Table 1 Calculation of the total ecological and economic effect at different depth of processing of 1 ton of milk whey 1269 (2023) 012012 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1269/1/012012 2 the dairy market with a production capacity of 72 thousand tons of whey processing per yearІ.Ecological and economic effect of the production of dry milk whey according to traditional technology:Economic effect of dry whey production (63 kg/ton)ІІ.Ecological and economic effect of the production of high-margin products using the membrane technology of deep processing of milk whey:Production of proteins (8.9 kg/ton) --Total per membrane Revenue from sales: 8,9 kg * 250 UAH/kg = 2225 UAH Profit from sale: 2225 hryvnias * 0,2 = UAH 445 technology UAH 1,796.2* 72,000 tons = UAH 129