Milk technology has a long tradition in Hohenheim. As early as 1822, cheese technology was taught alongside vinegar boiling and distilling. Milk processing was an intregral part of the "Lehrstuhl für Landwirtschaftliche Technologie" (Chair of Agricultural Technology), which was founded in 1839. The construction of a dairy in 1883 and the founding of the "Research Institute for Milk and Dairy Products" laid the foundation for milk research in Hohenheim. This research dairy was a model plant for milk processing. A new "Laboratory for Milk Research" was established later in 1904. Under Prof. Schwarz, the experimental and teaching dairy was technologically revamped in 1950.
In 1967, Prof. Christ (1969 - 1982) was appointed to the “Milk Technology” department in the newly established "Food Technology" program. He was followed by Prof. Kleeberger in 1982 and Prof. Brückner in 1991 as acting heads of the department. Due to increased technology demands, it was decided to renovate the dairy in 1999.
The Department of Dairy Science and Technology has been led by Prof. J. Hinrichs since 2001. Additionally, a new pilot plant with pilot equipment has been available for research and teaching since spring 2002. Most recently, in 2009, the Milk Transfer Center was founded. The plant technology continues to be expanded and modernized on a permanent basis.
The main goals are: 1. Imparting skills and abilities through exercises and practical courses using pilot-scale equipment in university teaching and in vocational training. 2. To assist in the development of new technical equipment and innovative processes within the framework of research projects and doctoral studies. 3. Transfer research findings and innovative processes for the processing of milk products and their alternatives via the Milk Transfer Center.
