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NOVA Dairy expands value-added portfolio as consumer preferences evolve
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Friday, 14 August, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Anurag More, Mumbai
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NOVA Dairy is expanding its portfolio of value-added dairy products as consumers increasingly seek convenient, nutritious and versatile formats without compromising on taste and quality. According to Ravin Saluja, Director, Sterling Agro Industries Ltd. (NOVA Dairy), the company’s focus remains on products that address everyday consumption needs while maintaining consistency in taste, nutrition and functionality.
The company’s portfolio spans Shudh Ghee and Cow Ghee, soft paneer, flavoured milk in rose, kesar and elaichi variants, dairy creamers and different grades of skimmed milk powder for household and commercial applications, including mithai and bakery production.
“Real growth sits in products that solve every day needs while delivering consistent taste and nutrition,” Saluja said, adding that NOVA Dairy is focused on purity and functionality rather than following every emerging market trend. The company is also developing products around convenience, including ready-to-drink formats, easily dissolvable powders and paneer designed to retain its texture during cooking.
Food safety and traceability remain key priorities across NOVA Dairy’s operations. Milk is tested at multiple stages, beginning at village collection centres, where fat and SNF are assessed, followed by testing at chilling centres and again at the processing plant.
According to Saluja, every batch undergoes more than 20 checks covering bacteriological parameters, chemical composition and common adulterants. The company’s plants operate under HACCP and FSSC 22000 systems, along with ISO 9001 practices and regular Export Inspection Agency audits.
Traceability systems link tanker loads back to their source villages, enabling the company to identify and address deviations quickly. Employee training and hygiene protocols are also positioned as key components of maintaining consistency from procurement to the finished product.
As competition intensifies in India’s organised dairy sector, NOVA Dairy is seeking to differentiate itself through product quality, process controls and practical innovation. Saluja said the company’s processing infrastructure, including European-origin processing lines, supports consistent standards across consumer, institutional and international customers.
Product development is focused on improvements such as enhanced solubility in creamers, improved paneer texture and cleaner labelling. Operational efficiencies across the processing cycle are also helping the company maintain competitive pricing.
NOVA Dairy’s supply chain strategy also places farmers at the centre of its operations. Through its Sustainable Dairy Programme, the company has introduced initiatives covering feed formulation, open housing, biodigesters and AI-supported breeding.
Pilot clusters have recorded an 8–10% increase in yield per animal and a 15–18% reduction in emissions per litre, according to Saluja. The company also provides veterinary assistance, guidance on hygienic milking practices and quality-linked payments. The objective, he said, is to improve animal health and milk quality while supporting stable farmer incomes and creating a more reliable supply chain.
With consumers increasingly looking for higher nutritional value, clean-label products and convenience, NOVA Dairy is adapting its formulations and formats accordingly. The company says its products are developed without unnecessary additives or preservatives.
Skimmed milk powder offers higher protein with lower fat content, while dairy creamers are designed for convenient use in tea and coffee. Flavoured milks are packed in sterile formats without added colouring or flavouring agents, according to the company.
Automation and digitalisation are also playing a growing role in NOVA Dairy’s manufacturing operations. Its plants use processing lines from Alfa Laval and Tetra Pak, with automated filling, sealing and packing systems. Digital monitoring tracks inputs and outputs, allowing operational deviations to be identified quickly.
At chilling centres, solar thermal systems have replaced diesel for hot-water generation, helping reduce both operating costs and emissions. On the farm side, the company is introducing IoT-based tools for feed monitoring and breeding management.
Saluja said the company’s objective is to use technology to improve process control and reduce wastage, which is currently targeted at below 1%, while maintaining quality at scale.
Exports are another important growth avenue for NOVA Dairy, with the company currently serving more than 30 countries across the Gulf region, Southeast Asia, Japan, Africa and other markets.
Ghee, skimmed and whole milk powders and butter oil are among the key products exported by the company. Saluja said export markets are served only when products meet NOVA Dairy’s residue and documentation requirements.
The company is targeting markets where its strengths in clean, consistent and traceable dairy ingredients can provide a competitive advantage, particularly across institutional and international customers.
NOVA Dairy has also increased its focus on renewable energy and resource efficiency. Its renewable energy portfolio includes around 88 MWh of wind energy and 35 MWh of solar energy, which the company says covers a significant portion of its energy requirements and has contributed to it becoming carbon negative on a life-cycle basis.
Solar water heating at chilling centres has helped reduce diesel consumption, while water recycling is being used to control water consumption. At the farm level, biodigesters capture methane from manure and convert it into cooking fuel, while the resulting slurry is reused as organic fertiliser. The company is also evaluating ways to reduce packaging usage while retaining functional and tamper-proof formats.
Looking ahead, Saluja expects value-added dairy products to account for a larger share of industry growth, particularly amid relatively low margins in liquid milk. He believes companies that can maintain consistent supply while building climate-resilient supply chains will be better positioned for long-term growth.
Traceability, quality verification and technology are also expected to become increasingly important across both domestic and export markets. For NOVA Dairy, the strategy will centre on strengthening farmer relationships, expanding in demand-driven markets and maintaining process discipline across institutional and export businesses.
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