Sustainable dairy partnership wins top award for innovation

Yogurt that tastes better and is produced more sustainably is the result of a partnership between Britain’s largest organic dairy manufacturer, Yeo Valley, and the University of Reading. And now this collaboration has been named Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), celebrating work that is transforming food production and driving sustainable growth. The award was announced at the prestigious Innovate UK ceremony in Manchester, marking the 50th anniversary of the KTP programme.

This recognition highlights a two-year collaboration that transformed yogurt production through cutting-edge research and innovation, combining Reading’s academic excellence in food science and state-of-the-art processing facilities with Yeo Valley’s commitment to sustainable, high-quality dairy products.

The project combined process control, modelling and dairy science to advance understanding of milk protein denaturation and gel formation – critical steps in creating the perfect texture and taste. By applying rigorous research to real-world production, the team improved milk utilisation, reduced waste and improved product consistency. These changes delivered significant financial and environmental benefits, helping Yeo Valley strengthen its position as an independent business while supporting the UK’s food sector to grow sustainably.

Professor Colette Fagan, Professor of Food Processing at University of Reading and lead academic on the project, said: “This award celebrates what can happen when universities and businesses work together. By sharing expertise, we’ve not only improved product quality but also created real benefits for sustainability, industry and education.”

Beyond industry impact, the partnership enriched teaching and research at Reading. Seven student projects were supervised during the KTP, and findings have been shared at a leading dairy science conference.

This collaboration demonstrates how academic-industry partnerships drive innovation that supports health, sustainability and economic growth, benefitting consumers, businesses and students alike. 

The success of this partnership has sparked a long-term relationship between Reading and Yeo Valley, including a second KTP and further projects. It is a powerful example of how research excellence and business collaboration can deliver impact far beyond the laboratory.

The University's Knowledge Exchange and External Partnerships (KEEP) team played a key role in supporting and facilitating this collaboration. Whether you're a researcher considering a partnership with industry and exploring ways to commercialise your research or a business interested in collaborative projects, KEEP can help you identify opportunities and navigate the process of building connections.