On November 22, Verkhnedvinsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The share of innovative products at OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Cheese Plant" based on the results of January-October 2011 reached 24%, the enterprise director Petr Lavrinov informed a BELTA correspondent. With the launch of a new workshop in July this year, the dairy and cheese plant was the first in Belarus to master the production of dry demineralized cheese and casein whey with different degrees of demineralization – purification of whey from dissolved salts. The new product is import-substituting, and demand for it is high both in the domestic and foreign markets due to its wide range of applications. As the interlocutor explained, dry demineralized whey is used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Its use is also recommended for the production of baby food. Another new product of the enterprise is cheese products in which animal fats are replaced by vegetable fats. The development of cheese products was initiated due to the demand for them in the Russian market. For the first time this year, the enterprise began to produce cheese with the addition of walnuts. As Petr Lavrinov noted, the development of new types of products allows the enterprise to develop dynamically and strengthen its position in domestic and foreign markets. Based on the results of 10 months of operation, the enterprise produced products at current prices worth Br105 billion. The growth rate compared to last year was 163%. Products worth almost $17 million were exported, which is 37.7% more than in January-October 2010, with a positive foreign trade balance. The net profit of the enterprise amounted to almost Br17 billion with a sales profitability of 19.3%. It is expected that by the end of 2011, the share of innovative products will be 25%. Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Cheese Plant traces its history back to 1932. The enterprise was corporatized in 1999, and its founder is the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. The state owns 95.3% of the shares. The plant specializes in the production of hard rennet cheeses, butter, and dry whey. In the milk processing structure, over 60% is accounted for by cheese production. The product range includes over 20 items. The enterprise has registered the trademarks "Yan Sirodel" and "Ulyanka" with the National Center of Intellectual Property. OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Cheese Plant" was the first in Belarus to receive certificates of conformity to the quality management system LST EN ISO 9001:2008 and food safety LST EN ISO 22000:2005. -0-