USA – Flavor and ingredient supplier Flavorchem has unveiled a pilot plant at its Downers Grove campus in an effort to enhance its customer support capabilities.
The fully automated, custom-designed pilot plant utilizes the latest in thermal processing capabilities and features three separate dedicated spaces for extractions and experimental technologies.
“We are privileged to work with some of the most progressive and dynamic companies in our industry and are thrilled to be able to take them to the next level with our pilot plant,” said Ken Malinowski, president of Flavorchem.
“Our pilot plant was designed with flexibility, scalability, and will further advance our capabilities to be a valued extension of our customers’ R&D and commercialization processes.”
Flavorchem revealed that the new thermal processing unit allows it to simulate HTST, UHT and aseptic conditions with both indirect heating and direct steam injection.
It further noted that the plant is fully expandable to allow for customer specific equipment to be used and additional processing equipment to be added seamlessly.
Filling capabilities include a clean fill hood for hot – and cold-fill of glass and plastic bottles along with an aseptic bag filler.
Blake Wester, innovation and technology manager at Flavorchem, said, “Our specialized equipment allows us to explore cutting-edge flavor technology to test flavors, extracts, and ingredients in different finished applications.”
This according to Wester provides customers the opportunity to test their products on a pilot scale before they scale up into production.
The ability to run the customer’s actual product or base at a pilot-scale allows developers to formulate flavors optimized for production, Flavorchem said.
This approach accelerates brand owners’ speed to market while providing full confidence that the flavor will perform in the finished product the same way it did in thepilot plant.
The equipment can run a variety of products including ice cream, yogurt, beverages, syrups, fillings, and sauces.
The thermal processing plant enhances the profile of Downers Grove campus which is also home to the SRS Center for Taste Innovation which was launched back in 2020.
The center is designed to deliver a boutique customer experience that encourages innovation, collaboration and experimentation with trending foods, beverages, flavors and ingredients.
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