Hiperbaric opens HPP Incubator Shanghai to support Asian FnB industry

CHINA – Hiperbaric has launched a new pilot plant facility in Shanghai, aiming to support food and beverage companies in Asia with product development using high-pressure processing (HPP) technology.

The facility, named HPP Incubator Shanghai, is located in the city’s Free Trade Zone and houses a Hiperbaric 55 HPP system capable of processing up to 270 kilograms per hour.

HPP is a non-thermal preservation method that uses cold water and extreme pressure to eliminate pathogens and spoilage microorganisms while maintaining the nutritional value, taste, and texture of food products.

Jizhou Lei, Ph.D., has been appointed as HPP Food Applications Specialist to oversee the initiative.

Lei, who holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s in food science from Cornell University, will work with food manufacturers to develop HPP-based products.

The company says the pilot plant will provide product trials, packaging validation, regulatory guidance, and shelf-life studies to help businesses bring clean-label food and beverage products to market.

Andrés Hernando, CEO of Hiperbaric, says the facility is already working with regional producers to develop HPP products tailored to the Asian market.

Jorge Marraud, Director of Hiperbaric Asia, describes the pilot plant as a key resource for companies looking to introduce safer and more natural food products.

According to the company, the expansion is driven by the growing demand for minimally processed foods in China, where HPP technology is being used in categories such as ready-to-eat meals, meat and seafood, and pet food.

Hiperbaric has been present in China since 2009 and has installed more than a dozen HPP systems across the country.

In addition to the pilot plant, the company has opened a new sales office in Shanghai to strengthen its commercial operations in China.

The office, which officially launched on June 3, will focus on selling HPP equipment to food manufacturers in the region.

China accounts for 10% of Hiperbaric’s global revenue, while the broader Asian market contributes 20%.

Hiperbaric currently holds a 23.5% share of the Chinese HPP market and aims to increase this to 45% within five years.

Hernando says the company sees significant potential for HPP in China, given the country’s focus on food safety and demand for preservative-free products.

With its expanded presence, Hiperbaric is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the region’s growing market for high-pressure processing technology.

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