Flavorchem, a Downers Grove, Ill.-based flavor and ingredient supplier, said it is continuing its commitment to customer collaboration and innovation with a new state-of the-art pilot plant at the company’s Downers Grove campus. The fully automated, custom-designed pilot plant uses 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 [and] scalability, and will further advance our capabilities to be a valued extension of our customers’ R&D and commercialization processes.”

The new thermal processing unit allows Flavorchem to simulate high-temperature/short-time, ultra-high-temperature and aseptic conditions with both indirect heating and direct steam injection. It is fully expandable to allow for customer-specific equipment to be used and additional processing equipment to be added seamlessly, Flavorchem said. Filling capabilities include a clean fill hood for hot- and cold-fill of glass and plastic bottles, along with an aseptic bag filler.

“It’s been a pleasure to oversee the development and utilization of our brand-new pilot plant facility,” said Blake Wester, innovation & technology manager for Flavorchem. “Our specialized equipment allows us to explore cutting-edge flavor technology to test flavors, extracts and ingredients in different finished applications and provides our 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 that are 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 the pilot plant. The equipment can run a variety of products, including beverages, syrups, fillings, sauces, ice cream and yogurt.  

For more information, visit https://www.flavorchem.com/pilot-thermal-processing/.