FoodSouth adds mini-UHT to product development suite
FoodSouth’s new HIPEX mini-UHT pilot plant was commissioned in May 2016.
The New Zealand Food Innovation Network’s open access product development facilities across the four NZFIN hub sites help accelerate the process of bringing new products to market, while decreasing many of the risks and hurdles associated with commercialising a new food product.
FoodSouth, the South Island hub for NZFIN, opened in November 2015 with a range of pilot scale equipment designed to be of optimal benefit to the local F&B industry. However, a portion of the capital allocation was reserved, in order to add further equipment as directed by industry needs.
UHT (Ultra High Temperature) processing quickly became evident as a critical technology for FoodSouth to invest in. The level of interest in UHT is growing, as more firms explore utilising UHT to provide long shelf life, stable product as an alternative to drying. Innovative, value added products are appearing in UHT format globally.
Ultra High Temperature (UHT) is a relevant technology for South Island companies as it can significantly extend shelf life of a range of foods including dairy, fruit drinks, soups, sauces and yoghurts. Both Westland Milk Products and Goodman Fielder are making substantive investments in South Island UHT processing. Westland has built a $40M UHT[1] plant at Rolleston. Goodman Fielder are investing $27M[2] upgrading their Christchurch factory.
These two cornerstone clients were part of the early discussions on feasibility analysis. It was critical that the investment in UHT would be supported by key users, and that the configuration developed was of optimal benefit to the firms utilising the equipment. A critical question was “what did the plant need to do?”. The base configuration was developed with significant input from Westland and Goodman Fielder to ensure appropriate functionality, replicable commercialisation and ease of scale-up. The consultation process also confirmed that the capability of the proposed solution was broad enough to also interest a larger market segment.
As support for the business case, Hamish Conway, Head of R&D, Goodman Fielder New Zealand Limited, stated, “…the proposed system is complementary as it extends and expands the range of products we can develop,…[The ability] to have a full RMP and export certification is also a benefit so that we can send samples to our off shore sales teams”. The company’s need for this capability derives “from influences like seasonal variation of milk, client requests and new product
development.”
This NZFIN:Industry joint business case resulted in the purchase of a HIPEX Mini UHT/Pasteurising Pilot Plant. The UHT equipment at FoodSouth is capable of Hot fill, Cold fill, Pasteurising, UHT treatment up to 150°C with Aseptic and Non-Aseptic homogenisation. Throughput is 50 to 100 L/hr, with both indirect heating and direct steam injection. The sterilised product is then aseptically packed into sterile bags via an Engi-O aseptic bag-in-box filler.
Alternatively, for greater packaging flexibility, a Laminar Flow Cabinet enables filling into pre-sterilised packaging such as plastic or glass bottles. The resulting product has extended shelf life (ESL) but is not as sterile as UHT.
FoodSouth’s new mini-UHT pilot plant was commissioned in May 2016. Staff from Westland Milk Products and Goodman Fielder attended commissioning and training during that time, with an expert from HIPEX in attendance. Planning for the first projects utilising the new plant began immediately, with scheduled trials imminent.
Says John Morgan, Chief Executive of FoodSouth, “The proximity of the mini-UHT plant was a key rationale for the investment, giving South Island firms access to conveniently located capability. The FoodSouth facility provides synergy with the other UHT capability that exists within the Food Innovation Network, specifically at The FoodBowl in Auckland and The FoodPilot in Palmerston North. This provides a developmental pathway from proof of concept to first market shipment within the Food Innovation Network”. Each of these facilities offers UHT infrastructure and expertise at varying scales, with the larger scale FoodBowl UHT capable of processing 200L/hr.
FoodSouth’s investment in UHT equipment will help F&B companies to develop tailored products that tap into emerging market opportunities and grow their business. The close link between NZFIN and the NZ food and beverage industry has allowed an industry need to be met through collaboration and consultation, and consideration of benefits for the wider New Zealand F&B community.
For further information about the New Zealand Food Innovation Network’s equipment and capabilities, please contact one of our friendly Business Development Managers.
http://foodinnovationnetwork.co.nz/business-development-managers