A sophisticated testing ground for modern food manufacturers 

Evaluate new ingredients, formulations and processes on a small scale, under the highest standards at the NC Food Innovation Lab. Designed specifically for the plant-based food manufacturer, our pilot plant operates under rigorous hygienic conditions. We’re the only facility in the region certified in the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), so you can be sure your product meets the highest requirements for quality, purity and strength.

Processing capabilities 

Take advantage of both traditional and innovative food processing techniques on our state-of-the-art equipment. We can run the process and ship your product to you, or you can work directly with our processing team on site.

Wet processes

From blanching to juicing to slicing, our facility has all the essential technology for processing fruits, vegetables and plants.

Equipment list:

• Dixie M-6 Blancher
• Dixie Lye Peeler Vat
• Industrial peeler
• Good Nature X6 Juicer
• Urschel RA-A slicer, dicer, macerator
• Langsenkamp 18P pulper/finisher
• Speidel bladder press
• Lee processing kettles
• Breddo 50-gallon Likwifier
• Lee storage tanks
• Basket Centrifuge

Thermal processes

We can ensure your food meets quality standards using a variety of thermal techniques and equipment.

Equipment list:

• Allpax 2402 Retort
• MicroThermics MTI BioPharm HTST/UHT Thermal Processor with homogenization and sterile fill hood
• Sinnovatek Nomadic Continuous Flow Microwave Processor
• 50-gallon vacuum pan
• Alfa Laval Votator
• CiderSure 3500 UV Pasteurizer
• Twin screw extruder

Extraction technology

We have the most current equipment available to recover valuable food components such as oil, sugar, proteins, fibers, colors or phytonutrients.

Equipment list:

• Armfield FT29 solvent extractor
• Armfield FT18 UF/DF/MF/RO membrane filtration skid
• Ultrasound skid
• Armfield FT22 rising film evaporator
• Cold Press oil extractors
• Centrifuge oil cleaner

Drying technology

Freeze, convection, microwave, spray—we offer the full range of drying technology to test on your product.

Equipment list:

• GEA Mobile Minor spray dryer
• Revo Stellar tray freeze dryer
• Blodgett tray convection dryer
• Excalibur Com-1 tray dehydrator

Particle size reduction & blending

Any ingredient, dropped down to any size and blended on our state-of-the-art equipment.

Equipment list:

• Frewitt FlexMill-Lab
• Sweeco vibratory sieve screens
• Ensight 150# single shaft, dual ribbon mixer
• PK V-blender

cGMP pilot plant

We offer the region’s only plant-based pilot plant with cGMP capabilities.

Equipment list:

• MicroThermics MTI BioPharm HTST/UHT Thermal Processor with homogenization and sterile fill hood
• Sinnovatek Nomadic Continuous Flow Microwave Processor
• 50-gallon vacuum pan
• Alfa Laval Votator
• CiderSure 3500 UV Pasteurizer
• Bag-in-box filler
• Storage tanks

Pilot plant use cases 

There are many ways our plant-based pilot plant can serve your established company or startup. Consider using us for:

• Testing for new product ideas or manufacturing processes
• Producing limited runs to test in market or for a small launch
• Optimizing an existing process and developing co-products to add value
• Manufacturing products for clinical studies
• Demonstration of new food ingredients in a finished product
• Providing a proving ground for equipment in the presence of upstream and downstream processing capability

Print-friendly Instrumentation, Equipment and Capabilities:

NCFIL Instrumentation & Capabilities.pdf