Tetra Pak has opened a new product development center for Powder Process and Technology in Cholet, France. The center supports F&B manufacturers in validating industrial-scale powder-formulated products and processes.

Authenticating recipes and processes before industrial roll-out can reduce the risk of costly errors and enhance product quality as demand for protein-enriched products expands.

“Powder-formulated products are now part of everyday diets, with demand soaring for fortified drinks, specialized nutrition, and protein supplements. Consumers want healthier, more convenient and sustainable options — but also greater choice and quality,” says Charles Brand, EVP for Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra Pak.

“For producers, this means constant innovation, rapid scale-up and, flawless execution. Our new product development center is designed to help them achieve exactly that.”

Inside Tetra Pak’s advanced powder center

The new 340m² center features a fully equipped pilot plant with modular production lines and the latest powder-handling technologies. It also includes a testing laboratory for ensuring product quality, compliance, and optimization.

Tetra Pak says that these facilities enable food and beverage powder producers to reduce development costs and product loss, while meeting sustainability targets through more efficient, resource-conscious processing methods.

The facility supports manufacturers across the innovation cycle, from prototype to shelf. With a library of over 6,000 powder samples and specialist testing instruments, the laboratory supports in-depth evaluation of powder properties and behaviors across applications, including dairy, beverages, ice cream, whey protein, and functional nutrition.

The pilot plants’ modular set-up means trials can be configured to each customer’s specific requirements, accelerating industrial rollouts and minimizing downtime and product waste. Every trial can also be followed remotely via high-definition livestreaming with real-time interaction and detailed post-trial reporting.

The center also showcases the latest powder-handling technologies, including the Tetra Pak Air Jet Cleaning System for Powder, which improves cleaning efficiency and ensures the optimal use of costly ingredients, and Tetra Pak Production Control Ignition User Interface, a single, scalable user interface that simplifies production control and drives operational responsiveness.

“With advanced technologies, modular configuration opportunities, and deep process expertise, we help customers validate recipes, optimize production, and scale up quickly,” says Francois-Xavier Barbey, business stream director for Powder Process and Technologies PSE Food Solutions at Tetra Pak.

“Whether reducing product loss, preserving quality in sensitive formulations, or speeding up time-to-market, the product development center gives powder producers a clear competitive edge.”

Tetra Pak also recently unveiled an automation and digitalization platform designed to make F&B factories “AI-ready.”