Tetra Pak unveils new French Product Development Centre to boost scale-up for food and beverage powder producers

Tetra Pak has opened a new Product Development Centre (PDC) for Powder Process and Technology in Cholet, France, giving food and beverage producers a faster, more efficient route from concept to commercial-scale production.

The 340m² facility features a fully equipped pilot plant with modular production lines, advanced powder-handling systems, and a dedicated testing laboratory. Designed to help manufacturers validate powder-formulated products and processes under real industrial conditions, the center allows companies to de-risk new product launches, cut costs, and enhance product quality.

The new PDC enables producers to validate recipes and processes before full industrial roll-out, reducing the likelihood of costly errors. It also supports manufacturers in meeting sustainability targets by enabling more resource-efficient production. Sensitive or high-value ingredients can be trialled under near-identical conditions to large-scale production, minimizing waste and preventing downtime.

From raw material characterization and formulation to pilot-scale simulation and industrial scale-up, the Cholet centre offers support across the full innovation cycle. Its in-house laboratory, backed by a library of more than 6,000 powder samples, allows in-depth analysis of powder properties and behaviors across multiple applications, including dairy, beverages, ice cream, whey protein, and functional nutrition.

The pilot plant’s modular setup can be configured to meet each customer’s needs, ensuring flexibility and agility. Every trial can also be followed remotely through high-definition livestreaming, complete with real-time interaction and detailed post-trial reporting. Customers receive recordings, technical data, and product samples without having to be on-site.

Among the technologies showcased at the new facility are the Tetra Pak Air Jet Cleaning System for Powder and the Tetra Pak Production Control Ignition User Interface. The former enhances cleaning efficiency and ensures optimal use of ingredients, while the latter offers a scalable user interface for simplified production control and improved operational responsiveness.

Charles Brand, Executive Vice President for Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra Pak, said the launch came at a time of rising global demand for powder-based food and drink products. “Powder-formulated products are now part of everyday diets, with demand soaring for fortified drinks, specialized nutrition, and protein supplements,” he said. “Consumers want healthier, more convenient, and sustainable options – but also greater choice and quality. For producers, this means constant innovation, rapid scale-up, and flawless execution. Our new PDC is designed to help them achieve exactly that.”

Francois-Xavier Barbey, Business Stream Director, Powder Process and Technologies PSE Food Solutions, said the centre would give manufacturers a “clear competitive edge.” He added, “With advanced technologies, modular configuration opportunities, and deep process expertise, we help customers validate recipes, optimize production, and scale up quickly. Whether reducing product loss, preserving quality in sensitive formulations, or speeding up time-to-market, the PDC gives powder producers a clear advantage.”

The new PDC forms part of Tetra Pak’s global network of product development centers, which provide end-to-end support to food producers developing new products, formulations, and processes. Together, these facilities allow companies to test and refine product properties, tailor formulations to meet consumer needs, and accelerate their go-to-market strategies with reduced risk.

By connecting expertise across its international PDC ecosystem, Tetra Pak said it can help manufacturers shorten development timelines and improve confidence in scaling new products from prototype to shelf – providing what the company described as a “powerful scale-up advantage” in the fast-evolving food and beverage powder market.