Tetra Pak has opened its new Product Development Centre (PDC) for Powder Process and Technology in Cholet, France, designed to accelerate innovation and optimise processes for powder-formulated products.
At 340m², the new powder PDC features a fully equipped pilot plant with modular production lines and the latest powder-handling technologies. It also includes a dedicated testing laboratory to ensure quality, compliance and optimisation.
Together, these facilities enable food and beverage powder producers to validate recipes and processes before industrial roll-out, cut development costs and product loss, trial sensitive or high-value ingredients, and meet sustainability targets.
From raw material characterisation and formulation through to pilot-scale simulation and industrial scale-up, the facility supports manufacturers across the full innovation cycle, from prototype to shelf. With a library of more than 6,000 powder samples and specialist testing instruments, the laboratory supports in-depth evaluation of powder properties and behaviours across applications, ranging from dairy and beverages to ice cream, whey protein and functional nutrition.
Charles Brand, executive vice president for processing solutions & equipment at Tetra Pak, said: “Powder-formulated products are now part of everyday diets, with demand soaring for fortified drinks, specialised nutrition and protein supplements. 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.”