CPI strengthens route to market for novel foods with expanded pilot-scale capability

NFIC was established to support the development of next-generation food ingredients produced through engineering biology technologies such as precision fermentation, cell culture and biomass fermentation.

Located in CPI’s National Industrial Biotechnology Facility at Wilton Centre in Redcar, NFIC now offers pilot-scale food bioprocessing alongside its established laboratory capability. The facility supports scale-up from high-throughput mL-scale experimentation in the AMBR 250, through fermenters at 1 L, 10 L, 50 L, 100 L, 400 L, to two 750 L pilot-scale units, all integrated with downstream processing and formulation capabilities. 

The food-grade environment is designed to operate in line with internationally recognised food safety standards and HACCP principles, enabling companies to generate material suitable for taste trials, technical evaluation, regulatory activity and commercial engagement under industrially representative conditions. 

While many products can be successfully demonstrated at laboratory scale, processes often behave differently as volumes increase. Changes in mixing, oxygen transfer and feeding strategies can affect yield and product quality, while downstream recovery can significantly alter production economics. Without pilot-scale validation, businesses frequently face major investment decisions with limited evidence, increasing risk and slowing commercialisation. 

The expanded capability allows organisations to understand how their processes perform under realistic operating conditions before committing to full-scale manufacturing. By combining food-grade scale-up facilities, analytical characterisation, regulatory expertise and techno-economic assessment in one location, CPI supports companies in generating trusted performance, safety and cost data earlier in development. 

NFIC already enables seamless progression from small-scale screening and optimisation through to intermediate-scale food-grade development. The addition of larger pilot-scale operations now extends this pathway, allowing organisations to validate scalability and make informed manufacturing decisions within a single collaborative environment. 

By providing open-access food bioprocess scale-up infrastructure, the centre supports companies seeking to commercialise in the UK and reduces the need to rely on overseas facilities for scale-up testing.

Kris Wadrop, Managing Director – Materials at CPI, said:

“A major challenge in novel food innovation is demonstrating that a process will operate reliably beyond the laboratory. Pilot-scale validation provides the evidence organisations need before committing to manufacturing investment. 

“Generating trusted technical and safety data in a food-grade environment helps companies engage partners and investors with confidence and progress more quickly towards commercial production.” 

CPI will showcase the expanded capability at an upcoming industry event, bringing together technology developers, food manufacturers, investors and partners to explore scale-up challenges and opportunities across the novel food sector. 

Organisations interested in understanding how pilot-scale validation could support their development and commercialisation plans are invited to attend and engage with CPI specialists.