SHANGHAI — Hiperbaric, a leading provider of high pressure processing (HPP) technology, officially opened its newest pilot plant in Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone. Dubbed HPP Incubator Shanghai, the facility will serve as a product development hub for food and beverage companies, including those in pet food, throughout Asia.

HPP is a process that leverages ultra-high pressure and cold water to inactivate harmful pathogens and microorganisms in packaged food. This processing method has gained significant interest in the pet food industry due to its ability to maintain nutrients, flavor and texture while also ensuring food safety. 

“This pilot plant is a game-changing resource for food and beverage companies in Asia,” said Jorge Marraud, director of Hiperbaric Asia. “By providing local access to our HPP technology and expertise, we’re removing barriers to innovation and helping companies bring safer, cleaner-label products to market faster than ever before.”

The new facility is equipped with an entry-level Hiperbaric 55 HPP system capable of processing up to 270 kgs (595.25 lbs) of product per hour. With this technology, the facility will offer a suite of services for manufacturers, including full-scale product trials, food science technical support, HPP packaging validation, processing parameters optimization, guidance on regulatory compliance, and shelf-life studies and validation support. 

To help lead the facility, Jizhou Lei, Ph.D., has joined Hiperbaric as an HPP food applications specialist. According to the company, Lei offers valuable expertise. She has a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and a master’s degree in food science from Cornell University.

“We’re excited to see strong interest from regional food and beverage companies who are already utilizing our pilot plant facilities,” Lei said. “Our team’s extensive experience in HPP technology enables us to provide comprehensive support throughout the product development journey, from initial concept to market-ready products.”

Andrés Hernando, chief executive officer of Hiperbaric, added, “The HPP Incubator Shanghai represents our commitment to fostering innovation in the Asian food and beverage sector. Under Jizhou Lei’s leadership, we are already collaborating with several regional producers to advance their HPP product development initiatives.”

Hiperbaric’s HPP Incubator Shanghai builds upon the company’s existing presence in China, where the company has been operating since 2009. According to Hiperbaric, the facility demonstrates its commitment to the Asian market and its overall goal to advance HPP adoption in the region. 

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