Tetra Pak Launches Karlshamn Pilot Centre to Fast-Track Fermentation-Derived Food Scale-Up

Tetra Pak Launches Karlshamn Pilot Centre to Fast-Track Fermentation-Derived Food Scale-Up

(IN BRIEF) Tetra Pak has opened a pilot-scale New Food Technology Development Centre in Karlshamn, Sweden, offering biomass and precision fermentation producers expert guidance and customised trials to accelerate scale-up and reduce investment risk. The facility features modular fermentation and downstream-processing lines, two tailored programmes—Process Evaluation and Productivity Validation—and integration with Tetra Pak’s Lund formulation lab. Officially inaugurated on 13 June by EVP Charles Brand, the centre underscores Tetra Pak’s strategy to advance commercially viable fermentation-derived foods.

(PRESS RELEASE) LAUSANNE, 17-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Tetra Pak® today unveiled its New Food Technology Development Centre in Karlshamn, Sweden, a dedicated pilot facility designed to help producers of biomass- and precision fermentation–derived foods scale their operations from lab bench to commercial volumes. By partnering with Tetra Pak’s team of biotech and food-technology specialists, manufacturers can optimise both upstream fermentation and downstream processing, specify the right equipment and de-risk their capital investments.

Integrated into Tetra Pak’s broader product-development ecosystem, the Karlshamn centre supports ventures of every size—from early-stage start-ups validating novel ingredients to legacy food and beverage firms expanding into plant-based or microbial-based proteins. As investors demand clear paths to profitability, the centre offers two structured programmes: a Process Evaluation Programme for those transitioning to demo-scale or refining large-batch methods, and a Productivity Validation Programme for established operations seeking performance benchmarking and improvements.

Clients gain access to a modular, fit-for-food pilot line where they can compare harvesting technologies, trial reactor configurations and pilot tailored production runs that mirror full-scale operations. This hands-on approach reduces both capital expenditure and operational costs by pinpointing the most efficient process designs before committing to permanent equipment. Collaboration with Tetra Pak’s Lund-based formulation experts further enables simultaneous development of end-product properties, packaging concepts and go-to-market strategies.

Charles Brand, Executive Vice President for Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra Pak, inaugurated the centre on 13 June: “At a moment when some companies pull back, we’re doubling down on fermentation-derived foods. Scaling these innovations requires deep knowledge of both biology and food-industry realities—that’s our expertise. This centre embodies our commitment to turning New Food prototypes into shelf-ready products that feed the world sustainably.”

Media Contact:

Media contacts
Henry Stout
Tetra Pak
Henry.stout@tetrapak.com

SOURCE: Tetra Pak