GFIC Pilot Scale-Up
Need a dedicated space and access to pilot-scale equipment to process your product?
GFIC offers pilot-scale facilities designed to bridge the gap between bench-top development and commercial manufacturing with three specialized pilot plants. Each facility is equipped with advanced processing systems and handled by trained technical staff, allowing clients to confidently move from concept to commercial readiness.
We provide the flexibility to test, optimize, and validate your products under real processing conditions. Our pilot plants are the perfect space to do pilot activities without needing to purchase your own equipment, interim co-manufacturing, and productions that cannot happen in your facility.
Pilot Plant 1 – Public Health Inspected Facility
Our public health–inspected pilot plant supports the preparation of market-ready samples in a food-safe, compliant environment. It is ideal for small-scale production, hot-fill applications, and short-run commercialization trials. Products produced in this facility can be made for public consumption, following all relevant public health and food safety standards.
- HTST/UHT Pasteurization, homogenization, and mixing
- Extrusion and thermal treatment
- Filling and packaging of liquid and semi-solid foods
- Filling and packaging of powdered mixes
- Size reduction, emulsification, and blending
Pilot Plant 2 – OMAFA – Certified Dairy Processing Facility
Our OMAFA-certified pilot plant supports dairy and non-dairy product development, including cheese, frozen desserts, beverages, and protein ingredient processing. It is equipped for pasteurization, fermentation, freezing, filtration, and drying under licensed dairy processing conditions.
Because this facility operates under OMAFA certification, products processed here can be manufactured for public consumption and meet Ontario’s regulatory requirements for commercial dairy production.
- Cheese, cultured, and fermented product manufacture
- Ice cream and frozen dessert production (continuous and batch)
- Spray drying and microwave vacuum drying
- Protein separation and concentration via membrane filtration
- Ricotta and soft cheese processing
- CIP and sanitation systems for dairy-grade compliance
Pilot Plant 3 – Bench-Top & Pre-Scale Development Lab
Our bench-scale facility is used for small-batch, proof-of-concept, and pre-scale testing. This space is ideal for process validation, troubleshooting, and formulation refinement prior to pilot or full production.
- Homogenization (2-stage homogenizer)
- Small-batch freezing and frozen dessert development
- Soft-serve frozen dessert development
- Carbonated and liquid nitrogen–dosed (LN₂-dosed) beverage development
- Emulsion formulation and stability assessment
- Small-batch spray-drying for powders and ingredients
- Viscosity and texture evaluation
Your Partner in Scale-Up Success
Whether developing a new dairy beverage, validating a thermal process, or preparing prototype batches for market testing, GFIC’s pilot facilities and experienced technical staff provide the ideal environment to transition from concept to commercial success.
