How economical is HPP processing?
A commercial scale high pressure vessel costs approximately between $500,000 to $2.5 million dollars depending upon the equipment capacity, and the extent of automation. As a new processing technology with a limited market, pressure processed products may cost 3-10 cents per pound more to produce than thermally processed products. With two 215-litre HPP units operating under typical food processing conditions, a throughput of approximately 20 million pounds per year is achievable. High throughput is accomplished by using multiple pressure vessels. Factory production rates beyond 40 million pounds per year are now in operation. As demand for HPP equipment grows, capital cost and operating cost will continue to decrease. Consumers benefit from the increased shelf life, quality, and availability of value-added and new types of foods (which are otherwise not possible to make using thermal processing methods).
