SHARED FERMENTATION FACILITY HIGH-LEVEL ASSESSMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDY
MartinJenkins
The Project
MartinJenkins conducted an assessment of New Zealand's fermentation industry to identify the feasibility of establishing a fermentation scale-up facility. Through this study, they identified three innovative New Zealand fermentation companies with potential but who lacked access to appropriate scale-up infrastructure to progress toward full-scale production. A shared fermentation facility presented a potential solution to address these infrastructure gaps. However, the technical feasibility of operating different fermentation processes within a shared facility required an initial evaluation of process complexity, regulatory requirements, and shared facility risks.
Our Approach
Foodscope conducted a high-level technical feasibility assessment evaluating regulatory/compliance complexity, process compatibility across upstream, fermentation, and downstream operations, infrastructure requirements, and general facility design considerations. We utilised a three-tier complexity ranking system to assess compatibility between the companies' requirements. The assessment covered cross-contamination management, batch scale compatibility, equipment sharing potential, and multi-zone facility requirements.
Results Achieved
Delivered a feasibility assessment identifying the technical, regulatory and operational challenges requiring capital investment and complex systems to compensate for incompatibilities. Provided strategic recommendations including implementing a multi-zone facility design with various processing areas, and conducting early MPI engagement to address regulatory framework uncertainties. The assessment enabled Martin Jenkins to make informed decisions about facility scope, potential capital investment requirements, and proceed to further discussions with a better risk understanding.