Process Engineering

Implement a new bioprocess or optimise an existing process to deliver breakthrough products and services.

We can design, develop and implement solutions to scale manufacturing, increase production efficiency, and improve the economic viability of the process.

We are approved by the Ministry of Primary Industries to manufacture selected products using our in-house facilities or those of the NZ Food Innovation Network.

Industrial Process Development

Our team specialise in creating tailor-made manufacturing processes for natural products, covering extraction, drying, membrane separation, evaporation, crystallisation, encapsulation, chemical and enzymatic processing, and adsorption separations.

Bioprocess Extraction and Formulation

We can develop a targeted bioprocess based on your molecule of interest. Our work includes raw material preparation, extraction and formulation for herbal tinctures, nutraceuticals, foods and food ingredients, plant extracts and biofuels.

Supercritical Fluid Technologies

Our team of specialists can help you solve unique extraction, purification, and separation challenges. We offer a comprehensive range of extraction methods, including Supercritical CO2 that can extract compounds efficiently, free of solvent residue and preserving their properties.

Bioprocess Optimisation and Scale-up

We have the upstream and downstream capabilities to take bioprocess projects from small-scale to large-scale, maintaining product consistency and quality throughout. Projects cover proof of concept bench-scale through to 1000L pilot scale.

Bioprocess Filtration and Purification

Whether you need to create a new product, improve product yield or quality, recover a valuable by-product, or overcome an existing process limitation, we offer a range of filtration and purification solutions to customers in natural product industries.

Food Grade Test Samples

With our expertise in food-grade production, you can confidently bring your natural product to market. We specialise in producing safe and high-quality test samples, enabling you to validate your product's market potential and generate early sales.

Meet our experts

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Stephen Tallon Team Leader, Principal Chemical Engineer Supercritical fluid processing for natural products

I'm the Team Leader and Principal Chemical Engineer in the Process Engineering team at Callaghan Innovation. My expertise lies in the field of Biotechnologies, specifically focusing on Industrial processing of natural products, solvent extraction, and supercritical fluid processing.

Stephen Tallon Team Leader, Principal Chemical Engineer

Teresa Moreno Principal Project Engineer Supercritical fluid extraction expert

I work as a Principal Project Engineer specialising in Process Engineering within the Biotechnologies team where my focus is on the production of high-value products derived from biological resources.

Teresa Moreno Principal Project Engineer

Peter Dyer Senior Principal Engineer Natural product extraction and scale-up

I am a Senior Principal Engineer in the Biotechnologies department. My expertise is in the extraction, separation and purification of Natural Products, where I specialise in green and traditional solvent extraction methods, downstream separations, fractionation, purification and process scale-up.

Peter Dyer Senior Principal Engineer

Success stories

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Customer story

Frenz: The might of mussel creating even healthier eggs

It’s a win-win solution, with egg producer Frenz developing a way to create dry feed for its hens from mussel byproduct. It adds essential nutrients to their diet, and eliminates waste products too.

Customer story

Mānuka Health: Pioneering the power of New Zealand propolis

A Kiwi natural health company that helped pinpoint the active compound in Mānuka honey has also, alongside Callaghan Innovation, spent the last decade investigating the protective properties of propolis - and the results are compelling.

Customer story

Biotelliga: Helping feed the world without harmful chemicals

Minimal environmental impact, maximal crop yields. Biotelliga’s natural agricultural crop protection technologies, developed with the help of Callaghan Innovation, are the answer to reducing the reliance on harmful chemicals.

Customer story

Rua Bioscience: Sowing the seeds to success in the medicinal cannabis industry

It’s a new industry but producing cannabis-derived medicines has been years in the making for Rua Bioscience. And it’s those former years where Callaghan Innovation has been crucial in helping them get production ready.

Customer story

Manuka Bioscience: Developing mānuka oil into a natural antibiotic

With huge growth potential, Manuka Bioscience - alongside Callaghan Innovation - is developing and testing using mānuka oil to more effectively treat skin infections.

Customer story

Citizen: Tackling food waste, one loaf at a time

From bread to beer and back again. Citizen, with the help of Callaghan Innovation, is using food waste and upcycling it into new food and drink products.