FoodPlant, Singapore
FoodPlant and Elea partner to introduce Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology at Singapore’s first shared food processing facility.
A Strategic Facility for Food Innovation
FoodPlant, a subsidiary of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and supported by Enterprise Singapore and JTC Corporation, is Singapore’s first shared facility for small-batch food production. It plays a key role in advancing innovation within the food industry by helping start-ups, SMEs, and larger companies test, scale, and commercialise novel food products. The facility offers pilot-scale equipment, technical expertise, and process development support to accelerate product development.
Beyond its innovation capabilities, FoodPlant is also a hub for industry education and capability building. It conducts technology-focused training programmes and offers hands-on learning opportunities for both professionals and SIT undergraduates, contributing to the growth and resilience of Singapore’s food ecosystem.
Dr LIM Bee Gim, Founding CEO and now Technical Advisor at FoodPlant.
Introducing Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) Technology
As part of its founding vision to offer advanced processing capabilities, FoodPlant integrated Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology into its suite of equipment from the early planning stage.
“I was first introduced to Elea’s PEF technology while evaluating advanced processes that could expand FoodPlant’s capabilities,”
shares Associate Professor Lim Bee Gim, Founding CEO and now Technical Advisor at FoodPlant.
Dr Lim, who also serves as a faculty member at SIT, explains her keen interest in PEF:
“My interest in pulsed electric field (PEF) technology stems from its potential to offer energy-efficient, clean-label, and functional processing solutions for the food industry.”
In Singapore’s context—where food resilience and sustainability are national priorities—PEF presents a compelling non-thermal alternative to improve shelf life, extraction efficiency, and product quality.
A Collaborative Partnership: FoodPlant and Elea
FoodPlant’s engagement with Elea Technology, the leading global provider of PEF systems, began through its initiative to introduce transformative food processing technologies to the region.
“Elea has been a responsive and collaborative partner, providing technical expertise as we explore applications ranging from juice and beverage processing to enhancing the efficiency of drying upcycled ingredients.”
At the core of this collaboration is the installation of the Elea PEF Pilot Dual system at FoodPlant. This system offers both batch mode processing (up to 10 kg per batch) and continuous mode processing (up to 250 litres per hour)—making it ideal for R&D and pilot-scale production.
The addition of this system not only supports product trials but also opens the door to structured training programmes focused on PEF.
“With PEF technology now part of our suite, we are exploring future training initiatives that can help demystify its application and accelerate its adoption in the region—providing both foundational knowledge and deeper technical insights for industry practitioners.”
Education, Application, and Industry Growth
Beyond its role in innovation, Dr Lim continues to champion industry upskilling through the design and delivery of specialised training courses at FoodPlant. With technologies like PEF still relatively new to the region, training plays a crucial role in building awareness, understanding, and confidence in application.
“As we continue expanding FoodPlant’s technological capabilities, there is growing interest in exploring training opportunities related to emerging technologies like pulsed electric field (PEF), particularly in areas where industry application is still nascent but promising.”
This forward-looking approach reflects Dr Lim’s broader commitment to bridging academic insight with industrial application, and to supporting the growth of Singapore’s agri-food ecosystem through sustainable innovation and regulatory guidance.