2026-06-23
Developing Close to Practice: How the Process Center Advances Customer Projects
Customers can validate their processes under real-life conditions and make investment decisions based on reliable data.Stefan Bichlmeier Stefan Bichlmeier, Head of Process Engineering at Flottweg and a key player in the development of the process center.
With the official opening of the new Process Center, Flottweg has reached an important milestone at its Vilsbiburg site. Covering around 2,000 square meters, the technology center combines laboratories, pilot facilities, and modern workspaces – with the goal of testing and further developing customer applications under realistic conditions.
In this interview, Stefan Bichlmeier, Head of Process Engineering, talks about the significance of the new Process Center, initial practical experience, and the added value it brings to customers.
Mr. Bichlmeier, the Process Center is now officially operational. What conclusions have you drawn from the first projects?
The initial projects are already showing that we can work much more flexibly and efficiently. The Process Center is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory work and industrial applications.
We can map entire process chains under realistic conditions – from initial laboratory analysis through to pilot-scale trials. What makes the difference is the combination of modern plant technology, flexible test setups, and short coordination paths. This allows results to be evaluated more quickly and processes to be further developed in a targeted way.
What makes the Process Center unique, and what specific added value does it offer your customers?
What sets the Process Center apart is the combination of state-of-the-art equipment and a high degree of flexibility in how trials are carried out. Customers can test their applications using their own materials under realistic conditions and further develop them together with us. We are able to map complete process chains as well as analyze and optimize individual process steps in a targeted manner. This results in a very precise understanding of each specific application.
Another advantage is the operational flexibility: we can run multiple trials in parallel and, thanks to our extensive range of machines and systems, respond quickly to different requirements. In addition, many trials can be conducted centrally at our site, reducing organizational effort and saving resources for both sides.
The Process Centers White AreaWhat has improved compared to your previous way of working?
One major difference is the much closer coordination between the various departments. Samples can be analyzed immediately, and the results can be fed directly back into ongoing trials. In addition, our expanded capacities and modern equipment allow us not only to test processes, but to systematically further develop them – including the recording of consumption data and process parameters.
This brings us significantly closer to real operating conditions at the customer’s site and increases the reliability of the results.
The TecDay offered initial insights into the Process Center. What role did the event play for you?
For us, TecDay was an important platform to present the Process Center in operation for the first time. Participants were able to gain insight into how we work and what possibilities are now available – from laboratory analyses to large-scale trials.
At the same time, the event demonstrated the strong interest in practical solutions and application-oriented development. The exchange with customers, partners, and experts on site was extremely valuable for us.
What does a typical customer project at the Process Center look like today?
A project usually begins with a specific question from the customer. Based on this, we jointly define a test plan.
The process typically consists of six steps:
- Definition of objectives
- Analysis of a product sample in the laboratory
- Joint evaluation of the results
- Pilot-scale trials under realistic conditions
- Evaluation and reporting
- Derivation of concrete recommendations for process design and machine configuration
The close collaboration across all departments allows us to achieve reliable results very quickly. Customers are also welcome to attend the trials on site, both in the laboratory and in the pilot plant. Direct exchange and joint evaluation of interim results enable us to respond quickly to customer requirements and adapt accordingly.
Can you provide a specific application example?
A growing focus area is alternative proteins, particularly plant-based applications. Here, we see strong demand for efficient separation processes and scalable solutions. Customers provide us with raw materials such as flours, for example. In the Process Center, we map the entire process or individual steps – from extraction through to separation. If required, equipment for upstream and downstream processes can also be integrated into the test setup.
The result is real product samples that can be further processed or analyzed. This significantly shortens development times, increases planning reliability, and enables customers to bring new applications into practice more quickly.
How does the Process Center impact your customers’ development timelines and investment decisions?
The Process Center offers clear advantages in terms of speed, reliability, and efficiency in project development. Customers can test and validate their processes at an early stage under realistic conditions, significantly reducing development times. At the same time, the data generated provides a reliable basis for investment decisions. Processes can be analyzed and optimized in detail in advance, reducing risks and increasing planning certainty.
Trials at customer sites will continue to play an important role in many applications. However, wherever possible, conducting trials at the Vilsbiburg site helps reduce the effort required for machine transport, installation at the customer’s plant, and travel.
Overall, this means for our customers: faster results, more informed decisions, and more efficient project implementation.
What role does the Process Center play in Flottweg’s future development?
The Process Center is a key element of our strategic direction. We are increasingly evolving from a machine manufacturer into a holistic process partner. This involves closer collaboration with our customers, more intensive development work, and a more integrated consulting approach.
Our goal is not only to provide technology, but to work together with our customers to deliver complete process solutions tailored to their specific applications.
