US-based Hope Foods has commenced operation of Avure Technologies' QFP-350L 600, a high pressure processing (HPP) system.

Avure stated that the QFP-350L 600 is the first unit to be completed at its manufacturing facility in Middletown, Ohio, and it joins an Avure 100L system, which was installed at Hope Fresh tolling operation in mid-May.

Hope Fresh, parent company Hope Foods, president Robbie Rech said that along with boosting capacity, the Avure 350L HPP system provides the assurance of redundancy that makes food processors more comfortable.

Avure Senior Business Development and Global Sales vice president Matt Rutherford said that the company's decision to establish a North American manufacturing operation was made last year as a key step in building the global infrastructure to support the rapidly expanding HPP market.

The Ohio site was selected for its robust industrial infrastructure and access to materials expertise, the company said.

Avure commenced production of HPP food processing systems including high-volume 525L-600, in August.