R&D Lab and Testing
Test Before You Invest
Our fully operational R&D Lab allows you to run controlled trials with your own materials.
The goal is to determine the optimal process, equipment, or plant setup for your specific feedstock—before committing to full-scale investment.
Contact us to arrange a trial or discuss your material.
Ongoing Process Support
Our R&D Lab also supports continuous process optimisation beyond initial feasibility trials. Controlled small batch runs allow you to test multiple parameter sets: temperature, residence time, moisture, and throughput - without interrupting routine production.
This approach provides reliable full scale operating data while keeping disruption and material usage to a minimum.
- Multiple test runs under varied parameter settings
- Reduced impact on regular production schedules
- Lower material usage and significantly less waste
- Faster comparison of processing conditions
- Reliable parameters for full scale processing
Process Lab Facilities
The lab is equipped to replicate industrial processes under controlled conditions:
- Intake & Weighing – precise measurement of raw materials.
- Micronizing - infrared thermal processing.
- Milling – particle size reduction.
- Expeller Pressing – oil extraction and mechanical processing.
- NIR/Analysis Equipment – selective near-infrared analysis for material characterization.
Step‑by‑Step Material Testing & Process Validation
Each trial follows a structured workflow, ensuring engineering-grade data to guide investment decisions.
01 Material Intake
Material is received, weighed, and documented to establish a clear baseline for the trial.
- Intake and weighing of materials
- Record material specifications and batch details
- Prepare samples for processing
02 Process Selection
The most relevant process path is defined jointly, based on material behaviour and trial objectives.
- Choose between micronizing, milling, pressing, or combinations
- Adjust parameters for efficiency
- Test different equipment configurations
03 Controlled Trial Execution
Feedstock is processed under controlled, lab scale conditions that replicate industrial operation.
- Infrared thermal processing with Maze Micronizer
- Milling
- Expeller pressing facilities
- Apply selective NIR/analysis equipment
04 Data Capture & Analysis
Performance data is measured and reviewed to understand how the material responds to each process.
- Record throughput, yield, and energy use
- Document process parameters
- Evaluate quality and functionality
05 Technical Reporting
A detailed technical report is prepared, summarizing setup, parameters, results, and engineering insights.
- Summarize setup and process path
- Provide performance insights
- Highlight efficiency and optimization opportunities
06 Decision Support
Trial outcomes are evaluated together to identify the most efficient solution and the appropriate scale up path.
- Compare process alternatives
- Validate equipment suitability
- Reduce investment risk
- Guide investment and scale-up decisions
Infrared Processing Applications Tested
Many of the thermal processes featured across our application pages were first developed and proven in the Maze R&D Lab before being scaled into full production solutions.
Applications Already Tested & Validated in Our R&D Lab
Our R&D Lab has successfully developed, tested, and validated a wide range of thermal processing applications. Several of these have already been scaled into full production‑level plant implementations.
- Sterilisation & Pasteurisation – scaled into production‑level implementation
- Toasting – scaled into production‑level implementation
- Roasting
- Cereal precooking
- Functionality testing
- Flavour profiling
- Colour profiling
- Oilseed pretreatment
- Extrusion pretreatment
Arrange a Trial
Our R&D Lab is available for controlled trials with your own materials. If you’re exploring thermal processing options, validating a new product, or assessing process feasibility, we can run structured tests to determine the optimal parameters for your feedstock.
To arrange a trial or explore process options for your material, please contact us.