Thermal Processing, Validation, and Testing Services

Thermal Process Authority and Validation Support

We work with customers’ internal thermal process authorities and external consultants to support safe, compliant, and efficient retort operations. This collaborative approach strengthens processes and promotes consistent results.

Access to Qualified Experts

Customers without a designated thermal process authority can rely on STOCK for referrals to trusted professionals with qualified support for:

Regulatory compliance

Product safety and consistent quality

Efficient process management

TechniCAL Partnership

STOCK partners with TechniCAL, an internationally recognized thermal process authority organization that has served the industry since 1972.

TechniCAL provides food-safety consulting for processors of Low-Acid Canned Foods (LACF) and Acidified Foods. Services include process authority support, Part 11 validation, and regulatory-style operational audits and assessments.

Clemson University- Retort and Food Process Testing

As retort processing expands across the food and beverage industry, Clemson supports continued innovation through a newly renovated, state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to research, education, and thermal-processing services for packaged foods.

Capabilities and Services

Three retort systems capable of simulating any process currently used in industry

Shelf-life evaluation for packaged foods

Product and process development support

Retort-packaging testing and evaluation

Professional training for industry personnel

Product Development & Testing Features & Benefits

Optimization of your process achieves the best possible results for Food Safety and Quality
With so many variables to consider, such as time, temperature, agitation, heating medium Etc., working with our Pilot Retort and group of professionals, affords Faster Time-To-Market
Our ICON SCADA control system provides 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and offers Recipe driven configuration, process data collection and trending, and FDA/USDA accepted batch reporting
Process Authority Services are available to assist with FDA/USDA regulations and process filings
Small run Pilot Plant Trials can allow for sensory testing and market studies

Additional Products

Water Immersion Retorts and Batch Retort Machinery

STOCK is a long-term partner with DFT, a premier supplier of water immersion rotary retort technology dating back to installation over 45 years in the U.S. These German engineered retorts systems are of the highest quality and controlled by the STOCK designed ICON control system to provide best in class technology with robust machinery. The water Immersion Rotary process specializes in processing delicate products that require agitation to achieve the highest quality product and shortest cycle time.

Steam Water Spray Retorts

STOCK has designed a new customized Steam Water Retort to our product portfolio. Focusing on features and benefits that ensures the highest level of food safety to meet or exceed regulatory requirements, this new product is a great fit for static and agitating overpressure processes very commonly used for pouches.

ImmersaFlow™ Batch Retorts

STOCK now offers our patented ImmersaFlow™ retort technology, one of the most promising technologies to be introduced to the in-container food industry in many years.

Hydrolock Continuous Retorts

For brands moving into continuous sterilization, the Hydrolock multi-mode pilot provides process simulation to assist in modeling the best long-term solution for any given container or product. With continuous retorts, process optimization is a key factor in these high volume machines.

R&D Pilot Retort

The STOCK Pilot Retort offers multiple modes of operation in one machine to provide processors the ability to model the most efficient retort process for any given container and product category. Both rotary and rocking agitation features combined with three process modes provides significant flexibility in one machine.

R&D Pilot Continuous Retort

For brands entering continuous sterilization, the Hydrolock multi-mode pilot provides process simulation and optimization, supporting R&D retort, saturated steam retort, and steam air retort systems.

Micro-Shuttle

This platform is executed in a two or four basket/cube configuration. The shuttle system is an X, Y application guided by rails bolted to the floor. The rails are fully adjustable and can be positioned to match the elevation of the retort and adapt to irregular floor elevations.

Sweep Type Loader/Unloader

Provided are two modules, one for loading and the second for unloading.

Gantry Type Loader/Unloader

The STOCK Gantry Style Pick and Place Loader/Unloader reduces the labor-intensive tasks of stacking and unstacking heavy trays to and from the retorts.

Conveyor Network

If the desire is to fully eliminate the use of manual trolleys, we can provide Interconnection Conveyors to transport baskets and accurately interface with the Retort Delivery System and Loader/Unloader.

Basket Tracking Option

To be absolutely sure each basket of product went through the retort cycle, basket tracking is available.

Automated Retorts

For Automated Retort Rooms, the retorts are designed to completely integrate with the material handling components.

Automated Product Delivery

Automated Product Delivery Systems provide operator free retort loading and unloading at high production rates by traversing across the floor in front of a bank of retorts to load and unload product.

Automated Sweep Type Loader/Unloader (Rigid Containers)

The Automated Loaders and Unloaders incorporate all the features to provide the fastest sweep speeds for rigid containers in the market within a very robust stainless-steel frame controlled by an Allen Bradley PLC and Color Touchscreen.

Gantry & Robotic Loader/Unloader for Flexible Containers

Automated Flexible Container Loaders and Unloaders use integrated infeed systems with robotic or gantry-style vacuum pick-and-place operations for efficient staging.

Automated Basket Transportation Network with Basket Tracking

The link between the Loader/Unloader and Retort Crate Delivery is the crate conveyor network.

Retort Controls ICON SMS

The ICON is a state of the art control and data acquisition system for control and monitoring sterilization systems, related equipment and general thermal processes.

Retort Controls Add-On Modules

Over the years and at customer request, STOCK has implemented and included many different features to add on to our ICON SCADA control system. We have taken the most requested features and bundled them into software modules. These modules can be added to existing ICON, included with a control system upgrade, or delivered along with new equipment.