Functional beverage manufacturer
Tampa Bay, FL. 2,500L mixing capacity. Fill range 3ml to 64oz across six packaging lines.
HBM is a functional beverage manufacturer running 2,500L of jacketed mixing capacity at its Tampa Bay liquid facility. Three 500L vessels and one 1,000L vessel feed five semi-automatic packaging lines (3ml to 64oz, 10,000 units per line per day) and one fully automatic line (0.5oz to 4oz, 30,000 units per day). Combined throughput is 25,000 liters per day. MOQ is 3,000 units or 150L. Most contract manufacturers route beverages to a partner. HBM does not. The 10-step framework runs from NDA to commercial production under one quality system and the eight HBM certifications.
Functional beverage manufacturing specs
| MOQ | 3,000 units or 150L |
|---|---|
| Mixing capacity | 2,500L total (3 × 500L + 1 × 1,000L jacketed vessels) |
| Daily throughput | 25,000 liters per day |
| Monthly throughput | 750,000 liters per month |
| Fill range | 3ml to 64oz (semi-automatic); 0.5oz to 4oz (fully automatic) |
| Packaging lines | 5 semi-automatic at 10,000 units/day each, 1 fully automatic at 30,000 units/day |
| Systems supported | Water-based, oil-based, emulsion, liposomal, suspension |
| Lead time (commercial) | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Certifications | 8, including FDA Registration, NSF, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified |
| Facility | Tampa Bay, FL |
System selection.
Functional beverages are usually suspensions or emulsions. Suspensions deliver insoluble actives like zinc oxide or botanical extracts with xanthan or carrageenan as the stabilizer. Emulsions deliver oil-soluble actives like vitamin D or omega-3 in a water-based drink using lecithin or gum arabic. HBM also runs water-based, oil-based, and liposomal systems on the same vessels.
Mixing.
All four vessels are jacketed for temperature control. Each has a high-speed roto-stator and sweeping blades. The roto-stator creates the shear needed for emulsion droplet size and liposomal hydration. The sweeping blades hold homogeneity along the vessel wall. Total capacity is 2,500L.
Fill line match.
Beverage SKUs typically land in the 8oz to 16oz window. That fits the semi-automatic lines at 10,000 units per day each. Five lines run in parallel. Smaller shot-style SKUs (0.5oz to 4oz) route to the fully automatic line at 30,000 units per day. Fill range across the facility spans 3ml to 64oz.
Stability.
Aqueous beverages need preservation. Options include potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, ascorbic acid, or label-friendly systems like rosemary extract. Emulsions need verified droplet size at pilot batch. Suspensions get a settling test under accelerated conditions. The preservation system and pH window are locked before commercial production.
Lead time.
Bench samples run 2 to 4 weeks after NDA, discovery call, and formula review. Pilot batch runs 2 to 4 weeks after sample approval. Commercial production runs 4 to 8 weeks after pilot approval. The formal preliminary estimate lands within 24 hours of the discovery call.
HBM vs most contract manufacturers
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOQ for functional beverage manufacturing at HBM?
HBM's MOQ for functional beverages is 3,000 units or 150L of mixed liquid, whichever the buyer prefers. The 150L floor exists because batches below that size do not mix cleanly in the 500L vessels. Buyers can use either threshold as the qualifying minimum. Higher unit counts price down per unit on reorders.
Which beverage systems does HBM run?
HBM runs five systems in-house: water-based, oil-based, emulsion, liposomal, and suspension. Most functional beverages land in the emulsion or suspension category. Emulsions cover oil-soluble actives in a water carrier. Suspensions cover insoluble particulates like zinc oxide or botanical extracts. All five systems share the same 2,500L of jacketed mixing capacity.
What fill sizes does HBM support for functional beverages?
HBM fills from 3ml up to 64oz on five semi-automatic lines. A separate fully automatic line covers 0.5oz to 4oz at 30,000 units per day. Most functional beverages run on the semi-automatic lines in the 8oz to 16oz range. Each semi-automatic line runs 10,000 units per day. Six packaging lines total at the facility.
What is the lead time for a functional beverage project at HBM?
HBM's preliminary estimate lands within 24 hours of the discovery call. Bench samples run 2 to 4 weeks. Pilot batch runs 2 to 4 weeks after sample approval. Commercial production runs 4 to 8 weeks after pilot sign-off. The full timeline from NDA to first commercial shipment is roughly 10 to 18 weeks.
Can HBM handle the preservation and stability work for an aqueous beverage?
Yes. HBM's R&D team selects the preservation system at the formula review stage. Options include potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, ascorbic acid, and label-friendly alternatives like rosemary extract or mixed tocopherols. The pH window and water activity are tuned at bench sample. Stability is verified during pilot batch before commercial release.
Related pages
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