Incipientus: In-line Viscosity Monitoring of Tomato Products

Incipientus Ultrasound Flow Technologies AB, a state-of-the-art technological business with its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, specialises in non-invasive, in-line process monitoring instruments for intricate industrial liquids.

The company’s real-time, ultrasound-based sensors, which have their roots in medical ultrasound technology, offer immediate insights into the rheological characteristics, including viscosity and consistency, and the flow behaviour right inside manufacturing lines.

These capabilities are notably revolutionary for the food processing industry, especially in the production of pasta sauces, tomato paste, and ketchup, where precision in formulation, texture, and uniformity are crucial. Without requiring human sample or laboratory testing, Incipientus helps producers to expedite production, improve product quality, minimize ingredient waste, and optimize process control for a variety of products, including thick tomato concentrates, pourable ketchups, and chunky or smooth pasta sauces.

Emphasis on Technology
Incipientus creates sensor systems based on ultrasonic technology that track the viscosity, consistency, and flow characteristics of non-Newtonian fluids in real time. This is particularly useful in the production of tomato-based products, as products such as tomato paste, ketchup, and other sauces behave differently depending on the temperature and shear rate. 
Incipientus removes the inefficiencies and delays associated with off-line lab testing by enabling continuous, in-line monitoring. As a result, there is a lower chance of formulation or cooking problems and a consistent texture and flavour profile across each batch. This enables more effective filling, heating, and mixing processes, as well as improved sustainability by using less energy and ingredients. 
The technology encourages complete digitization and automation in the food production environment, which is in line with Industry 4.0 ideas.

Tomato Paste installation example

Applications in the Production of Foods Based on Tomatoes
• Keeping an eye on the tomato paste’s consistency while it cooks and concentrates
• Ensuring uniform ingredient usage in ketchup production before filling 
• Managing flow dynamics in thick, high-viscosity tomato blends; 
• Regulating pasta sauce texture and chunk dispersion during filling 

By providing real-time, non-contact data, the technology makes food production more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable.

Enhancing American Ketchup Manufacturing with In-Line Rheology Monitoring
To improve real-time monitoring of product viscosity and flow behaviour, a large U.S. ketchup maker has incorporated multiple Incipientus In-Line Visco-Rheometers into its processing lines, including specialized tomato paste production lines. Continuous rheological measurements during production are made possible by the non-invasive, in-line technology, which does away with the necessity for manual consistometer sampling or process pauses. This application supports sanitary production requirements, boosts overall yield, guarantees product uniformity, and enhances process control.

Ketchup installation examples

Research partnerships & Investors
As a technology partner, Incipientus participates in AI-PRO (Advancing Efficiency within the Processing Industry), a cutting-edge collaborative project involving RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB which will be starting in September 2025 for a duration of 3 years. This project concentrates on enhancing processing efficiency via artificial intelligence and smart sensor integration. AI-PRO supports the transition toward intelligent, data-driven manufacturing in industries like food production, where product texture and consistency hold crucial importance. This is achieved with a strong emphasis on real-time process insights.

Leading investors in technology and industrial innovation provide support to Incipientus. A key funding round was led by Butterfly Ventures in 2023, with Seven District and Marinvest co-leading. As an early-stage investor and incubator, GU Ventures AB has also played an instrumental role during the company’s growth phase.