New GEA technology center in the USA will develop industry-ready alternatives to meat, dairy, seafood and egg

GEA has begun construction of its technology center for alternative proteins in Janesville, Wisconsin. Scheduled to open in 2025, the center will scale up the production of novel plant-based, microbial, and cell-based foods. Here, GEA aims to support manufacturers in meeting the demand for complementary proteins and ingredients to traditional animal-based products.

“This investment underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability in the food industry,” said Arpad Csay, who leads GEA’s new food activities in North America, at the groundbreaking ceremony on 8 May 2024. The center will house pilot lines for cell cultivation and precision fermentation, bridging the gap between benchtop and commercial production of alternative proteins. “The technology center will offer foodtech businesses a platform to develop and derisk their processes to ensure technological and commercial viability. It helps startups in the sector implement a business strategy that requires little upfront investment. This way, we help accelerate the development of market-ready products.”

Senior GEA representatives have emphasized the importance of this project as an engine for future growth and innovation in the Midwest, a region with a strong agricultural tradition. “Novel food production methods are going to gain prominence in the coming decades," Csay continued. "This development will require a diverse pool of skilled professionals from operators in the plants to bioprocessing engineers designing production systems and scientists pushing boundaries through research and development. Our technology center will help develop this future workforce by educating students and young professionals about the underlying biology and bioprocesses. We are excited to work with community colleges and universities to build these competencies in the region.”

All of the energy needed for the 1,200m2 building will be obtained from renewable sources. For instance, heat pumps and systems powered by electricity will replace the natural gas conventionally used for building technology and process equipment. A ground-mounted photovoltaic system is to generate 290MWh of electricity per year, exceeding the energy requirement by at least a quarter. The surplus energy will be fed into the grid. This photovoltaic system is expandable, so that green energy can continue to be generated when process demands increase in the future. This setup underscores GEA’s strategy to become a net-zero operation by 2040.

The new plant, which will complement an existing production facility in Janesville, underscores GEA’s commitment to innovative, sustainable technologies. It is slated to be fully operational in 2025. By diversifying the industries based locally, the center is expected to strengthen the grassroots economy as well as enhance the region’s attractiveness for collaborative research projects and other services. As a scaling partner for market players in this field, GEA will contribute to reducing the environmental impact of food production and improving food security.

From left to right, the picture shows Sarita Chauhan (Senior Biotechnologist), Tim Barnett (Director Standardized Units Process Support), Mark Curphey (Project Director), Thorsten Heidack (SVP Liquid and Powder Technologies Division, Execution NAM/LAM), Evan Walker (VP Separation and Flow Technologies Division NAM) and Arpad Csay (Senior Director New Food NAM).

(Photo courtesy of Kayla Wolf)