Typical products of the already well-established biochemicals industry include amino acids, citric acid, thickeners such as xanthan gum and carrageenan, yeasts and yeast extracts, starter cultures and technical enzymes.
A major growth area for the biochemicals industry is in the biotechnological production of chemicals and compounds that would traditionally be derived from petrochemicals. Processes have already been developed to produce a range of these platform molecules using renewable resources, which will reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources.
GEA has longstandingexperience in project design and project management for large industrial biochemical plants. We can offer integrated solutions, and complete processing lines for the biochemical industries. Our expertise spans a comprehensive range of process technologies for production, purification and concentration, including:
- Fermentation
- Biomass separation by centrifuges or membrane filtration
- Product isolation and purification by distillation, melt crystallization or membrane filtration
- Concentration by evaporation
- Crystallization and drying of the final product
- Concentration and drying of byproducts by evaporation and drying
GEA’s development centers and global process and technology expertise can support customers in the optimization of their processes and scale up, to derive and implement the most efficient and sustainable processes for biochemicals production.
Traditional and new bio-chemistry
Many chemicals have been produced by biotechnological methods for many centuries. Typical products of this well-established industry are
- Amino acids
- Citric acid
- Thickeners like Xanthan Gum and Carrageen
- Yeasts and yeast extracts
- Starter cultures
- Technical enzymes
GEA has great experience and large number of references in this traditional biochemical industry mainly for
- Concentration of products and byproducts by evaporation
- Biomass separation my mechanical separation or filtration
- Solvent recovery for extraction and precipitation processes
- Product and byproduct drying
Platform bio-chemicals and bioplastic monomers
A new trend in chemical production with promising potential and huge growth rates is the substitution of petrochemicals with biochemical. These so called platform chemicals will create a renewable chemistry in the near future. Processes have been developed to produce different platform-molecules like:
- Succinic acid
- Lactic acid
- 1,2 / 1,4 Butanediol
- 1,2 / 1,3 Propandiol
- Farnesene
- P-Xylene
- Azealactic acid
and many others.
GEA offers Equipment, Technology and Process competence the complete downstream-processing of these substances.
- Cross-flow membrane filtration
- Mechanical separation
- Melt crystallization
- Distillation & Rectification
- Evaporation
- Solution crystallization
- Drying and packaging
The GEA development centers worldwide support our customers to scale up and optimize their processes to maximize process feasibility.
Products & Technologies
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Aseptic valves & components
Aseptic valves face exceptionally high demands within UltraClean and Aseptic processes. You can be assured that they all provide highest quality in terms of hygienic design and sustainability.
Centrifugal Separator
GEA separators are designed for liquid-based applications. Using centrifugal force, they are used for separating suspensions consisting of two or more phases of different densities, i.e. they can be used for liquid-liquid separation, for liquid-liquid-solid separation or for liquid-solid separation. They are equally as effective at separating liq...
Decanter Centrifuge
The decanter’s hour has come as soon as the solids content in the suspension to be processed is particularly high. These machines provide the benefits of high clarifying efficiency and maximum dewatering as well as the separation of liquids with the simultaneous removal of solids. The main requirements in this respect include a high bowl speed, a...
Ejector Systems
Ejectors, are devices for the conveyance, compression or mixing of gases, vapors, liquids or solids in which a gaseous or liquid medium serves as the motive force. They are "pumps without moving parts".
Other applications
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GEA Insights
The breakthrough that changed spray drying
In 1976, NIRO engineers responded to a competitive challenge by rethinking what spray drying could do. Their idea became the multi-stage dryer MSD. Fifty years later, the same fundamental principle helps turn liquids into the powders used in essential nutrition products and important medicines around the world. Refined through decades of engineering expertise, customer insight and continuous development, MSD is a story of innovation with lasting impact.
Beyond the machine: unlocking better plant performance
An efficient machine does not automatically make an efficient factory. Real improvement often starts by looking beyond individual equipment and understanding how processes, energy systems and operating decisions affect one another. It’s a holistic approach designed to uncover opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
How a valve reshapes the way food and drinks are made
In food and beverage plants, valves are commonly operated using compressed air. GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology moves valves with water instead, in a closed, digitally controlled circuit. The result is a valve that can be held exactly in place and steered in fine-tuned steps. This results in lower energy use and greater control.
