Local press
GEA investing EUR 15 million in Niederahr plant modernization
22 Jun 2023
GEA is investing a total of around EUR 50 million by the end of 2024 in modernizing its two centrifuge plants in Germany. Approximately EUR 15 million will be invested in the Niederahr site and EUR 35 million in the parent plant in Oelde, Westphalia. In Niederahr, GEA has been manufacturing decanter centrifuges for 60 years. These are mainly used in the food technology, chemical engineering and environmental technology sectors. The company plans to drive further growth in its key markets – food, beverages and pharmaceuticals – by investing in more sustainable production processes, digitalization, automation and leading-edge manufacturing technologies.
GEA is modernizing its Niederahr plant in Germany with an investment package of more than EUR 15 million. (Photo: GEA/Julian Poll)
What began 130 years ago at GEA’s Oelde site with the manufacture of the first hand-operated centrifuge for separating milk and cream is now an indispensable feature of state-of-the-art industry. Today, GEA centrifuges are deployed in more than 3,500 different liquid handling processes. Decanter centrifuges from Niederahr are used, for instance, in water treatment, lithium processing, protein extraction as well as the beverage and dairy industries. From electric cars to drinking water supply, from vegan burgers to oat milk – decanter centrifuges are important in many different areas.
GEA has been producing decanter centrifuges at the Niederahr site for over 60 years. These are deployed, for example, in water treatment, lithium processing, protein extraction as well as the beverage and dairy industries. (Photo: GEA/Marcel Häbel)
Success through commitment and the art of engineering
“I am delighted that, with this investment, we are now making GEA’s Niederahr site fit for the decades ahead and broadening our technology leadership in this field,” said Klaus Stojentin, CEO of the GEA Separation and Flow Technologies Division.
“This investment means we will be producing our decanter centrifuges at the Niederahr site in a way that is better for the climate, more efficient and up to the minute,” added Oliver Buchner, Senior Director Supply Chain & Production at GEA in Niederahr. “It is largely thanks to the dedication of our employees that we are able to celebrate our 60th anniversary today and look to the future with confidence.”
Climate-friendly production using renewable energy
The investment package for the Niederahr plant covers four areas: sustainability, digitalization, automation and cutting-edge production techniques. To ensure that its production operations are fit for the future, GEA is modernizing the logistics, mechanical production and assembly/testing. New end-to-end machine centers will speed up complex processes at consistently top production quality. Digitalizing workflows will help accelerate logistics as well as enhance the level of automation in final acceptance testing.
All GEA plants are already powered by green electricity. Ultimately, the power supply at the plant locations will be converted as far as possible to renewable energy generated on site. At the Niederahr site, the feasibility of a large-scale photovoltaic system to cover the plant’s energy needs is currently being explored. Any surplus energy could even be used to produce hydrogen.
End-to-end machine centers like this one speed up complex processes while maintaining consistently high production quality.
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About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology.
With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated sales of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2025 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
