Trade press release
GEA begins construction of technology center for alternative proteins in the USA
May 13, 2024
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New technology center will develop industry-ready alternatives to meat, dairy, seafood and egg
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The building will operate without fossil fuels, using only renewable energy
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Opening scheduled for 2025
Represented GEA at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the GEA Technology Center for Alterative Proteins in Janesville, Wisconsin: 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), Source: GEA/Kayla Wolf
GEA has begun construction of its technology center for alternative proteins in Janesville, WI (USA). 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 May 8, 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.”
Educational cluster for food technology and the local economy
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. Arpad Csay: “Novel food production methods are going to gain prominence in the coming decades. 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.”
The technology center complements the existing production facility in Janesville and underlines GEA's commitment to innovative and sustainable technologies. Rendering: GEA
Pioneering project aligned with sustainability goals
All of the energy needed for the 1,200-square-meter 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 290 MWh 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.Ongoing commitment to resource-efficient food tech
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.Fanny Foerster
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.
