No one knows exactly when ice cream was invented, although we know that frozen desserts were introduced into the royal courts of England and France during the 16th Century. The ability to produce ice cream as we know it today paralleled the invention of effective cooling and freezing technologies, and the first industrial ice cream production facility was established in Baltimore in 1851.
Look in today’s supermarket freezers and you will find traditional recipes side-by-side with increasingly popular ‘healthy’ options, including non-dairy, plant-based ice creams, frozen yoghurts, and reduced fat/sugar/calorie products are winning consumer favor. Gluten-free, vegan and even probiotic ice creams cater for special diets. It is a highly diverse, truly global market that is broadly expected to reach up to $89 billion by 2025.
GEA knows your business
Winning market share in this highly competitive space means having the flexibility to anticipate and meet new trends head on, develop new recipes and incorporate new ingredients into processes. Your consumers expect authentic flavors, consistently smooth and silky textures, and visually appealing form and color. But manufacturers must also maintain safety, quality, cost-effectiveness and meet sustainability goals. And that means improving energy and resource efficiency, recycling heat and water where possible, and reducing waste.
It is a tall order. It is why the industry worldwide relies on GEA’s knowhow and expertise in ice cream processing, technology and engineering. We configure and install complete process lines for every step of manufacture, from milk and ingredients reception, through to final wrapping, packaging and storage. Our versatile components and equipment are designed to help address key challenges associated with handling and processing multiple and diverse ingredients.
Tailor-made and flexible
From efficient separation, evaporation, homogenization and pasteurization systems to state-of-the-art refrigeration and water-efficient clean-in-place plants, we tailor the best technologies to address your main pain points. User-friendly, enterprise-wide automation software and hardware solutions help to optimize every process line and operating parameter, without tying you in too expensive, complicated service and upgrade plans.
Versatility is key, and flexible plants designed by GEA can be configured to handle perhaps 500 different recipes. Our aim is to help you improve productivity and profitability, reduce delays and bottlenecks and so speed the return on your equipment investment and overall cost effectiveness of your plants.
GEA project specialists work with you to unpick and understand your current and projected future requirements and expectations. We take care of every detail, and always work hard to deliver projects on time, and to budget, however complex. Talk to your local GEA team to find out more.
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.
Belts
Through unique robustness and interlocking design, GEA Q-belt ensures a more reliable stacking system. Our enhanced patented interlocking system ensures robust, more stable stacking and minimize friction between tiers of long belts.
Butterfly valves
GEA Hygienic Butterfly Valves offers the benefits of good hygienic design, higher ease of assembly, shorter assembly and maintenance times and thus higher production uptimes.
Carton Freezers
GEA carton freezers can freeze or chill your food products in cartons, plastic totes or shrink-wrap.
GEA Insights
OptiPartner improves spray dryer performance at MMPA
GEA digital optimization secures significant performance improvement in spray dryer plant at Michigan Milk Producers Association
On the menu: more sustainable eggs
GEA helps customers test and scale alternative egg products and ingredients made with precision fermentation.
Decarbonizing processes with industrial heat pumps
When it comes to improving the health of the planet, GEA takes a leading role. As one of our sustainability-focused strategic objectives, we are forging a path to help our customers across myriad industries to reduce energy use...
