A wide range of GEA’s food processing and packaging equipment, including options for freezing, frying, slicing, and packing, was on display. A notable feature was the company’s recently unveiled continuous line for bacon, which was made public for the first time at IPPE.
“Our participation in shows like IPPE give us the opportunity to connect directly with customers,” says Azam Owaisi, CEO GEA North America. “The new technologies we showcase provide a variety of innovative solutions based on their business needs in the food industry.”
Continuous bacon line
Visitors to IPPE will had the opportunity to learn about GEA’s new continuous bacon process, which significantly increases speed and capacity, taking the ‘batch’ out of bacon production and simplifying the creation of this ever-popular food. This all-in-one solution comes with the option of a fully incorporated smoking stage, offering much shorter process times than a conventional smokehouse. The system perfectly complements GEA’s signature injection machine, the MultiJector 2mm, which injects the brine into the bacon using a dense needle pattern for even distribution and retention. It was displayed on the stand. After the smoking step, bacon hardening is handled by GEA’s A-Tec spiral freezer, providing the right product conditions for slicing.
Ham processing
GEA presented its new continuous process for bacon at IPPE 2024. (photo: GEA)
Of particular note and appearing for the first time at IPPE, GEA showcased the OptiSlicer 6000, a high-speed slicing machine designed for standard shaped products such as cooked ham, calibrated sausage, salami and cheese. Various portion arrangements including shingle, stack, zig zag, shaved, interleaved and folded are all possible with this versatile slicer, which slices with pinpoint accuracy, keeping wastage to a minimum.
Visitors was able to find out more about GEA’s market leading technology for defrosting, including the efficient ColdSteam T. This is a defrosting tumbler featuring significant reduction in defrosting times and increased yield, due to reduced weight loss from purge. Suitable for use with all types of meat and poultry, the ColdSteam T is ideal for processors looking to retain optimum moisture in their ham prior to marination and brining.
PowerPak thermoformer
At the packing end, GEA’s highly flexible PowerPak MidSize was also be making its first appearance at IPPE, offering a multitude of thermoformed packaging options for virtually any food item. All well-known package types such as MAP, skin and vacuum packs or sustainable solutions including the GEA FoodTray can be produced on this convenient and reliable machine and units are available for immediate delivery.
Cooking and freezing technology
GEA showed the latest cooking and freezing technology. A model of the company’s CookStar was on the stand alongside vital information on cooking technologies. Freezing solutions include GEA’s ever popular A-Tec Spiral Freezer, a mainstay for food manufacturers all over the world since its launch in 1999. The latest generation of A-Tecs boasts a convenient recirculating clean-in-place system and is capable of 14 days’ continuous operation at up to 7 tons capacity per hour. Visitors was also be able to learn about the IVRT Carton Freezer, which can simultaneously handle various product sizes and types in cartons, totes or crates with different chilling and freezing profiles.
GEA offers complete line solutions for protein products including defrosting, forming, cooking, smoking, brine preparation, injection, tenderizing, tumbling and freezing, right through to slicing and packaging. Customers can be assured of stringent process control, which results in consistent, repeatable and premium quality results.
