Trade press release
GEA presents new continuous process for bacon at IPPE 2024
January 22, 2024
Exhibiting under the banner ‘Excellence in Protein Processing’, food system supplier GEA will once again be welcoming visitors to the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta (US) with its latest innovations. An impressive selection of GEA’s food processing and packaging machines will be showcased, including solutions for slicing, packaging, cooking, freezing and marination. One highlight will be the company’s new continuous line for bacon, details of which will be available at IPPE for the first time.
Continuous bacon line
Visitors to IPPE will have 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 will be 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
Of particular note and appearing for the first time at IPPE, GEA will be showcasing 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 will also be 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 will 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 will also show the latest cooking and freezing technology. A model of the company’s CookStar will be 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 will 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.
GEA at IPPE, Booth C35125
30 January–1 February, 2024
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA
Link landing page: GEA at IPPE 2024
Nicole Meierotto
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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 DAX, 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.
