Every wave starts as a ripple. In Denmark, engineer Peter Espersen believed water could do what compressed air couldn’t: move a valve with more precision, less energy and total control. Ten years, one acquisition and 700+ valves in continuous operation later, that ripple is now part of the GEA VARIVENT® portfolio.
This is the story of GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology, and the people riding the wave it created.
How GEA Hydract® Technology improves hygienic valve performance
Precision & stability
GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology positions valves to within ±0.03 mm. Water’s incompressibility means the valve holds exactly where it’s set, even as process pressure shifts, so processes stay stable and product quality stays consistent, run after run.
Flexibility & digital intelligence
Real-time valve position feedback gives operators full visibility across the line. Paired with advanced diagnostics for condition-based maintenance, it opens the door to production concepts that weren’t possible before, like inline blending and on-demand batching.
Energy-efficiency
GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology reduces the electrical energy required for valve actuation by more than 95% (compared to pneumatic valve actuation). Less compressed air needed, less energy consumed, same performance delivered.
Roll-out across GEA VARIVENT® portfolio
ROI within 5 to 6 years
GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology typically asks for a higher upfront investment than pneumatic alternatives. The total cost of ownership tells a different story: lower energy consumption, reduced compressor demand, less cleaning, less production variability. For many applications, return on investment lands within five to six years, sooner still in greenfield builds that don’t have a compressed-air infrastructure.
