GEA kytero® 2000 now compatible with Rockwell Automation control systems

GEA, one of the world's leading providers of process technology, will present the GEA kytero® 2000 Single Use Separator with a control system from Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, at this year's Automation Fair, Rockwell’s annual event in Chicago, Illinois (November 17–20, 2025). GEA is a gold-level OEM in Rockwell’s PartnerNetwork™ ecosystem. The GEA kytero® 2000, which is already established in medium-to-large-scale biopharmaceutical production, is now fully compatible with Rockwell's latest hardware and software solutions, including FactoryTalk Optix, offering customers an integrated, digitized centrifuge solution. FactoryTalk Optix is a cloud-enabled, open, and scalable platform from Rockwell Automation for human-machine interfaces (HMI), connectivity, and data visualization. It enables the creation of industrial applications via a web browser and supports industrial IoT (IIoT) functions and edge computing. The platform enables collaboration between multiple users, easy access from anywhere, and integration of data from various sources, making operations more transparent and efficient.

GEA kytero® 2000 enables yields of over 99 percent

The GEA kytero® 2000 continues to offer proven single-use disc separator technology for production-scale bioprocessing and processes mammalian cell cultures from 150 to 500 liters per hour and E. coli from 30 to 120 liters per hour, achieving yields of over 99 percent when separating mammalian cells. The compact, mobile “plug & produce” design minimizes space requirements and eliminates the need for CIP (clean-in-place) and SIP (sterilize-in-place) since all product-contact parts are single-use items.

Seamless digitalization and modularity

Integration with Rockwell Automation solutions enables seamless operation and data visualization via FactoryTalk Optix. Customers benefit from unified interfaces, cloud connectivity, and advanced analytics, including FactoryTalk® Analytics™ and GuardianAI™, which enables real-time monitoring of drive performance and process optimization. The GEA kytero® 2000 also utilizes the open automation standard MTP (Module Type Package), which enables “plug &produce" integration into existing production environments. Combined with digital twin and augmented reality solutions by EPLAN, customers gain access to real-time design data, simplified commissioning, and enhanced maintenance operations.

Strong collaboration between GEA and Rockwell Automation

“The compatibility of the GEA kytero® 2000 with Rockwell Automation solutions enables our customers to operate GEA separators with maximum efficiency, scalability, and digital connectivity,” says Dieter Hille, Senior Director Product Management Automation & Digital Product.

Technology on display at Automation Fair 2025 in the “Industry Pavilion, OEM – Machine Builders”

Visitors to Automation Fair 2025 can see the GEA kytero® 2000 with Rockwell controls in the Life Science section of the Industry Pavilion for OEM – Machine Builders and experience the advantages of a fully integrated single-use centrifuge for medium to large-scale biopharmaceutical production.

Background information: Facts and figures about the GEA kytero® 2000

• Ideal for bioreactors up to 2,000 liters
• Fed-batch harvesting and highly productive perfusion operation
• Compact dimensions: 1,220 × 960 × 1,810 mm (Inches: 48‘ × 37,8‘ × 71,2‘)
• Biocontainment-safe, contactless breezeDrive® system
• No supply lines required except standard power and compressed air