Trade press release
How digitalization is transforming modern beverage processes
April 15, 2026
GEA and Siemens showcase a digital production journey with Cloud, AI, and MTP standard
At this year's Hannover Messe (April 20–24), GEA and technology company Siemens will present a fully digital production journey for modern beverage processes at the Siemens booth (Hall 27, Booth A48). At the core is a digitally animated, end-to-end process line that demonstrates how intelligent system architecture, machine connectivity, and AI-driven data analytics and process optimization work together. Based on real industrial applications, the line maps the key process steps, from raw material handling to filling integration, as used in producing sophisticated beverages, such as cold brew coffee and functional and protein-enriched drinks.
As a process specialist with a broad technology portfolio, GEA will demonstrate how diverse beverage applications can be integrated into a seamless digital value chain. These technologies are developed as “digital natives” to enhance availability, productivity, and resource efficiency across the entire production chain.
Experiencing digital production intelligence at the separator
As part of the overall solution, GEA will showcase the GSX 260 beverage separator as a skid-mounted solution at the booth. The machine is fully integrated into the GEA Cloud and brings GEA’s digital ecosystem to life. The GEA Cloud serves as the central digital backbone, connecting machines and modules via secure edge gateways. It processes operational data intelligently and makes it available for digital applications. Through the GEA Portal and related web apps, users can access clearly organized information at any time from any device. Operational and process data is analyzed in real time and visualized in applications such as performance analytics, energy monitoring, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
Beverage processing separator GEA GSX 260 with integrated Water Saving Unit: This skid is a compact, plug-and-play solution that saves almost all fresh water and can be quickly put into operation. Source: GEA
GEA InsightPartner Separation KPIs provide process and consumption data to support energy-efficient operation. Source: GEA
Open standards for flexible, modular processes
GEA and Siemens both rely on open standards, such as OPC UA and the Module Type Package (MTP). These standards have recently become a well-established, forward-looking approach to modular automation across industries and are being used more and more as a common foundation for modern plant engineering. MTP allows for the vendor-independent, standardized, and semantically consistent description of process module functionalities. This significantly simplifies system integration and reduces engineering effort.
Widespread adoption of these standards increases planning reliability and future-proofing for operators. Production modules can be combined more quickly, capacities can be expanded easily, and plants can adapt flexibly to changing requirements. Thus, MTP is becoming a key enabler for agile, scalable process architectures relevant not only in protein and beverage processing, but also across a wide range of process industries.
Simulation and virtual engineering reduce time to market
Using digital tools such as Siemens’ SIMIT simulation platform and the TIA Portal engineering framework, GEA and Siemens demonstrate how plants and process strategies can be tested virtually before physical implementation, reducing time to market. This combination of digital twin technology, simulation, and real machine intelligence helps companies shorten development cycles, reduce early errors, and execute production projects more reliably.
Further insights into the implementation of standardized machine integration and modular automation will be available both at the booth and on the Siemens Stage during the presentation “From standardized CPG to standardized everything – powered by GEA & Siemens” (April 22, 2026, 12:25–12:40 p.m. CEST, in English).
Lilian Schmalenstroer
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.
