GEA invests EUR 18 million in technology center for alternative proteins in the USA
Source: The DairyNews
GEA is set to invest EUR 18 million (USD 20 million) in a cutting-edge technology center for sustainable alternatives to meat, dairy, seafood, and eggs in the state of Wisconsin, USA, Dairynews.today writes
The new food innovation center, located on the GEA Campus in Janesville, will focus on piloting microbial, cell-based, and plant-based foods. This investment is driven by the increasing demand for industrial-scale production of new food options in the fast-growing U.S. market.
Scheduled for groundbreaking in spring 2024, the 10,000 square-meter facility aims to bridge a crucial gap in the innovation landscape by advancing the development of complementary proteins through state-of-the-art technologies. The center will evaluate processes for new food production on a transferable pilot scale and test production using cell cultures and microbial fermentation, along with upstream and downstream process steps.
The USA, known for promoting sustainable food options through favorable regulations and openness to innovative food technologies, provides a conducive environment for GEA's technology center. Notably, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cell-cultivated chicken meat in 2022, emphasizing the regulatory support for novel food solutions.
Dr. Reimar Gutte, Senior Vice President Liquid and Fermentation Technologies at GEA, highlights the importance of the new food center in driving innovation and overcoming scaling challenges in the industrial production of alternative proteins. Arpad Csay, leading GEA's North American new food business, emphasizes the urgency for scaling facilities like GEA's platform in Janesville to meet the industry's growth demands without significant capital investment from manufacturers.
Beyond testing processes, GEA aims to contribute to the training of biotechnology specialists in the building. The new food experts will facilitate knowledge sharing with other disciplines, creating a collaborative environment for advancements in the biologization of the food industry.
This investment marks GEA's second foray into new food hubs, following the inauguration of its technology center in Hildesheim, Germany, in June 2023, focusing on cell cultivation and fermentation. Positioned as a growth driver within GEA's Mission 26 strategy, the new food sector addresses challenges related to climate change, food security, ethics, and healthy nutrition. GEA continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the food industry with its focus on innovative solutions in response to global megatrends.
Scheduled for groundbreaking in spring 2024, the 10,000 square-meter facility aims to bridge a crucial gap in the innovation landscape by advancing the development of complementary proteins through state-of-the-art technologies. The center will evaluate processes for new food production on a transferable pilot scale and test production using cell cultures and microbial fermentation, along with upstream and downstream process steps.
The USA, known for promoting sustainable food options through favorable regulations and openness to innovative food technologies, provides a conducive environment for GEA's technology center. Notably, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cell-cultivated chicken meat in 2022, emphasizing the regulatory support for novel food solutions.
Dr. Reimar Gutte, Senior Vice President Liquid and Fermentation Technologies at GEA, highlights the importance of the new food center in driving innovation and overcoming scaling challenges in the industrial production of alternative proteins. Arpad Csay, leading GEA's North American new food business, emphasizes the urgency for scaling facilities like GEA's platform in Janesville to meet the industry's growth demands without significant capital investment from manufacturers.
Beyond testing processes, GEA aims to contribute to the training of biotechnology specialists in the building. The new food experts will facilitate knowledge sharing with other disciplines, creating a collaborative environment for advancements in the biologization of the food industry.
This investment marks GEA's second foray into new food hubs, following the inauguration of its technology center in Hildesheim, Germany, in June 2023, focusing on cell cultivation and fermentation. Positioned as a growth driver within GEA's Mission 26 strategy, the new food sector addresses challenges related to climate change, food security, ethics, and healthy nutrition. GEA continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the food industry with its focus on innovative solutions in response to global megatrends.
