GEA opens testing facility for slicing and packaging

On 20 March, GEA opened the doors to the new 1500 m² Technology Center (XLAB) of its Slicing & Packaging Business Unit in Biedenkopf-Wallau, Germany. The XLAB is now available for product testing and training purposes.

Mortiz Krunke, Managing Director of GEA’s Wallau site, said the centre is open after a six-month construction phase.

“A special feature is the new 500 m² air-conditioned hall, which can be cooled down to freezing point and enables customer tests under realistic conditions,” Krunke said.

In its opening week, workshops on automation, digitisation, sustainability, training and performance support will be available, as well as plant tours and live demonstrations of the slicing and packaging line, SmartPacker and CutMaster. Individual machines and digitalised production lines are also on display on the exhibition floor, alongside the business unit’s entire product portfolio. The portfolio includes thermoforming and vertical packaging machines; high-speed cutting and loading systems for meat, sausage, ham/bacon, cheese, frozen foods and vegetables; and highly flexible bowl cutters for the production of sausages, cheese, fish and meat substitute products. Solutions for the production and packaging of lollipops and other confectionery and food products are also available.

“Our new Technology Center underscores our partnership-based customer relations on a national and international level. Together with our customers we develop tailored solutions that will play a decisive role in the technological transformation of the respective production area,” said Jörg Kuhn, Vice President of the Slicing & Packaging Business Unit.

Image credit: GEA.