GEA’s new continuous bacon process increases speed and capacity, taking the ‘batch’ out of bacon production and simplifying creation. The all-in-one solution comes with the option of a fully incorporated smoking stage, offering much shorter process times than a conventional smokehouse.
The system complements GEA’s signature injection machine, the MultiJector 2mm, which injects the brine into the bacon using a dense needle pattern for even distribution and retention. After the smoking step, bacon hardening is handled by GEA’s A-Tec spiral freezer, providing the right product conditions for slicing.
GEA offers complete line solutions for protein products including defrosting, forming, cooking, smoking, brine preparation, injection, tenderising, tumbling and freezing, right through to slicing and packaging. Customers can be assured of stringent process control, which results in consistent, repeatable and premium quality results.
Ham processing
Appearing for the first time at IPPE, GEA will be also be showcasing the OptiSlicer 6000, a high-speed slicing machine designed for standard shaped products such as cooked ham, calibrated sausage, salami and cheese. Various portion arrangements including shingle, stack, zig zag, shaved, interleaved and folded are all possible with this versatile slicer, which slices with pinpoint accuracy, keeping wastage to a minimum.
PowerPak thermoformer
At the packing end, GEA’s highly flexible PowerPak MidSize will also be making its first appearance at IPPE, offering a multitude of thermoformed packaging options for virtually any food item. All well-known package types such as MAP, skin and vacuum packs or sustainable solutions including the GEA FoodTray can be produced on this convenient and reliable machine and units are available for immediate delivery.
Cooking and freezing technology
Freezing solutions include GEA’s ever popular A-Tec Spiral Freezer, a mainstay for food manufacturers all over the world since its launch in 1999. The latest generation of A-Tecs boasts a convenient recirculating clean-in-place system and is capable of 14 days’ continuous operation at up to 7 tons capacity per hour.
