GEA Launches Varipond C to Revolutionize Centrifuge Separation with 30% Energy Savings and Enhanced Process Flexibility Across Multiple Industries

GEA Launches Varipond C to Revolutionize Centrifuge Separation with 30% Energy Savings and Enhanced Process Flexibility Across Multiple Industries

(IN BRIEF) GEA’s new Varipond C is a breakthrough solution for decanter centrifuges that offers simple, rapid, and precise adjustment of the separation zone and pond depth. This technology is designed to consistently deliver high product yields and quality in industries such as beverages, food, edible oils, and refineries by optimizing separation processes even under fluctuating feed conditions. Varipond C can be adjusted manually or automatically via a servomotor, providing unmatched flexibility and efficiency without interrupting production. Its food-grade design supports full CIP cleaning and integrates with hydrohermetic sealing to reduce oxygen intake, which minimizes product oxidation—an essential feature in the beverage sector. Additionally, with built-in IoT connectivity to GEA Cloud, users can conduct real-time data analysis and store operational recipes for process optimization. The system is applicable across various processes, including the treatment of starch, animal fats, and proteins, and has been successfully utilized in a Colombian refinery to achieve high dry solids content in sludge. Overall, Varipond C represents a significant advancement in energy efficiency and product consistency for industrial separation processes.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 10-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — GEA has unveiled Varipond C, an innovative technical solution for decanter centrifuges that simplifies, accelerates, and refines the adjustment of both the separation zone and pond depth. Engineered to consistently deliver optimal separation, Varipond C is designed to enhance product yield and quality across diverse industries—from beverage, food, and edible oil production to refinery operations. Notably, the system slashes energy usage by approximately 30% in comparison to traditional centripetal pumps. Compatible with all GEA decanters from the CF 3000 to CF 8000 range, Varipond C is built to handle both two-phase and three-phase processes, irrespective of decanter size, making it ideal for operations facing fluctuations in feed conditions, flow rates, or raw material compositions.

In natural production environments, the composition of raw materials can vary significantly due to weather or processing differences, affecting water, oil, and solids content. Varipond C enables the continuous, precise adjustment of the separation zone through either manual control via a handwheel or automated regulation via a servomotor, ensuring the pond depth is optimally set at all times without halting production. This dynamic adaptability guarantees superior separation quality and maximizes both the solid and liquid phase yields.

The design emphasizes energy efficiency with a food-grade build that supports full Clean-in-Place (CIP) cleaning and employs food-grade lubricants, seals, and materials. By reducing friction, the system achieves notable energy savings, while its option to integrate hydrohermetic sealing minimizes oxygen intake, thereby reducing product oxidation—a critical benefit for the beverage industry.

Moreover, Varipond C integrates seamlessly with GEA Cloud through an installed IoT gateway. This connectivity allows comprehensive process optimization by providing real-time and historical data analysis via dashboards, enabling users to fine-tune settings for different feed conditions and store operational recipes and guidelines for consistent application.

Varipond C finds applications in various sectors, including the processing of two-phase or three-phase wheat starch, animal fats and proteins, olive oil extraction, production of vegetable-based drinks, fruit juice processing, and the treatment of oily water, sludge, and refinery oil water. One notable example is its use in a Colombian refinery, where two ATEX-certified CF5000 decanters equipped with Varipond C achieved a sludge dry solids content of up to 60 percent by weight. With Varipond C, GEA ensures that separation processes are adaptable, efficient, and capable of maintaining high product quality under varying conditions.

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 revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2024 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 MDAX, 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.

Media Contact:

Lilian Schmalenstroer
Phone: +49 211 9136209
pr@gea.com

SOURCE: GEA