GEA opens US$20M US center to accelerate alternative protein development

U.S.A – GEA, a supplier of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, has commissioned its new US$20 million Food Application and Technology Center (ATC) in Janesville, Wisconsin. 

The facility is the company’s second global Centre of Excellence, dedicated to alternative proteins and sustainable food solutions as alternatives to traditional foods such as meat, dairy, seafood, and eggs. Its first ATC was launched in Hildesheim, Germany, in 2023. 

The new facility expands the GEA Janesville campus, which has served as a site for production, repair, logistics, and training since 2024.

It runs entirely on renewable energy and supports the region’s economic and technological growth. 

It is designed to help companies bridge the gap between lab innovation and full-scale production of next-generation foods, including those developed through precision fermentation, cell cultivation, and plant-based processing.

“The food industry is at a crossroads. To feed future generations sustainably, we must turn vision into scalable reality. Our new center in Janesville is a key milestone on our shared journey – both for our customers and for us as a company,” says Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA Group. 

Equipped with pilot-scale bioreactors, the ATC simulates industrial conditions to validate and optimize processes early. 

It integrates GEA’s core technologies, thermal processing, aseptic filling, membrane filtration, spray drying, and centrifugation to ensure food safety, product quality, and cost efficiency. 

The center also houses advanced lab facilities for microbiological, cell-based, and analytical testing, all under one roof.

“With this investment, we are helping our customers scale up the production of novel foods such as precision-fermented egg white and cultivated seafood. At the same time, we are strengthening our North American footprint, where our 1,600 employees at 16 locations support manufacturing, sales, service, training, and testing,” Stefan added.

Local collaboration and unlocked opportunities

The ATC creates additional highly skilled new jobs in Janesville, including engineering and scientific roles, and complements GEA’s existing operations in the city, where 74 employees work at the Separation & Flow Technologies facility. 

“This facility reflects how Janesville’s rich agricultural and industrial heritage can intersect with cutting-edge innovation,” said Jimsi Kuborn, Economic Development Director for the City of Janesville. 

The center also supported up to 500 contractor and subcontractor jobs during construction and strengthens the region’s food technology ecosystem.

“It not only honors our community’s roots, but also creates new opportunities for partnerships, workforce development, and sustainable growth. This project is a model for what’s possible, not just for Janesville, but for the entire Midwest and beyond,” Jimsi added.

The facility opens at a time when the U.S. leads the world in alternative protein investments, with Wisconsin poised to play a central role in this next chapter of food innovation. 

The center’s launch highlights the growing convergence of traditional agriculture, advanced biotechnology, and sustainable manufacturing.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.