Safe solutions for hygienic processes.
In the manufacture of food and beverages, the focus is on hygiene, precision and process reliability to ensure reliable processes, consistent quality and the protection of sensitive products.
Foodstuffs and beverages have stringent requirements for process reliability, hygiene and quality. Processes such as fermentation, pasteurization, homogenization, mixing and filling help to improve shelf life and compatibility. A hygienic plant design is crucial for avoiding cross contamination.
At the same time, the requirements for flexibility, automation and precision are increasing, especially in the filling process. Products with sensitive ingredients or fruit fibres require aseptic and gentle processes to preserve product integrity, quality and taste.
Filling is a key process in food and beverage production and is crucial for the final product quality, shelf life and food safety. Whether liquids, viscous products or beverages containing fruit, every type of content requires gentle, hygienic handling. Aseptic processes, precise dosing and flexible plant ensure that products are filled without contamination and that the stringent requirements of manufacturers and consumers are met.
The requirements for flexibility, productivity and hygiene are increasing in the area of fluid filling applications. Different media and container shapes demand innovative, universally applicable solutions. Precise, aseptic filling of sensitive contents is a major challenge for manufacturers .
With the pioneering GEMÜ filling valve platform based on PD technology, GEMÜ F40 and F60 are opening up new opportunities for hygienic and aseptic filling processes.
Circular fillers for fruit juices have to meet high standards of precision and hygiene. Different fill volumes, gentle filling and the prevention of foam formation are particular challenges.
With two-stage filling using the GEMÜ 660 model of diaphragm valves, which first fill slowly, then quickly and finally at a low filling speed, GEMÜ offers a reliable, hygienic and flexible solution for consistently high-quality filling results.
Filtration in the foodstuff and beverage industries is crucial for ensuring product quality and food safety. By choosing the right filtration method – whether mechanical, membrane-based or sterile – a wide variety of fluid components such as micro-organisms, suspended matter or other particles that need to be removed can be effectively eliminated. The choice of process depends on the particle size, the viscosity of the product and the objectives of filtration, such as clarity, sterility or nutrient preservation.
During sterilization, micro-organisms and heat-resistant spores are killed by heating to 121 °C and 1 bar pressure. This process is carried out either on liquids using a continuous process (HTST/UHT) followed by aseptic filling, or in the finished packaging, such as cans, jars, bags or bottles – in this case, this is referred to as pasteurization, which gives these products a long shelf life. Liquid foods such as juices or milk drinks, as well as solid foods, benefit from reproducible, hygienic processes that are precisely controlled with suitable valves and fittings, whereby taste and nutrients should be affected as little as possible.
Pasteurization is a thermal process in which food and beverages are heated to a defined temperature for a specific period of time in order to kill pathogenic micro-organisms and extend shelf life. It is used in dairy products, fruit juices, ready-made meals and pre-packaged beverages and foods, ensuring food safety without significantly altering nutrients or taste. Effectiveness depends on temperature, exposure time, product composition and the number and type of micro-organisms present. Modern plants ensure hygienic conditions, complete draining, cleaning and sterilization to reliably guarantee quality and safety.
Utilities such as water, steam, air, cooling and electricity are indispensable resources for food and beverage production. They support the entire production process, from manufacturing and packaging through to product storage. Proper management and optimization of these utilities are crucial for product quality, energy efficiency and cost reduction in production. As hygiene and safety are of paramount importance in the foodstuff industry, utilities must be continuously monitored and maintained to ensure smooth and safe production runs.
Tested quality
Innovative valve technology for perfect hygiene and filling accuracy
GEMÜ's patented sealing system for filling needle and filling tube systems hermetically separates the actuator from the medium, preventing contamination and eliminating the lift effect. The PD technology used in GEMÜ F40 and F60 servoDrive valves ensures maximum hygiene, high filling accuracy and efficient filling processes – ideal for food and beverages, but also for all other liquids used in everyday life.
The advantages for you
PD technology hermetically separates the actuator from the medium. It offers high switching cycles, precise filling accuracy and flexibility for hygienic filling processes.
Using our expertise in multi-port valve blocks, we develop customized solutions for your filling processes – e.g. the combination of filling valves GEMÜ F40/F60 with GEMÜ PC50 iComLine and sensors in one block.
Thanks to their many years of practical experience, our experts can provide you with specific advice on suitable products, configurations and solutions – for an optimally coordinated process and reproducible results.
Our control valves ensure precise fill volumes and fast cycle duties– for reliable filling processes, low operating costs and a high level of reproducibility.
