GEA equips resource-conserving dairy plant with full range of processing technology

Düsseldorf (Germany), May 27, 2020 - In the first quarter of 2020, the technology company GEA was commissioned by Hochwald Foods GmbH to provide the entire technological setup for dairy processing at a new plant in the German town of Mechernich, near Cologne. The contract comprises the implementation planning, production, delivery, assembly and commissioning as well as the acceptance of all process-related and operational treatment and processing machinery for manufacturing the various dairy products. Hochwald Foods, one of the largest dairy companies in Germany, wants to use the new facility to process roughly 800 million liters of milk per year to produce high-quality dairy products such as UHT milk, UHT cream, UHT drinkable yogurt, mixed milk products with a long shelf life as well as condensed milk. Installation of the first plant components is expected to begin before the end of 2020. The plant is slated to be commissioned in mid-2021.

"We are delighted that Hochwald Foods has placed its trust in GEA and our technology to bring such an important project to life. In all, GEA will deliver, install and commission all plant components for processing dairy products, from milk reception to filling machines. In the planning stages, particular attention was paid to the highly efficient, resource-saving setup of the plant as well as to fully integrating its design into the customer's overall automation concept. GEA's contribution here entails more than just providing its innovative technology for the individual steps in production: Rather, as a comprehensive supplier, it will additionally optimize the entire facility and configure it in an even more sustainable way," said Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft.

"Our aim is to produce high-quality dairy products to the most rigorous technical standards at our new plant in Mechernich. That is why we are looking to long-term, cost-efficient and sustainable solutions. We see GEA as an innovative and reliable partner for our project," explains Thorsten Oberschmidt, COO of Hochwald Foods GmbH.

Corporate Media & Press:
Marc Pönitz
Peter-Müller-Str. 12, 40468 Düsseldorf, Germany
Phone +49 211 9136-1500
[email protected]

About GEA
GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food processing industry and of related industries that generated consolidated revenues of over EUR 4.9 billion in 2019. The international technology group specializes in machinery, and plants as well as process technology and components. GEA provides sustainable energy solutions for sophisticated production processes in various end-user markets and offers a comprehensive service portfolio. The group generates around 70 percent of its revenue in the food and beverages sector that enjoys long-term sustainable growth. As of December 31, 2019, the company employed about 18,500 people worldwide. The company is listed on the German MDAX (G1A, WKN 660 200), the STOXX^(R) Europe 600 Index as well as the DAX 50 ESG Index and selected MSCI Global Sustainability Indexes. More information can be found online at gea.com.

About Hochwald Foods GmbH
Hochwald Foods GmbH is based in Thalfang, Rhineland-Palatinate. Its production facilities in Germany and the Netherlands cover the entire spectrum of dairy products. Hochwald owns well-known brands such as Bärenmarke, Lünebest, Glücksklee, Elinas and Hochwald as well as trademarks and international brands such as Bonny. www.hochwald.de