"At GEA, we combine innovation and sustainability to lead the transformation of the olive oil sector"

Francisco Plaza, Head of Olive Oil Application at GEA Iberia

GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and technology for the food industry. How does it apply this global experience specifically to the olive oil sector?
GEA brings values such as excellence and responsibility to the olive industry, combined with its passion for engineering innovation and its commitment to sustainable business practices. We have successfully merged our global reach as a multinational company, our strong local presence—which allows us to understand the real needs of the olive oil sector—and our deep and broad knowledge of olive growing.

In a market increasingly demanding quality and efficiency, what advanced solutions does GEA offer to optimize EVOO extraction and processing?
At Expoliva, we recently presented the latest technology for these processes, such as the Direct Drive centrifuge, the olivMaster CF 8,000 decanter, and the new Variopond C decanter function. The Direct Drive is part of GEA’s new generation of centrifuges with Integrated Direct Drive, boasting 96% energy efficiency and reducing downtime by up to 99%. This simple mechanism also allows for fast and easy system changes and significantly reduces noise compared to previous systems. Additionally, the Integrated Direct Drive system reduces the centrifuge size by 35%, resulting in a much smaller footprint and better space utilization in the facility.
The olivMaster CF 8,000 decanter, on the other hand, can process up to 650–700 tons of olives per day. It’s an ideal solution for large oil mills due to its high processing capacity, excellent energy efficiency, and great performance.
Lastly, the new Variopond C decanter function is an add-on that allows GEA decanters to run at full capacity without needing to open the machine to regulate liquid levels. This helps maximize yield in both three-phase and two-phase processes while the machine remains operational.

Sustainability is one of GEA’s pillars. What innovations or technologies are being developed to help oil mills reduce their water, energy, and resource consumption?
As previously mentioned, GEA has developed technologies for oil mills that reduce water, energy, and resource usage. Our commitment to sustainability and the environment led us to develop the “Add Better” label, certified by TÜV. This environmental label identifies solutions—from industrial machines to entire plants—that are significantly more resource-efficient than their predecessors.
Aligned with this commitment, GEA recently unveiled its long-term strategy, Mission 30, aimed at reinforcing our position in key industries such as olive oil by promoting sustainable, profitable growth and generating a positive impact. For us, sustainability is always essential.

Digitalization and automation are gaining ground in the food industry. What role do these tools play in the olive oil production lines designed by GEA?

For years, we’ve focused on designing, installing, and commissioning automation and digitalization projects for oil mills using GEA technology. We believe these tools are transforming the present and future of the industry.
To make olive oil operations more profitable and sustainable, total process control is essential—and this is achievable through digitalization.

We have been installing systems that allow full control of milling, malaxation, decantation, and filtration via user-friendly control panels, providing real-time data, historical records, and process and machinery trends—from the field to the storage tanks—all integrated into one single system.

We’re applying cutting-edge technologies, already proven in other industrial applications, to make a significant leap toward full digitalization in olive oil extraction. The next step is the integration of artificial intelligence.

From a global perspective, what key trends will shape the future of olive oil production, and how is GEA preparing to support producers in facing these new challenges?

At GEA, we believe the future of olive oil production will be shaped by global challenges such as climate change and increased competition. These will demand technologies that improve efficiency—through digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the valorization of by-products to boost profitability in the olive sector.

GEA is fully prepared to provide sustainable solutions for production processes in oil mills and cooperatives around the world, and we will continue working toward this goal.