Better Juice, GEA Group open pilot center for juice manufacturers to test sugar-reduction technology

Image courtesy of Better Juice and GEA Group AG.

Better Juice (Israel), and GEA Group AG (Ahaus, Germany) established a new pilot facility for juice manufacturers to test their sugar-reduction technology. The innovation center, located in Ahaus, Germany, will include the GEA Better Juice Sugar Converter Skid, and is expected to be fully operational by mid-July of 2022.

Better Juice’s enzymatic process converts simple sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) into prebiotic dietary fibers and other non-digestible molecules, while maintaining the full flavor, body, and naturally occurring vitamins and nutrients of the fruit. It can reduce up to 80% of sugars in natural fruit juices and other fruit-based compositions such as purées.

“The pilot center creates a high-tech venue where we can host companies—mainly from European Union, but also from all over the world—to come see, learn, plug in, and actually taste their products after they’ve been recreated with Better Juice process in a workshop environment,” said GaliYarom, co- founder and co-CEO of Better Juice, in a press release. “Here, we can now collaborate with our customers at the test center to strike the ideal balance between a sweet note and reduced sugar content.”

The center will offer lab services for testing all essential analytical parameters with team members from the Better Juice team and GEA engineers on site to accompany and guide visiting companies during their trials.

“Our collaboration with Better Juice cements our foothold in the world of innovation as we work together to make true game-changer impact,” said Sascha Wesely, leader of GEA’s activities in the non-alcoholic beverage business, in a press release. “In return, we bring Better Juice all the corporate and technical support it needs to propel this venture to success.”