During Petfood Forum Europe 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, Magnus Jochumsen, senior project and sales manager at GEA Process Engineering, will present on optimizing pet food freeze-drying processes. His session, scheduled for Monday, May 11, will examine engineering advancements in freeze-drying technology.
"The most important takeaway for this session is the growing value of gentle processing and minimizing additives in pet food," Jochumsen said. "As consumer expectations shift toward transparency and trust, producers must demonstrate that their processing technologies preserve the integrity of raw materials rather than compromise them."
The presentation will cover energy optimization techniques to minimize thermal losses and enhance heat transfer efficiency, design strategies that enable higher throughput and consistent product quality, and process automation solutions that meet food safety standards while simplifying cleaning and maintenance.
Freeze-drying benefits
Jochumsen noted that freeze drying delivers long shelf life while maintaining nutritional value, natural aromas and overall quality of raw materials in raw foods, kibbles and treats. The technology also reduces the need for additives, aligning with premiumization trends and rising demand for minimally processed products.
GEA has supported the pet food freeze-drying sector for more than a decade, said Jochumsen. The company's newest development, the RAY Plus freeze dryer, delivers up to 30% more capacity, improves energy efficiency and reduces internal pressure losses by nearly 50% through optimized flow design and dual-sided vapor traps.
"For our customers, this means more reliable, hygienic and cost-effective production — key advantages in a market where premiumization and gentle processing continue to accelerate," Jochumsen said.
The future of freeze drying in pet food
Looking ahead, Jochumsen identified several developments likely to shape the pet food space: continued premiumization of products and ingredients, increasing focus on trust and transparency, growth of new market entrants and localized production, and stronger product differentiation as brands compete to stand out.
"These trends will push producers to adopt technologies and processes that can clearly demonstrate quality, integrity and authenticity," he said.
To learn more Petfood Forum Europe, view the agenda or register, click here.
Registration at Petfood Forum Europe, co-located with Interzoo 2026, includes a full day of educational presentations, multiple networking coffee breaks, lunch and a networking reception. Registration for Interzoo 2026 is included with the fee to attend.
Petfood Forum Europe is organized and hosted by Petfood Industry. Both are owned by WATT Global Media.
