JBT Marel Launches New Sterilization Technology for Food Packaging that Reduces Times and Improves Sustainability

Technology company JBT Marel has introduced a new Efficient Agitation (EA) Retort sterilization system, a patented solution that combines the best of static processing with linear agitation, offering more efficient and versatile preservation alternatives for a wide range of packaging formats.

Aimed especially at producers of ready-to-eat and ready-to-drink (RTE and RTD) foods and beverages, this new retort is designed to adapt to delicate or complex packaging such as pouches, cups, tubs, and glass jars. Thanks to an innovative trapezoidal motion profile, the EA Retort improves mixing during the sterilization process without sacrificing the thermal uniformity of the traditional Steam Water Spray (SWS) system. This reduces cooking times and the use of brine, resulting in fresher products, lower resource consumption, and greater sustainability.

Its main features include:

• Uniform linear agitation, which guarantees homogeneous cooking in each batch.
• Adjustable agitation profiles, adaptable according to the type of product and packaging.
• Significant reduction in cycle time, which increases production yield.
• SuperStatic technology, which shortens heating time by up to 30% and cooling time by 34%.
• Compact design with vertical door, which allows better use of floor space.

The JBT Marel team offers laboratory tests and personalized technical advice to demonstrate the performance of the new system in complex sterilization applications.

The solution is part of JBT Marel’s Diversified Food & Health division, focused on technologies for fresh, healthy, and sustainable foods, with special attention to clean label products, beverages, and plant-based proteins.