Pilot-scale bioreactor for cell cultivation and fermentation

Scale up your cell cultivation and fermentation processes seamlessly with a flexible bioreactor designed for transitioning from bench-scale experiments to pilot-scale production, enabling precise control and optimization of key parameters crucial for developing innovative food products.

Scales Up Cell Cultivation and Fermentation Processes

The GEA Axenic® P from GEA Group is a pilot-scale bioreactor designed to facilitate the transition from laboratory to industrial-scale cell cultivation and fermentation. This versatile bioreactor is equipped with comprehensive data collection and process optimization features, enabling exact control over conditions vital for producing cultivated meat, precision-engineered dairy products, and fungal mycelium. By emulating conditions similar to industrial environments, it allows for seamless upscaling and testing of new food processes.

With a flexible, fully reusable design, the Axenic® P supports a variety of cell types and configurations, incorporating multiple inlets for media and gas delivery. It is semi-automated for integration into existing setups or to function as a standalone unit. Using a virtual modeling system, it predicts cell behavior during scale-up, ensuring process stability and yield. The system emphasizes sustainability and efficiency, utilizing split range control for oxygen delivery and integrating CIP solutions for minimal maintenance downtime. Suitable for diverse industries such as food and pharma, the Axenic® P meets the evolving demands of R&D in alternative protein and new food production.

Benefits

  • Facilitates efficient scale-up from lab to industrial production, reducing time-to-market.
  • Enhances process stability and yield through precise control of bioreactor conditions.
  • Minimizes resource usage with energy-efficient oxygen delivery and sustainable CIP systems.
  • Adaptable for a wide range of cell types and configurations, supporting R&D flexibility.
  • Streamlines process optimization with virtual modeling, mitigating scale-up risks.

General


Applications
Seafood,Eggs,New foods,Precision-engineered dairy products,Cultivated meat,Alternatives to meat,Dairy,Fungal mycelium
End products
Lab-grown beef,Precision-engineered cheese,Synthetic milk,Egg-free mayonnaise,Mushroom-based protein,Plant-based seafood alternatives,Cultured chicken,Plant-based yogurt
Steps before
Media Preparation,Inoculation,Strain Selection,Upstream Processing,Nutrient Mixing
Steps after
Downstream Processing,Harvesting,Purification,Product Formulation,Packaging
Input ingredients
cell cultures,media,oxygen,gases,cultivated meat precursors,dairy product precursors,fungal mycelium cultures,prokaryotic cells,eukaryotic cells
Output ingredients
cultivated cells,fermentation products,cultivated meat,engineered dairy products,fungal mycelium,bioprocess insights,upscaled cell cultures
Market info
GEA is known for its expertise in engineering innovative and sustainable equipment and solutions, focusing on sectors such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and energy, with a reputation for quality, efficiency, and advanced technological applications in industrial processing.

Technical Specifications


Scale
Pilot-scale
Automation
GEA Codex® automation platform
Data Management
GEA Codex® Historian
Tank Conditions Monitoring
Comprehensive sensor package
Configuration Flexibility
Supports various bioreactor configurations
Oxygen Delivery Control
Split range control technology
Agitator Options
Changeable impellers or bubble column setup
Connectivity
Hoses,inlets/outlets for connectivity
Reusable Components
Autoclavable,integrated CIP
Operating Conditions
Manual adjustments possible
Bioreactor Structure Control
Virtual modeling and digital twin technology
Sustainability Features
Energy efficiency optimization

Operating Characteristics


Integration steps
Media and gas delivery inlets
Automation level
GEA Codex® automation platform
Batch vs. continuous operation
Batch operation
CIP/SIP
Integrated CIP capabilities
Cleaning method
Autoclavable parts and integrated CIP
Energy efficiency
Split range control technology
Virtual modeling capabilities
Digital twin for risk-free modeling
Flexibility and adaptability
Swappable components and configurations

Material Compatibility


Abrasion resistance
Yes
Biological compatibility
Yes
Cleanability
CIP/SIP compatible
Corrosive resistance (e.g. acids)
Yes
Density/particle size
0.5–2.5 g/cm³ / 50–1000 µm

Physical Characteristics


Tank shape and size
Varies,configurable for specific applications
Machine footprint
Compact,adaptable for different setups
Feed/discharge method
Multiple inlets for media and gas delivery
Control panel type
User-friendly,simple design for manual adjustments
Agitator type
Customizable,removable for bubble column use
CIP integration
Integrated CIP,features autoclavable parts

Custom Options


Control panel type
User-friendly,customizable
Integration possibilities
GEA Codex® automation platform
Component interchangeability
Swappable components,including autoclavable parts
System configuration
Standalone or connected to upstream/downstream equipment
Agitation customization
Changeable agitator impellers or bubble column configuration
Delivery method
Manual or automated media and ingredient dosing