Avure has created a range of high-pressure processing (HPP) systems, which kill germs and sterilise products by subjecting them to ultra-high pressure purified water in controlled conditions. Through its acquisition, JBT was “expanding its ‘clean label’ solutions for fresh, flavourful foods and beverages with a longer shelf-life”, it announced in a statement.
At very high pressures, bacteria such as listeria, E.coli, and salmonella are inactivated. Foods using HPP include ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meats, ready meals, fruits and vegetables, juices and smoothies, soups and sauces, wet salads and dips, dairy products, seafood and shellfish.
“With the expanding marketplace adoption of HPP technology, as well as broad applications across protein and liquid foods… we can now offer comprehensive thermal and non-thermal preservation solutions to global food and beverage producers,” explained Steve Smith, president, JBT FoodTech.
Market ‘leaders’
“We’ll add our global salesforce and responsive aftermarket support to the development and installation of these HPP systems to create best-in-class lines for our customers.”
Avure chief executive officer Jeff Williams said: “Our two companies are the leaders in their respective markets and have complementary capabilities and similar cultures with a strong commitment to employees, community and customer satisfaction.
“Our customers will benefit from a broader product offering and enhanced global support of the Avure product line.”
The deal is the latest in a recent string of acquisitions made by JBT, which bought Tipper Tie for US$150m in October 2016 and Cooling and Applied Technologies for US$90m in September 2016. It also bought Novus X-Ray in February last year.
JBT specialises in food and beverage processing solutions ranging from cooking, frying and chilling to portioning, sorting, weighing and grading in the protein market. It also offers mixing, blending, filling, closing and sterilisation services in the liquid foods market.
GlobalMeatNews will host the Food Safety Forum: Powerful Packaging, sponsored by Avure Technologies and Fortress Technology on 23 March. Find out more information about the free, editorially-led webinar here.