GEA has broken ground on an €80 million freeze‑drying system production center in Elsdorf, Germany, following partial approval in July 2025. Covering 40,000 m², the “Factory of the Future” allows early‑stage assembly of critical product chambers and freeze‑dryers while construction continues. Designed for injectable‑drug and vaccine manufacturing, the facility incorporates solar power, waste‑heat recycling, green roofs, and intelligent digital operations. Full relocation from Hürth—including manufacturing, storage, laboratories, and offices—is planned for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Responding to a rising global need for advanced lyophilization equipment, GEA is channeling €80 million into a cutting‑edge pharmaceutical technology hub in Elsdorf, North Rhine‑Westphalia. After securing partial 
planning consent in July 2025, the 40,000 m² campus—dubbed GEA’s second “Factory of the Future”—is already welcoming its first core components. Product chambers, the vessels where vacuum freeze‑drying occurs, have arrived, and the initial freeze‑dryers are now being set up, even as construction progresses elsewhere.
This purpose‑built center specializes in manufacturing systems essential for producing injectable medications, including vaccines. By relocating its Hürth operations to Elsdorf in phases, GEA avoids later logistical bottlenecks: “early access” approval allows assembly teams to begin work immediately in completed zones. The comprehensive transfer of production lines, warehousing, laboratories, and administrative offices is slated for Q4 2025.
Sustainability and digital innovation lie at the heart of the Elsdorf site. A rooftop photovoltaic installation will generate green electricity on‑site, recycled waste heat will feed back into the process, and green roof zones will foster biodiversity and a healthier workplace. Integrated warehouse‑management software and end‑to‑end digital workflows promise leaner, more transparent production cycles.
