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Global technology group GEA has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Hydract A/S, a Danish specialist in water-hydraulic process valves. The transaction, expected to close by the end of January 2026, marks a significant expansion of GEA's valve portfolio for the beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries.

The acquisition will integrate Hydract's proprietary technology into GEA's Valves & Pumps Business Unit (Division Pure Flow Processing), positioning the company to offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional pneumatic systems.

Sören de Boon, Senior Vice President of the Valves & Pumps Business Unit at GEA, commented on the strategic fit:

Water vs. Compressed Air

Hydract's innovation lies in its use of water-hydraulic actuators rather than compressed air, which is typically supplied by energy-intensive compressors. This shift in actuation medium offers substantial operational advantages:

• Energy Efficiency: significantly reduces energy demand by eliminating the need for compressed air.

  
  

• Precision Control: Unlike binary pneumatic valves, water-hydraulic actuators can be regulated at any intermediate position, enabling stable and precise flow regulation.

  
  

• Process Optimisation: The technology supports continuous inline blending and late product differentiation, accelerating switchovers in batch production.

The technology has already been validated in industrial settings, such as the Carlsberg Brewery in Fredericia, Denmark, where it has contributed to optimising resource usage and achieving sustainability targets.

Strategic Integration

By acquiring Hydract, GEA aims to become one of the few manufacturers capable of offering a consistent alternative actuation technology for both single-seat and double-seat valves. The integration will provide customers with a choice between pneumatic and hydraulic options within a modular valve program, featuring uniform interfaces for engineering, automation, and service.

Peter Espersen, CEO of Hydract, highlighted the scaling potential of the deal: "For Hydract, being acquired by GEA is the next necessary step from technological pioneering to industrial scale... Through GEA, breweries, dairies, and customers in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide will gain access to our actuation technology. This will turn a specialised solution into a key building block in our customers’ efficiency and modernisation projects."