Elea PiCon Sense Wins Silver International FoodTec Award 2027 for Real-Time PEF Process Monitoring

Elea Technology GmbH has received the Silver International FoodTec Award 2027 for PiCon Sense, its advanced digital platform for real-time Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) process monitoring and optimisation. The prestigious award recognises outstanding innovation in food technology and highlights Elea's contribution to smarter, data-driven food processing.

Stefan Toepfl, Managing Director of Elea Technology GmbH:

"We are honoured to receive the Silver International FoodTec Award. PiCon Sense represents an important step towards smarter food processing. By combining real-time monitoring with AI-supported analysis, it enables food processors to better understand, optimise and continuously improve PEF performance under real production conditions."

The official award ceremony will take place during Anuga FoodTec 2027 in Cologne, Germany on the 23rd of February.
 

From PiCon Tool to PiCon Sense

The award-winning technology, originally developed and submitted as the PiCon Tool project, is now part of ELEA's PiCon platform and commercially available as PiCon Sense. The solution provides continuous insight into product-specific PEF treatment effects and supports data-driven optimisation of process parameters based on real-time process responses.

Elea Picon sense control panel

Smarter Processing Through Real-Time Monitoring

PiCon Sense brings a new level of intelligence to PEF processing by combining advanced acoustic and vibration monitoring with AI-powered analysis to continuously assess treatment performance and provide actionable insights for process optimisation.

Natural raw materials are constantly changing. Variety, season, dry matter content and storage conditions can all influence how a product responds to PEF treatment. Traditionally, treatment effectiveness is verified through manual testing and routine quality checks.

PiCon Sense Microphone and vibration sensor are installed on the knife and below the cutting head

PiCon Sense transforms this process by continuously analysing acoustic and vibration signals generated during cutting operations, providing immediate insight into treatment effectiveness and process behaviour. By combining precision sensors with intelligent data analysis, the system continuously evaluates treatment effectiveness and provides the information to optimise PEF treatment parameters based on the actual product response. This helps processors maintain consistent treatment performance while reducing the need for manual testing calibration.

Beyond treatment verification, continuous monitoring provides greater process transparency. The technology helps identify unexpected changes in raw material behaviour and potential process abnormalities before they impact production, enabling processors to react proactively and maintain consistent performance.The result is a smarter, more adaptive PEF process with improved efficiency, enhanced transparency and greater confidence in every treatment.
 

Elea at Anuga FoodTec 2027 in Cologne, Germany

From 23rd to 26th February 2027, Elea will be exhibiting at Anuga FoodTec 2027 in Cologne, Germany. Visitors can find the company in Hall 10.1, B-068-C-069, where Elea will showcase its latest innovations in Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology, including the award-winning PiCon Sense solution.

In addition, visitors can learn about the broad range of applications enabled by PEF technology. From French fries, potato chips and fruit processing to wine, olive oil and juice production, PEF continues to unlock new opportunities for improving efficiency, quality and sustainability across the food industry.

Elea demonstrates how PiCon Sense combines process monitoring with AI-supported analysis to evaluate PEF treatment performance

Elea: Global Leader in Pulsed Electric Field Technology

Elea Technology GmbH is the global leader in Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology for the food, beverage and scientific sectors. Its portfolio spans belt, pipe and chain-based PEF systems for industrial applications, a range of pilot systems and PEF optimisation tools. With more than 300 installations worldwide, Elea combines a proven industrial track record with deep application know-how and comprehensive lifecycle service, supporting customers across the potato, vegetable, fruit and beverage industries.