Anyone who wanted to experience the future of thermal food processing live could not miss VETEC ANLAGENBAU at IFFA 2025. In Hall 8.0 / Booth C90, the internationally operating family business presented tried-and-tested technologies for drying, smoking, cooking, cooling and maturing as well as new developments for customized, resource-saving and hygienically safe process management, in line with the motto “We build your solution”. It became clear that the industry’s most pressing issues not only concern technical details, but also operational realities, from the shortage of skilled workers to rising energy prices.
Increasing complexity requires intuitive operating concepts
In many production companies, the pressure to control processes efficiently and error-free despite limited personnel resources is growing. At the leading international trade fair, VETEC ANLAGENBAU presented pioneering installation systems for processing meat, pet food and alternative proteins that focus specifically on simple handling and process reliability in the field of digitalization. “Many customers today want practical and efficient solutions that help them in their everyday lives. That’s exactly what we deliver,” confirms Andreas Sauer, Managing Director Sales at VETEC ANLAGENBAU. “With program selection by barcode or RFID, we prevent operating errors because the system specifies what is to be done. That provides safety.”
Barcode and RFID in combination for maximum transparency and security
The integration of barcode scanners and RFID technology makes a significant contribution to seamless traceability and process reliability. While barcode systems are used for batch tracing – for example, to document in the in-house visualization software MICROMAT ANALYZER when and where a product was delivered, processed, loaded or cooked – RFID chips enable automatic program selection: each chip contains product-specific information that automatically starts the appropriate process program when read by the system. This not only minimizes manual intervention and operating errors but also saves valuable time and reduces downtime. Customers’ existing card and tag systems can be seamlessly integrated.
“Our systems adapt to the customer, not vice versa. This means that the switch remains trouble-free and is accepted,” continues Sauer.
Staff shortages inevitably lead to automation
To offer economical solutions to the global shortage of skilled workers in production, VETEC ANLAGENBAU was able to present a wide variety of automatic loading, transport and unloading systems in close cooperation with automation partners at this year’s IFFA. System solutions tailored to the product and capacity are developed.
Efficiency meets system flexibility
Considering rapidly rising energy costs, many food processing companies are focusing on optimizing thermal processes. VETEC ANLAGENBAU meets this need with solutions that can significantly reduce the energy input per batch through precise air flow, shorter process times and reduced weight losses – without compromising on product quality or on hygienic requirements.
In Frankfurt, the company presented, among other things, the AEROMAT CROSS POWER hot smoking system with cross-flow technology, which enables uniform drying with double trolley loading. “It’s all about using energy in a targeted and low-loss way,” explains Sauer. “Less overdrying means less weight loss. This has a direct impact on economic efficiency.”
Maturing technology also requires flexibility – for example, when different production batches run in parallel or room conditions change quickly. VETEC ANLAGENBAU presented the CLIMAMAT TWIN and CLIMAMAT HIGH CUBE climate-controlled maturing systems, which are both characterized by separate process rooms and compact designs and thus cover a wide range of requirements.
Sustainable exhaust air purification with a system
The desire for environmentally friendly technology was also clearly noticeable in 2025. The ECO AIRCLEAN F is an innovative biofilter system that works without chemicals and uses biological processes based on wood chips. “For us, sustainability starts with practicality,” says Sauer. “The system is low-maintenance, durable and reduces CO2 emissions. And without any additional effort for the operator.”
A trade fair presence with a clear mission
“IFFA 2025 showed us once again that our customers are not looking for off-the-shelf solutions but want to gain customized installation systems tailored directly to their product,” summarizes Timo Krüger, President at VETEC ANLAGENBAU. “With our customer center, AI-supported flow simulations and professional project management, we offer all the prerequisites for achieving the best possible results in the end.”
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