GEA, a leading providers of process technology, will present the GEA kytero® 2000 Single-Use Separator equipped with a Rockwell Automation control system at this year’s Automation Fair, Rockwell’s annual event taking place in Chicago, Illinois, from November 17–20, 2025. As a gold-level OEM member of the Rockwell PartnerNetwork™, GEA is strengthening its collaboration with Rockwell by offering full compatibility between the kytero® 2000 and Rockwell’s latest hardware and software suite.
The GEA kytero 2000, already widely adopted for medium- to large-scale biopharmaceutical production, is now fully integrated with Rockwell Automation technologies, including FactoryTalk Optix. This cloud-enabled, open, and scalable platform supports human-machine interfaces (HMI), connectivity, and data visualization. FactoryTalk Optix allows users to build industrial applications directly in a web browser and supports IIoT capabilities, edge computing, and multi-user collaboration. By enabling data integration from multiple sources and remote access from any location, the platform increases operational transparency and efficiency.
High yields and proven technology
The GEA kytero 2000 delivers reliable single-use disc separator performance for production-scale bioprocessing. It handles mammalian cell cultures at throughputs of 150 to 500 liters per hour and E. coli at 30 to 120 liters per hour. The system achieves yields of over 99 percent when separating mammalian cells. Its compact, mobile “plug & produce” design minimizes space requirements and eliminates the need for CIP or SIP procedures, as all product-contact components are single-use.
Seamless digitalisation and modular integration
Full compatibility with Rockwell Automation solutions enables streamlined operations and enhanced data visualization through FactoryTalk Optix. Users also benefit from cloud connectivity and advanced analytics offered by FactoryTalk® Analytics™ and GuardianAI™, which provide real-time drive performance insights and process optimization. The kytero 2000 supports the open automation standard Module Type Package (MTP), enabling simple “plug & produce” integration into existing production environments. Combined with digital twin and augmented reality tools from EPLAN, customers gain real-time access to design data, simplified commissioning workflows, and improved maintenance capabilities.
Strengthening partnership and customer value
“The compatibility of the GEA kytero 2000 with Rockwell Automation solutions enables our customers to operate GEA separators with maximum efficiency, scalability, and digital connectivity,” says Dieter Hille, Senior Director Product Management Automation & Digital Product at GEA.
Featured at Automation Fair 2025
Visitors to Automation Fair 2025 can explore the GEA kytero® 2000 with Rockwell control systems in the Life Science section of the Industry Pavilion focused on OEM – Machine Builders. Attendees will experience firsthand the benefits of a fully integrated single-use centrifuge designed for medium- to large-scale biopharmaceutical production.
- Background: GEA kytero® 2000 – Key Facts
- Ideal for bioreactors up to 2,000 liters
- Suitable for fed-batch harvesting and highly productive perfusion processes
- Compact dimensions: 1,220 × 960 × 1,810 mm (48 × 37.8 × 71.2 inches)
- Biocontainment-safe, contactless breezeDrive® system
- Requires only standard power and compressed air—no additional supply lines needed
