GEA and RebelDot, a leading Romanian technology company, are forming a strategic joint venture to accelerate digital transformation in the global process industry. The joint venture – named “RebelDot Process Industries” will be headquartered in Cluj, Romania, and will launch in January 2026. The new company will focus on delivering specialised software development services – including web, mobile, and AI solutions – tailored to the needs of industrial customers.
The joint venture combines GEA’s deep process industry expertise with RebelDot’s excellence in software engineering to help process industry and mechanical engineering companies accelerate the development, scaling, and operation of their digital solutions. Customers will benefit from shorter product time-to-market, greater development efficiency, and cost-effective operations through modern DevOps practices. GEA has also assigned a dedicated software engineering team at RebelDot to collaboratively develop Artificial Intelligence solutions. This includes the GEA Copilot®, which acts as an assistant for customers’ maintenance teams to fulfill their service tasks.
RebelDot is one of Romania’s most dynamic technology companies, headquartered in Cluj-Napoca, a major European tech hub. The company achieved 40 % growth in both revenue and headcount in 2024, now employing more than 300 professionals.
RebelDot enjoys a strong reputation among young tech talent and maintains close ties with the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. Through the acquisition of a specialist AI firm, RebelDot has also expanded its expertise in artificial intelligence, enabling the joint venture to support OEMs in exploring AI-driven applications and solutions.
GEA operates a large industrial cloud platform in the process industry – the GEA Cloud®, which connects more than 10,000 units of process equipment worldwide. The collaboration with RebelDot enables faster development cycles, greater agility, and access to specialised expertise, building on GEA’s open-source software strategy. Earlier in 2025, GEA became a member of the Eclipse Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation supporting open-source software collaboration and innovation. Both GEA and RebelDot Process Industries will develop open-source-ready code and actively contribute to the process industry software community.
One example is project “Sealman”, which provides an open-source IIoT connectivity stack to machine builders. It helps OEMs focus on developing digital customer solutions while standardising and simplifying equipment connectivity to their own cloud systems. Building on this open and collaborative approach, the new joint venture becomes an ideal partner for OEMs and industrial companies looking to develop scalable, future-proof software for an open digital ecosystem in modern production environments.
Döhler, a world-leading producer and provider of natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions, has announced a joint venture with FGF Trapani, a renowned specialist in citrus farming and processing. This partnership aims to revolutionise the use of citrus fibres as natural texturisers in food and beverage applications. Thus, customers get access to premium, cost-effective and minimally processed citrus fibre solutions that address market trends for healthier and environmentally friendly ingredients.
Döhler’s extensive experience in natural ingredients and ingredient systems as well as their application in F&B, combined with FGF Trapani’s lifelong heritage and expertise in citrus farming and processing, provides innovative alternatives to traditional hydrocolloids that excel in gelling, thickening and stabilising applications. As key provider in the F&B industry, Döhler now expands its product range with an advanced portfolio of citrus fibres that is developed for high-performing product textures, enhancing both consumer appeal and product differentiation.
Focus on customer benefits and application expertise
Customers all over the world will benefit from this collaboration having direct access to high-quality and minimally processed citrus fibres. In response to the increasing demand for health-promoting ingredients, this collaboration provides natural fibres that support dietary goals, including fibre enrichment and reduced use of artificial additives. This empowers brands to develop products that cater to health-conscious consumers.
The joint venture’s citrus fibres offer versatile applications across various product categories, from beverages and dairy to bakery and sauces. This versatility allows manufacturers to innovate across their portfolios, creating new and exciting products with improved texture, mouthfeel and health promoting claims.
Strategic benefits of vertical integration and sustainability
FGF Trapani’s production facility, strategically located in one of the world’s largest lemon-growing regions, ensures a reliable supply of premium raw materials. By processing citrus fibres directly from fresh lemon peels, the joint venture guarantees access to a pectin-rich product that combines the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibres. This vertical integration allows for maximum quality control and sustainability throughout the supply chain, supporting the production of highly functional ingredients that meet stringent industry standards.
With a focus on sustainable production practices, the partnership delivers environmentally friendly citrus fibres that align with consumer values. By utilising by-products of citrus processing, this initiative is contributing to a more sustainable food and beverage production.
Meeting consumer demand for healthier and organic ingredients
The joint venture between Döhler and FGF Trapani is timely, as consumers increasingly demand cleaner, minimally processed and organic-quality ingredients. Citrus fibres, derived from natural raw materials, are well-aligned with these market trends, offering a functional and sustainable ingredient that meets the needs of health-conscious consumers.
Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, BENEO and Puratos collaborate with Belgian farmers to launch joint Climate Farming Project
Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, a beet sugar producer, BENEO, a leading manufacturer of functional ingredients, and Puratos, a global leader in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients, have joined forces to launch a pioneering Climate Farming Project. The ambitious initiative supports Belgian farmers in implementing more sustainable farming practices and promotes regenerative agricultural principles that contribute to enhancing soil health and reducing environmental impact.
Addressing climate change and ensuring resilient farming practices is crucial to meet the demands of future generations. The project partners recognise that this requires collaboration between the agricultural sector and the food industry. Empowering farmers through training and stimulating the exchange of knowledge are key components of this joint commitment.
The project is already underway and will run until 2025, involving 15 pilot farms across Belgium. Together, they will cultivate sugar beet, wheat and chicory according to various regenerative farming methods in an area equivalent to the size of more than 1,100 football fields.
Throughout the project, farmers will work on specific farming measures. This includes strategies such as reducing mineral nitrogen fertilization and pesticide use through more organic means and enhancing biodiversity by planting flower strips and hedges next to the fields. Improving the biomass of cover and catch crops that are planted after the main crop harvest will also reduce soil erosion and enhance soil fertility and biodiversity in agroecosystems. In addition, it will aim to reduce the tillage and soil work to different degrees as a measure to combat erosion. These efforts are supported by the localised application of mineral fertilisers, the use of organic fertilisers, biopesticides and the early sowing of multi-species catch crops.
At the outset, the Climate Farming Project engaged in a comprehensive diagnostic phase using a farm assessment tool called Greencard. This initial evaluation was crucial in setting measurable objectives and selecting appropriate regenerative agriculture practices, which could then be implemented in subsequent phases. The results can be used to expand these practices to other farmers working with BENEO and Raffinerie Tirlemontoise.
Fabrice Flamend, a farmer from Eghezée, Belgium, and member of the Climate Farming Project, shares his perspective: “It is clear that the agricultural sector must move towards a more regenerative approach. While there are many ideas on how to achieve this, involving farmers and their expertise from the field in these discussions is vital. We need to uncover feasible techniques where factors such as soil condition, crops, equipment and profitability can be taken into account. This is why I am excited to be part of the Climate Farming Project. It provides a platform to exchange know-how and experience between farmers, and the companies that process our crops. Through the Climate Farming Project, we can work together on solutions that will future-proof agriculture.”
Through this partnership, Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, BENEO and Puratos underscore their shared commitment to sustainable farming practices and the pursuit of innovative solutions, all while respecting the needs of farmers and future generations.
REBBL®, the original organic and plant-powered functional beverage brand, launched WELLNESS, its debut line of juice-based functional beverages and the first juices ever made with Aquamin™ calcified sea algae – a super ingredient clinically proven to support bone, joint and gut health¹. Offered in two refreshing varieties, Tropical Greens and Berry Roots, both WELLNESS juices are available at Whole Foods Market locations in the US.
REBBL WELLNESS packs a punch with 4,700 mg of Aquamin™ calcified sea algae to deliver over 73 essential minerals in every bottle. Derived from red algae, Aquamin™ offers a range of research-backed benefits, from improving digestive health and gut microbiome to helping combat inflammation to support joint and bone health.
Ideal any time of day for delicious hydration, WELLNESS juices are formulated without added sugar and are light and refreshing while supporting immunity-boosting nutrition with 100 % organic fruits and greens.
WELLNESS Benefits:
Supports gut, bone, and joint health*
Calcified sea algae from Aquamin™
Organic and non-GMO
Vegan and gluten-free
80 calories or less
No added sugar
No artificial flavours
Zinc for immune support
WELLNESS Tropical Greens
Made with only the highest quality ingredients straight from the source, a blend of tropical fruits, including pineapple, orange, passionfruit, nutrient-dense spinach, and cucumber with a twist of lime, delivers a bright and refreshing taste any time of day.
WELLNESS Berry Roots
Formulated with zinc gluconate to support immunity, Berry Roots offers a blend of antioxidant-packed blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry with beets and carrots that produces a sweet, revitalising flavour with nourishing benefits.
¹Published research: McClintock et al, 2020, Attili et al., 2019, Aslan et al., 2019, McClintock et al., 2018
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
