Ross Industries Inc., a U.S.-based supplier of food processing and packaging solutions, will present its SEPAmatic line of soft belt separation machines at the 2025 EATS Expo in Chicago. The equipment, designed for gentle and efficient separation of natural food compounds, has gained recognition for maintaining product integrity across a wide range of applications.

SEPAmatic’s soft belt separator technology employs a perforated drum rotating against a natural or synthetic rubber belt. As the unprocessed material enters the drum, pressure gradually increases, forcing the softer components through the perforations while harder particles are expelled. The process avoids grating, grinding, or heating, allowing the soft product to retain its natural fiber structure and achieve a granular texture suitable for sausages, patties, or minced fruit.

“SEPAmatic separators are incredibly versatile machines,” said Brian Nicholas, marketing specialist at Ross Industries. “Processors use them on meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables. Even product rework situations such as separating sausage from casing or cheese from its plastic rind.”

The technology also enables processors to recover valuable protein from by-products such as sinew, membrane, fat, and bone—helping to maximize yields and reduce food waste.

Ross Industries will display the SEPAmatic 4000 and SEPAmatic 100 models at booth #2512, offering live demonstrations upon request. The showcase coincides with the company’s new distribution partnership with Modernpack Hoppe GmbH, under which Ross Industries becomes the exclusive distributor of SEPAmatic soft belt separators in the United States.

“Our cooperation with Modernpack Hoppe and the addition of the SEPAmatic soft-belt separators is a natural fit with our existing product line,” Nicholas added. “SEPAmatic’s technology aligns perfectly with our commitment to maximizing processor yields and minimizing food waste. We are excited to represent these machines to the U.S. market and look forward to the value they will bring to our customers.”