Key Business Outlooks 2026 captures the view of Stefan Toepfl, Managing Director of ELEA Technology, as pulsed electric field technology moves from innovation to structural pillar in potato processing. He explains why efficiency, yield improvement, and resource reduction are no longer optional, how processors are reassessing automation and digital control amid volatile energy and raw-material markets, and why modular PEF systems, validated through real-world pilots and data-backed performance, are shaping investment decisions for a more sustainable and resilient industry.

Looking back at 2025, which customer pressures proved structural rather than temporary, and how did they reshape your commercial or product strategy?

The shift toward sustainable, efficient, and high-quality processing is now fundamental in the potato industry. Our PEF technology is at the heart of this change, helping processors improve product quality, cutting properties, and yield while reducing energy and water use—PEF replaces thermal preheating at just ~10% of the energy and water demand. These gains are immediate and lasting, allowing customers to sustain PEF benefits across their lines. This focus has driven us to invest in modular, scalable systems and expand our service and optimization offerings, so clients can fully realize and maintain long-term advantages. With our move into our new headquarter and Home of PEF in 2025, we now offer upgraded test facilities for even more robust pilot and demonstration options.

As you plan for 2026, which market assumptions are you revising, and where do you see the greatest hesitation or uncertainty among your customers?

We’re adjusting our expectations for digitalization and automation, as customers increasingly seek smart process control—exemplified by our PiCon system and inline tools like PEF Control and Cut Control. Yet, economic volatility and fluctuating raw material and energy prices create uncertainty about the pace of adoption. Varying investment climates and regulatory frameworks also play a role. Still, we believe PEF and related innovations will continue to gain traction as their practical benefits become clear in real-world operations.

How do you expect investment behavior among processors to evolve in 2026, particularly regarding capacity expansion, efficiency upgrades, and automation?

Processors are prioritizing investments that boost efficiency, quality, and resilience. There’s a clear move toward modular, scalable systems like our B Micro, suitable for diverse applications from snacks to freeze drying. Our B1000-850 model, with optimized energy use and improved transport systems, supports higher throughput and reliability. Enhanced remote maintenance, remote operation, and full process logging are now standard, making PEF solutions especially attractive for those seeking a competitive edge in a dynamic market.

Where did your strongest growth opportunities come from recently, and what did those projects reveal about changing customer priorities?

These markets, alongside ongoing projects in Europe and North America, show a clear need for solutions that go beyond equipment supply. Our value solutions—comprehensive support, training, and process optimization—have been decisive. Helping clients adapt to seasonal and varietal changes has delivered measurable financial benefits and reinforced the importance of flexible, full-service partnerships.

How do you balance near-term customer demands with longer-term R&D investment, especially in a more cautious capital-spending environment?

We balance immediate customer needs with long-term innovation by maintaining close dialogue and delivering quick, practical improvements through PEF. At the same time, we invest in next-generation technologies, with recent advances like PiCon and B Micro reflecting this approach. Pilot installations, analytical services, and remote support—now enhanced by our upgraded test hall—help demonstrate real-world value, ensuring clients are ready for future opportunities.

Which developments in 2025 most disrupted your planning or sales pipeline, and how did your organization adapt?

Supply chain turbulence and energy price swings in 2025 delayed several projects and investment decisions. We responded by strengthening local support, expanding remote maintenance, and introducing flexible purchase options—including leasing and service/training contracts—to de-risk adoption for customers. These measures preserved momentum and opened doors in emerging markets where smaller-scale projects gathered pace.

Which external drivers—energy, labor availability, regulation, digitalization, or sustainability requirements—are most influencing equipment purchasing decisions today?

Energy costs, labor shortages, sustainability, and macroeconomic factors are shaping purchasing decisions. In late 2025, low raw material prices sharpened the focus on efficiency. Our PEF systems help processors cut energy use and automate processes, while regulatory trends toward digitalization further influence investment. Notably, in addition to reducing oil uptake PEF reduces starch leakage into process water, extends knife life and reduces energy use in frying, directly improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

From your perspective, which policy or regulatory developments would most support long-term technology investment in the potato processing sector?

Stable, forward-looking regulations that incentivize sustainability, energy efficiency, and digitalization—such as grants or tax credits for validated resource-saving technologies like PEF—would encourage investment. Clear standards and streamlined approvals for inline controls, along with support for research and pilot projects, would further accelerate innovation and keep the sector competitive.

How do you see the relationship between promised technological performance and real-world operational results evolving, and where do customers now demand clearer proof of value?

Processors increasingly demand real-world proof that new technologies deliver results. We offer pilot installations, demonstrations, and analytical services so clients can validate PEF’s benefits in practice. This hands-on approach builds trust and supports informed investment decisions. We invite processors to co-design pilots on their lines to document yield, energy, and water KPIs—making the value of innovation measurable and actionable.

What is your five-year vision for processing technology in the potato sector, and how does your company plan to remain relevant as customer expectations mature?

Over the next five years, potato processing will be more automated, data-driven, and sustainable, with PEF embedded as standard. We will roll out PiCon from centrifugal slicers to hydro-jet cutters, extending quality control from chips to fries and improving raw-material and process-water monitoring. Our development pipeline focuses on larger-scale equipment and AI tools that detect optimal cleaning intervals, system load, and treatment intensity, translating into higher uptime and consistent quality. On product innovation, we’re combining PEF with low- or no-oil frying and advanced drying to enable healthier textures and novel formats—from new raw-material types to differentiated shapes. We invite processors to partner with us on these programs to shape the next generation of potato products.