Elea Technology has introduced PiCon, a new suite of inline monitoring and control solutions designed to improve transparency, automation and process optimisation in Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) applications.

The Germany-based company will present the new platform during a webinar on 30 June, offering industry professionals a first look at PiCon Sense, a solution nearing industrial implementation, as well as two additional tools currently under development: PiCon Vision and PiCon Flow.

PEF technology is widely used across the food industry to improve processing efficiency, product quality and yield through the application of short high-voltage pulses. The technology has become particularly well established in potato processing, where it is used to support cutting performance and overall process efficiency.

According to Elea, while PEF systems already deliver proven benefits, additional gains can be achieved through greater process transparency and real-time monitoring. The newly launched PiCon platform has been developed to complement traditional sampling-based assessments by providing continuous operational insights throughout the production process.

PiCon Sense is designed to monitor cutting operations in real time using artificial intelligence to analyse acoustic and vibration signals generated during processing. The system enables continuous process assessment and adjustment, helping processors maintain product quality and improve operational consistency.

PiCon Vision focuses on belt-load monitoring and combines camera technology with AI-based analysis. The system is being developed to detect belt loading conditions, dirt accumulation and foam formation, with the aim of improving capacity utilisation, reducing energy consumption and enhancing overall system performance.

The third component of the platform, PiCon Flow, is intended to provide detailed monitoring of oil and water consumption during frying operations. Using external flow measurement technology, the system generates data that can support resource optimisation, lower operating costs and contribute to more sustainable production.

The upcoming webinar, titled “Introducing PiCon: Elea’s New Inline Intelligence for PEF Process Control”, will be led by Elea Managing Director Prof. Dr. Stefan Toepfl and Food Engineer and PhD student Madita Kirchner. The session will present the latest developments, discuss industrial implementation and demonstrate how the new tools can be used to improve efficiency, transparency and product quality across PEF applications.

The webinar will be conducted in English and will include an option for live language translation. A recording will be made available to all registered participants following the event.

Based in Quakenbrück, Germany, Elea Technology specialises in Pulsed Electric Field technology for the food, beverage and scientific sectors. The company supplies belt-, pipe- and chain-based PEF systems, pilot-scale equipment and process optimisation tools. According to Elea, more than 300 PEF installations have been deployed worldwide across the potato, vegetable, fruit and beverage industries.