margarine Pilot Plant

The Polaron Margarine Pilot Plant is a complete, small-scale processing solution for R&D and innovation in fat-based products. Designed to help you develop, test, and fine-tune margarine and shortening recipes with confidence, it offers the flexibility and control needed for rapid experimentation with minimal raw material use, making it ideal for cost-effective product innovation, optimisation, and market testing.

At the core of the pilot plant is the Polaron pilot SSHE – a compact tubular scraped surface heat exchanger available with up to four processing cylinders on a stainless steel frame. Designed for direct cooling with CO₂ (R744) or NH₃ (R717), it operates at working pressures of up to 120 bar, mirroring the capabilities of full-scale production lines to ensure reliable, scalable results.

The pilot plant also includes a high-pressure pump and a pilot pin rotor machine, both rated for 120 bar. Pin rotor cylinders are modular and available in different volumes, allowing tailored texture development for a wide range of fat-based formulations.

The Polaron pilot plant can be configured with a range of modular components to simulate real production conditions on a small scale. Available equipment includes nitrogen equipment for the pilot pump, a pilot homogenising arrangement, a pre-fabricated emulsion preparation unit, and mobile pilot tanks mounted on sanitary wheels. This flexible setup allows you to test line configurations and recipes at any given time, troubleshoot formulations, and optimise processing parameters efficiently – without interrupting full-scale production.

With a legacy rooted in decades of innovation and engineering excellence, Gerstenberg Services is a recognised leader in fat crystallisation technology. From margarine and shortening to low-fat spreads and specialty fats, our deep industry knowledge helps producers bring high-quality products to market with speed, confidence, and consistency.

The Polaron Margarine Pilot Plant reflects our commitment to practical, scalable solutions that support product development and production efficiency. Every component is built with the same focus on hygiene, durability, and performance as our full-scale systems; this ensures that you can trust your test results to translate reliably to real-world conditions.

Whether you’re refining an existing recipe or pioneering something entirely new, the Polaron Margarine Pilot Plant gives you the flexibility and control to innovate with confidence – backed by the proven reliability of Gerstenberg Services.

At Gerstenberg Services, we are more than a system provider: we are your processing partner. When you choose a Gerstenberg Services solution, you gain more than cutting-edge equipment. You gain a committed team that supports you through every stage of the production journey.

From initial consultation and system selection to installation, commissioning, and ongoing service, we are by your side to ensure your equipment delivers optimal performance from day one. Our experts work closely with your team to customise solutions, provide comprehensive training, and offer responsive technical support whenever you need it.

With Gerstenberg Services, it’s not just about delivering a product: it’s about building a lasting partnership that helps your business run smoothly, faster, and more profitably. The Polaron Margarine Pilot Plant reflects our commitment to practical, scalable solutions that support product development and production efficiency. Every component is built with the same focus on hygiene, durability, and performance as our full-scale systems; this ensures that you can trust your test results to translate reliably to real-world conditions.

Whether you’re refining an existing recipe or pioneering something entirely new, the Polaron Margarine Pilot Plant gives you the flexibility and control to innovate with confidence – backed by the proven reliability of Gerstenberg Services.