LAKELAND, FLA. — Technology solutions provider JBT Corporation introduced its new SuperStatic Retort and Energy Recovery System (ERS) for use in the pet food industry, as well as variety of food and beverage products. Both the retort and new system offer sustainability, increased food safety and cost reduction benefits.

Specifically designed for sterilization, JBT’s SuperStatic Retort can help reduce processing times, energy consumption, floor space and more using a cutting-edge design. The stainless-steel retort is equipped with improved heating and cooling technologies to help ensure efficient and uniform thermal processing.

By using the SuperStatic retort, processors can save on steam and water without compromising on throughput. According to JBT, tests on the new retort showed up to 30% reduction of come-up times and up to 34% reduction of cooling times.

“The SuperStatic retort is a patent pending solution that, among other improvements, shortens the overall process time, equipping our customers across the food and beverage industry with the technology to simultaneously increase product output and save energy,” said Rick Wilson, global product line director at JBT. “Furthermore, this technology could result in fewer retorts overall, reducing capital expenditure and requiring less floorspace.”

The SuperStatic Retort also offers sustainability benefits, lower cost and greater productivity.

“With its sustainability benefits, the new SuperStatic retort is another example of JBT’s commitment to continued innovation across our product lines,” said Carlos Fernandez, executive vice president of JBT and president of Diversified Food and Health. “JBT is proud to bring this unique solution to market that addresses critical needs for our customers and our planet.”

The retort includes JBT’s LOG-TEC™, a management system that allows for the review and approval of thermal cycles.

Alongside the new SuperStatic Retort, the company also introduced its new sustainable Energy Recovery System (ERS), an integration for JBT’s Steam Water Spray (SWS) retort technologies. With the ERS, processors using the SWS retorts can save up to 30% on energy without extending thermal cycles, therefore reducing costs.

“As energy prices continue to rise, it is important for producers to be forward-thinking when it comes to their technology and about how their solutions will continue to meet their needs, be cost effective, and reduce their carbon footprint,” Wilson said. “The sustainability benefits that ERS offers are the biggest reason for customers to upgrade their existing SWS retorts.”

The ERS uses hot- and cold-water tanks to transfer energy between the come-up and cooking processes of a retort, extracting energy during the cooling phase. The energy is then leveraged during the come-up phase to heat the retort. The system is compatible and can be integrated into all JBT’s SWS retorts.

“JBT’s commitment to innovation that supports our customer’s needs is second to none,” Fernandez said. “By integrating ERS into future plans, JBT is helping customers reach their sustainability goals and the targets they already have in place.”

To help ensure the integration of the ERS, JBT will offer its PRoCARE® services, providing high-quality maintenance in a variety of service packages.

Find more articles about the latest pet food processing technologies on our Equipment page.