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Stellar – Accelerated Organism Growth

Pulsed electric field intensification for faster growth and higher productivity.

Stellar is Bühler’s technology that uses nanosecond pulsed electric fields to intensify bioprocesses. By acting directly on cells and mass transfer, Stellar can accelerate organism growth, increase space–time yields, and enable more compact process designs. Available as mobile, stand-alone, and in-line modules, Stellar systems integrate seamlessly with your existing bioreactors and plants—from lab-scale development to full industrial operation.

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Key benefits

Faster organism growth

Increase growth rates and reduce fermentation or cultivation time in suitable processes, enabling higher throughput on your existing assets.

Higher productivity in the same footprint

Boost space–time yields so you can get more product from the same reactor volume, supporting process intensification and debottlenecking.

Scalable platforms from lab to plant

Gemini, Orion, and Taurus Stellar platforms cover laboratory, pilot, and full industrial scales—from ~0.02 L/h up to ~300 m³/h—using the same underlying technology.

Highlight features

Patented pulsed electric field intensification

Acting directly on cells and mass transfer

Stellar applies precisely controlled, nanosecond pulsed electric fields to the bioprocess. These fields can influence membrane transport, mass transfer, and cellular physiology, helping organisms grow faster and more efficiently under suitable conditions. Process recipes and operating parameters are tailored to your specific strain, media, and production targets, with a focus on robust, repeatable performance.


Modular platforms across scales

One technology, multiple configurations

Stellar is available in three platform families, allowing you to start small and scale up without changing the core intensification principle:


Designed for modern bioprocessing plants

Automation, safety, and hygiene built-in

All Stellar platforms are engineered for hygienic operation in food, feed, and industrial biotech environments. Process chambers and wetted parts are made from suitable stainless steels and materials, with CIP/SIP compatibility where required. Integrated automation handles pulse generation, power management, safety interlocks, and data logging. Interfaces to Bühler and third-party control systems allow advanced monitoring, recipe management, and traceability.

Applications


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Biomass & Precision Fermentation

Where Stellar adds value

Stellar enables a new level of performance in biomass and precision fermentation by applying pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment technology directly within the bioprocess. The result is faster, more efficient cultivation with 50%+ higher cell dry weight within the same cultivation time in suitable processes. Applicable across biological kingdoms, the technology supports a wide range of organisms used for food ingredients, flavors, functional proteins, enzymes, and bio-based chemicals. Designed for easy integration into existing bioprocess lines, Stellar solutions scale from bench-top development to industrial production, helping manufacturers increase productivity, shorten process times, and get more value from installed fermentation capacity.

Cellular Agriculture

Where Stellar adds value

For cellular agriculture, Stellar supports the development and scale-up of robust, intensified production processes using pulsed electric field technology. Integrated into the upstream process, the platform helps improve cultivation performance and creates a practical pathway from bench scale to pilot and industrial implementation. Its compatibility across biological kingdoms and its easy integration into bioprocess lines make it a strong fit for emerging cell-based production concepts that require controlled scale-up, reproducibility, and efficient process transfer. By enabling stronger process performance in the same operating window, Stellar helps accelerate the transition from innovation to scalable manufacturing.

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Got Questions? Let's talk.


bioprocessing@buhlergroup.com