European patent granted for PEF processing of plant leaves
12. August 2026 - PEF is finding applications well beyond the processes where it is traditionally used. A newly granted European patent demonstrates how Pulsed Electric Fields can be used to influence the processing of plant leaves, including tea and tobacco. ELEA Technology GmbH has been granted European patent EP 3 691 459 B for the application of PEF in the processing of plant leaves. The patented technology addresses several stages of leaf processing, from rolling through to fermentation, and demonstrates how PEF treatment can influence the behaviour of the leaf during subsequent processing.
From leaf structure to fermentation
One of the key effects of PEF is its ability to modify plant tissue. In leafy products, these structural changes can have consequences beyond the PEF treatment itself.
The patented process demonstrates that PEF can reduce leaf breakage during rolling, helping to maintain product quality. At the same time, PEF can promote the release of endogenous enzymes, supporting faster fermentation.
This creates an important process connection: by modifying the leaf structure before subsequent processing, PEF can influence both the mechanical and biochemical steps that follow.
For products such as black tea, this can help shorten processing times while supporting more efficient fermentation. The technology also has the potential to reduce energy consumption by making the overall process more efficient.
From concept to industrial application
The development is not limited to the patent itself.
In parallel, the GrünPEF project enabled the development of a dedicated industrial PEF system for leafy products. The system is now part of ELEA’s technology portfolio and provides a route for transferring the concepts demonstrated through the project and patent into industrial practice.
This combination of process development and dedicated equipment is important for turning a promising PEF application into a practical industrial solution.
Another application for a versatile technology
The patent highlights the versatility of PEF as a process tool. Rather than focusing on a single product or processing step, PEF can be used to modify structure and mass transfer in ways that influence what happens further along the process chain.
For leafy products, that can mean less breakage during rolling, faster fermentation and more efficient processing.
It is another example of why the potential of PEF is not limited to what happens inside the treatment chamber. The real value can emerge from understanding how the treatment changes the product and then using those changes to rethink the process around it.