1980: With its component and plant sector products Maschinenfabrik Halle had developed into a renowned industrial concern and became the original equipment manufacturer for almost all "land-based" refrigeration plant in the former socialist countries of Europe. Between 1976 and 1982, numerous new and further developments were realised both in the product range and in the plant construction division, in order to meet the new demands in the domestic and foreign markets. The key areas of work continued to be process cooling, refrigerated and freezer storage in the food and luxury goods industry, and the cooling of production processes in industrial and refrigeration technology for sports facilities. Furthermore, there were increased and new demands regarding cold water systems for air conditioning in microelectronics and heat pump systems up to 5000 kW for residential areas and hotels. The result was a "R22 - heat pumps / cold water sets" series with semi-hermetic piston-compressors (HKV) of the BR5 and with screw compressors (SV) supplied by VEB K�hlautomat Berlin. The machines achieved improved refrigeration and heating capacity with lower energy consumption, increase in the heat transfer medium outlet temperature to 50� C - and a substantially increased performance range. 8 basic types were available with HKVs for cooling capacities of 73 kW to 847 kW and heating capacities of 91 kW to 1042 kW, and 3 basic types with SVs for cooling capacities of 640 kW to 2100 kW and heating capacities of 825 kW to 2515 kW. Other new developments included small heat pumps as the "WW 12" water - water heat pump and the "LW 18" air - water heat pump. These units were primarily used for heating in detached houses, offices, doctor's practices and in decentralised rooms for non-potable water treatment. Between 1982 and 1989, air cooling refrigeration sets (KSL) were developed, mainly for refrigerated fruit and vegetable warehouses of the food industry. The refrigeration sets were used as decentralised refrigeration plant (withdrawable type units) for standard refrigerated warehouses. An air-conditioned container was provided as a protective jacket against low ambient temperatures. The first series were built with semi-hermetic piston compressors and were transferred into series production in 1984. In 1989 a type series based on screw compressors (SV) for smaller capacities followed, which benefited from the radical economic change in the GDR. 

1989: The refrigeration systems, equipment and products delivered between 1980 and 1989 were used in the following industrial sectors:
Refrigeration for air conditioning systems: microelectronics in Erfurt, Jena, Dresden and Berlin
Hotel buildings: in Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig
Hospitals: e.g. Charit� Berlin
Food industry: Sausage and canning factory Ulan-Bator, Mongolian Republic; Baghdad slaughterhouse, 12 refrigerated warehouses in Iran; 350 compressor units for block ice plant and refrigerated warehouses in Iran; reconstruction of the standard refrigerated warehouses, use of BR5 / 5VV8 200 - 2 / fish refrigerated warehouse in Sa�nitz
Sports buildings: Alternberg sled and bob run in the Erzgebirge (built 1983 - 1985), use of BR5 / 5VV8 200 - 2 / bob and racing sledge run in Calgary/Canada 1986/1987 - supply of the technological know-how, engineering together with WTZ Sportbauten Leipzig

1990: On July 1, 1990, „VEB Maschinenfabrik Halle“ was incorporated into „ILKA Maschinenfabrik Halle GmbH“ with headquarters in Halle/Saale. The start of MAFA into this new historic epoch experienced considerable difficulties and warranted a fresh approach to the market. The economic structures of the markets in the entire CMEA trading area served by MAFA had broken down seriously effecting their manufacturing position (90 to 95% of MAFA's production was exported). In addition, the trade relations established by the GDR Foreign Trade with West European and other countries of the world market were untenable, only service and spare part deliveries could still be realized and then only on a small scale. Having old debts of 49 million DM resulting from GDR investments and a staff of approx. 2200 employees, the new management faced a nearly insurmountable task. The formation of a new company structure was started immediately and proven features were maintained. In order to regain a foothold on the market, new products were developed which would distinguish ILKA MAFA Halle GmbH from it's competitors. Special attention was given to the environmental situation, namely ozone depletion in the stratosphere and CO2 enrichment in the atmosphere (global warming-up potential). By using their professional competence - in the field of the ecologically friendly and energetically favourable refrigerant NH3 - new products were developed such as the FKA NH3 liquid chillers with piston compressors. In order to gain more acceptance of NH3 in air conditioning, the refrigerant charge was considerably reduced. An efficient reduction of the refrigerant charge was brought about by the transition from flooded expansion, being common practice for NH3 at that time, to dry expansion.

1991: On April 1, there was an amalgamation of several enterprises of the former combine „Luft und Kältetechnik“ to „ILKA- Kälte AG“ with headquarters in Dresden.

1992: According to a decision of the partners (Treuhand Agency Berlin), however,  „ILKA-Kälte AG“ was prepared for individual privatization of the enterprises on November 30, 1992. „ILKA Maschinenfabrik Halle GmbH“ became under the jurisdiction of Treuhand Agency Berlin.

1993: In October 1993, „ILKA Maschinenfabrik Halle GmbH“ left the premises in Halle and moved completely to its premises in Döllnitz. Another aim of the development was to make the systems hermetic. This meant to replace the dynamic seals by static gaskets. This problem was solved by the use of glandless stop valves and the development of a series of semi-hermetic suction-gas cooled NH3 piston compressors. For this purpose, a suction-gas cooled, built-in, motor was developed and tested together with Siemens. Due to this achievement, MAFA Halle has become the first company in the world being in a position to offer its customers semi-hermetic, suction-gas cooled, NH3 piston compressors, and hence semi-hermetic NH3 liquid chillers FKA with dry expansion covering a range of refrigerating capacities from 140 to 400 KW.

1994: Development of a series of FKAS NH3 liquid chillers using screw compressors, with a refrigerating capacity range from 200 to 4800 KW.

1995: New development of an ammonia absorber. In addition to reduction of the ammonia charge in the refrigerant circuit and enhancement of the system tightness, an absorption system was developed which could be installed in the machinery room. In the event of NH3 escape the absorber could be started by NH3 sensors and the ammonia laden air drawn off and cleaned in the absorber.

1996: Further development of FKA liquid chillers having two refrigerant circuits, by using four semi-hermetic piston compressors. Range of refrigerating capacities: 560 to 1600 KW.

1997: Development of the „NH3 refrigeration module“ comprising fully welded plate evaporator and plate condenser with dry refrigerant expansion. Due to this development, further reduction of the refrigerant charge and of the space requirement of the NH3 liquid chillers was made possible. Range of refrigerating capacities: 100 to 400 KW

1999: After several futile efforts for privatization, GEA AG Bochum took over the enterprise, having approx. 50 employees at that time, on September 27, 1999. Thus, „ILKA MAFA Kältemaschinenbau GmbH“ became a new member of the GEA Grasso Group and was integrated into the Refrigeration Division of GEA AG. In close cooperation with Berlin GEA Grasso GmbH Refrigeration Technology, it could now further extend its competence as qualified manufacturer of piston and screw compressor liquid chillers.