Food and drink sectors face a ‘perfect technological storm’

By Rick Pendrous

- Last updated on GMT

Robotics and digital technologies will be transformational for the sector
Robotics and digital technologies will be transformational for the sector

Related tags Industry

The “perfect storm of societal and technological development” facing the food and beverage industry was under discussion last month in Houston, Texas, at a show organised for the customers of automation and robotics specialist ABB.

On the second day of the event, which focused on the food and drink sector, several keynote speeches and panels were devoted to discussing the technological challenges and developments in food manufacturing, processing and packaging.

Topics ranged from improving productivity and safety with robots to boosting profits by using plant electrical assessments better.

Debates covered the growing trends for automation and digitalisation, together with the way these were reshaping the modern food industry and informing new practices.

Growing trends for automation and digitalisation

In particular, ABB addressed the challenges of productivity, regulatory compliance and sustainability and explained how plant managers in the food sector could overcome them.

“There is a perfect storm of societal and technological developments that is rapidly changing the nature of the food industry,” ​said Robert Glass, global food and beverage communications manager at ABB.

“Plant managers must adapt effectively to these changes in order to successfully operate in the coming years.”

Efficient, productive, reliable and safe processes

He described how ABB’s industrial digital technology, called ABB Ability, was being used in the sector to develop more efficient, productive, reliable and safe processes for use in factories.

“The recent oversights in contamination control across the world have been a key contributing factor to the shifting regulatory landscape of the food industry,” ​said Glass.

“Food plant managers should invest in digitalisation and robotics, such as those offered by ABB, to take steps towards safely meeting these standards and improving efficiency.”

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