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Digitalization

But , with such considerations , along with added global supply chain and energy pressures , and the need to expand or boost productivity , how can F & B businesses keep up ? Here , Sandra Perletti at ABB explores the latest advances in digitalization and the pivotal role they can play in supporting the ever-complex F & B task .

Eating food is one of our most basic needs . Yet the reality is that there is a finely tuned ecosystem of production techniques and processes behind every mouthful – and it ’ s becoming increasingly complex . A large part of this can be attributed to global changes in diet as consumers ’ preferences have shifted with the rise of plantbased and health-first foods . More than ever too , consumers want to know what ’ s in the product they ’ re buying – covering everything from calories to more nebulous terms like healthy , organic and natural . The result is a manufacturing minefield as brands struggle to cater for all .

Sustainability must be accounted for too . The global F & B system , after all , has major impacts on the environment , through carbon emissions , water abstraction , soil , water and air pollution - issues which must be tackled at pace if net zero is to be achieved . This sits alongside increased consumer demand for products that support a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle . Add to the equation volatile electricity and gas costs and it has never been more important for operators to rethink their energy approach .

So , the challenge is – how can F & B facilities meet the evolving need to increase food production , improve quality and variety , reduce energy expenditure and optimize sustainability efforts ? The good news is digitalization has – at least in part – the answer .

The F & B sector is ripe for digitalization

To explain the growing role of digitalization in F & B production , it ’ s important to first explain what it means . Put simply , digitalization refers to the smart connection of assets . These assets could include the electrification equipment which distributes power around a production facility , the heating and cooling plant , even the motors , drives and compressors which run processing machinery . With industrial IoT technology , it becomes possible to gain real-time visibility across the entire production floor and present it accessibly in order to make informed , better decisions to improve efficiency and effectiveness across all functions and departments .

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