SWITZERLAND – Tetra Pak in collaboration with global technology firms Microsoft, ABB, SAP and logistics solutions provider Elettric80 has developed “factory of the future” for the digitization of food manufacturing
Tetra Pak is set to unveil its “factory of the future” at Hannover Messe 2019 in Germany, where it will showcase how digital technologies are revolutionizing the way food is processed.
Tetra Pak will be able to demonstrate various machines communicating with each other as well as with the digital systems of the entire operation.
The machines automatically take on tasks such as diagnosing problems, ordering and delivering parts, and looking for an engineer who is most suitable for the service needed.
According to Tetra Pak, the technology builds on previous measures to bring the benefits of digitalisation to the food and beverage industry, such as the launch of Tetra Pak Plant Secure and condition monitoring.
With the support of the smart solutions, the workforce will be able to focus on managing the plant, making quick, informed decisions and continuously increasing the speed of production, reducing errors and minimizing product waste.
“We are in a period where the market is changing at high speed. Consumer demands coupled with regulations require a new way of food manufacturing that is much more efficient, and food-safety guaranteed,” said Johan Nilsson, VP Industry 4.0 and Digitalisation at Tetra Pak.
“At the same time, we believe humans should continue to be at the centre of the management of food manufacturing, with digital solutions as their support.”
The technology was developed through a collaboration with Microsoft, ABB, SAP and the automated logistics solutions provider Elettric80.
It further combines human intelligence and cutting-edge technologies that cements the company’s expertise in food processing plants and innovation.
ABB partnership, a cost-saving and sustainable initiative
Tetra Pak has also announced that it has partnered ABB energy solutions with a goal to help food and beverage manufacturers reduce their environmental impact and cut costs.
“There is a sense of urgency for all industries to reduce their environmental impact across their operations, and we are developing programmes together with our partners to reduce this impact for our customers and the overall industry,” said Johan Nilsson, Vice President at Tetra Pak.
The plant assessment programme is an excellent example of an area where we have found and created opportunities for environmental savings.”
The program works by providing an assessment of the entire plant, and based on the analysis, Tetra Pak offers customers recommendations on lowering energy consumption while maximizing profitability.
With the programme, customers can reduce their carbon emissions and cut energy cost by between 15% and 25%.
“With this strategic collaboration, Tetra Pak and ABB will create and drive a leading manufacturing ecosystem to provide Tetra Pak’s customers with the most advanced digital solutions and services,” said Visar Krasniqi, Group Vice President, Digital Transformation at ABB.
“Additionally, this will enable Tetra Pak’s customers to run ABB’s digital solutions and their operations with improved overall efficiency, flexibility and sustainability.”
