How Automation Helps Reduce Food Waste
Over the last decade, food waste has become an epidemic.
However, with the introduction of automation solutions in the food processing industries, there has been a reduction in gas emissions, improved food quality, and reduced food waste.
In U.S. households, over 150,000 tons of food go to waste each day, while in the European Union, over 88 million tons of food go to waste each year. A third of the food produced in Asia is reassigned to landfills even before it reaches the consumers.
Automation can drastically minimize food waste in production
According to the Food and Agriculture Association (FAO), in order to feed the growing population, food production will need to be increased by around 60% by the year 2050. Yet if we reduced the amount of food waste by around 25%, there would be enough food to feed everyone currently suffering from malnutrition and end world hunger as we know it.
The ever-rising cost of labor and food waste has led to the introduction of robot and automation systems into the food industry, which comes with its own benefits such as improved productivity and product quality.
Reduced waste and quality assurance are by far the main objective of most industries, including the food industry. The ability to package and deliver high quality food is the key to success in the very competitive food industry, hence the need for automation solutions that offer improved food quality, higher productivity, and increased profitability.
Let’s take a closer look at how automation in areas of manufacturing prone to food waste is helping tackle the issue of food waste.
How automation within food processing is helping reduce food waste
Food manufacturers play a major role in reducing food waste, not only because of their ability to influence supplier and consumer behavior, but also through taking tangible actions in their own operations.
Automating certain processes in food processing plants helps minimize food waste by minimizing food handling and contamination while increasing the efficiency of the production line.
Reduced food waste is achieved through:
1. REDUCED HANDLING
The incidence of food contamination increases proportionately to the level of handling the food products go through.
Automation not only reduces food waste, but also improves product quality, profitability, and productivity.
2. SMART PACKAGING
Automation has revolutionized the food industry: with increased precision, there are fewer quality control issues.
Advancement in the automation of the food industry plays a major role in reducing food wastage without compromising food quality. This is achieved through the integration of the automation process such as smart packaging, wrapping machines, cartooning machines, cooling and drying machines, and more.
3. FASTER PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY LINES
Automation offers direct and indirect benefits for both production and delivery lines.
The direct benefits are increased delivery speed and reduced waste, while the indirect benefits are increased precision, workplace safety, and a lower operating budget.
Real life example of automation reducing food waste
The application of data analytics and automation process in the food supply chain is no longer a prediction as companies such as Marcus Technologies, an automation software provider for protein trading and logistic companies, are helping revolutionize the food industry. Marcus Technology has automated processes that would have been previously conducted manually by consolidating quoting, booking, and tracking all into one platform.
After just six months, Marcus technology had reduced the overall costs for its clients by ten times their initial ROI estimates thanks to the reduced wastage and spoilage of food. In addition, such automation within the food industry has helped companies adjust to swings in demand and unlock certain efficiencies, which in return is reducing the amount of food going to waste.
At NRTC Automation, we bring efficiency and transparency in the supply chain of most industries by introducing automation solutions.
Our goal as an automation solution provider is to ensure that the producers, consumers, and traders make better decisions by providing them with comprehensive services when they need it.
The most effective way to change the future of the food industry and end world hunger is by reducing the current food wastage and by automating certain production and delivery processes. That's why we are determined to empower each stakeholder in the industry with automation solutions.
AUTOMATE WITH NRTC TO MINIMIZE WASTE TODAY
At NRTC Automation, we have been supplying automation solutions to a wide range of industries for over a decade.
Work with us to automate your food production facility with turnkey automation solutions. Plus, we’ll provide your staff with training needed to operate the automated systems with our Robotic Training Services.
Schedule a free consultation today to get started.