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FT676
erage industry is no different.
Staff working in a food and beverage
facility can be trained through
virtual instructions and scenarios,
where it is possible to virtually
visualise working and operating in
the facility. This method of training
could enable a more productive
workforce to be trained at a quicker
rate, compared to traditional
and manual training.
AR can also enhance consumer
experience. Some manufacturers
have designed products that have
labels that display nutritional or
recipe information when AR is
used. However, some suppliers are
taking this one step further. A New
York bakery, for instance, uses AR
to display a 3D view of their products
for customers to view before
they place an order. Using AR in
ways like this could increase sales
as it means the customer can see
the food or finished product before
they commit to purchase.
3D printing food
Another technology that’s being
increasingly used in the food and
beverage industry is 3D printing.
Currently, 3D printing technology
is being applied to industries such
as automotive, aerospace and
packaging, but it is now making
its way into the food and beverage
sector. In fact, it is predicted that
by 2020, the global revenue for the
3D printing market will reach $21
billion.
In 2013, NASA developed the
NASA Advanced Food Program to
try and feed astronauts for longer
periods of time with more creative
food options. Working with
additional suppliers, the program
was able to create a 3D printed
pizza. As the potential uses of 3D
printing are developed, the benefits
that this technology can offer is
becoming further understood. 3D
printing food can produce precise
results and save time and effort.
While 3D printing has the potential
to provide innovative food to the
growing population much faster
compared to traditional methods
of manufacturing, it also provides
options for the industry to be more
environmentally sustainable. 3D
printing only uses the required
amount of raw materials to make a
finished product and the hydrocolloid
cartridges that are used in
3D printers form a gel when mixed
with water and leave minimal
waste.
Blockchain
technology
Consumer attitudes to food
have also changed. Whether it’s
ensuring that produce is grown
sustainably, plastic waste is kept
to a minimum, or even eliminated
altogether, consumers now want
to know every detail about the
product they’re buying — and
blockchain technology can provide
just that.
Through blockchain, consumers
can verify the history, origin and
quality of a product. Blockchain
is benefitting the industry as it
builds trust between the supplier,
manufacturer and consumer,
which in turn can increase brand
loyalty. It can also reduce food
waste by identifying problems
along the way, such as contamination
or storage issues. If problems
are detected at an early stage of
the production process, it can be
resolved before it hits the shelves.
This could help reduce food waste
and eliminate the need for product
recalls.
Most food manufacturers should
already have software installed
that monitors, records, and traces
product ingredient details. ABB
offers its 800xA distributed control
system (DCS) or the ABB Ability
Manufacturing Operations Management
(MOM) system, which
traces and records an ingredient
and logs the data in a database for
manufacturers to refer to.
It is still uncertain exactly how the
growing population and consumer
preferences will impact the industry,
but manufacturers need to
ensure their facilities are installed
with the latest technology in order
to adapt to the constant change.
Manufacturers should embrace
these developments in technology
and apply them to their production
processes as failure to prepare
could jeopardise their position in
the industry.
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