Product Optimisation Webinar

Summary

This webinar focuses on strategies for optimizing product processes in the food and drink industry. It covers key areas like supply chain optimization, investing in new technologies, and the use of automation to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Topics include the benefits of advanced equipment, such as counterflow injection systems, and innovative techniques like post-electric fields to improve product yield and reduce energy consumption. The session emphasizes the importance of updating old processes, integrating robotics, and using digital tools for process analysis to stay competitive in the market.

Takeaways

• 😀 New technology advancements, like counterflow injection systems, offer more efficient, higher throughput, and energy-saving alternatives to traditional homogenizers.
• 😀 Post-electric fields technology can drastically reduce energy usage in food production by replacing heating stages, especially in potato-based snack manufacturing.
• 😀 Utilizing post-electric fields also helps reduce starch loss, oil uptake, and blade wear, contributing to cost reductions and increased yields.
• 😀 New technologies in manufacturing processes can unlock completely new avenues for reducing operational costs and improving product quality.
• 😀 Robotics and automation are becoming more viable in food manufacturing, addressing labor shortages and increasing process efficiency through tasks like product handling and automation.
• 😀 Digital twins and computer simulations are increasingly used to optimize factory processes, including throughputs, yields, and energy consumption.
• 😀 Advances in robotic programming, like gesture control, make automation more accessible and reduce the need for specialized training, increasing staff adaptability.
• 😀 Automation also helps with process flexibility, allowing quicker transitions between tasks, making production lines more efficient and responsive.
• 😀 Packaging plays a critical role in both reducing costs and maintaining product quality by extending shelf life and using the right materials.
• 😀 Regularly updating processing equipment can improve operational efficiency, reduce the number of steps required in production, and incorporate automation for higher productivity.
• 😀 When modifying products or processes, it is crucial to validate changes to ensure product safety, quality, and market competitiveness.

Q & A

What are some ways to optimize the manufacturing process to reduce costs?

Optimizing the ingredient supply chain, improving packaging efficiency, and investing in new technologies such as advanced emulsification systems and automation can all help reduce manufacturing costs.

How can packaging contribute to product optimization?

Packaging plays a key role in reducing costs by extending shelf life, maintaining product quality, and ensuring that the right amount of packaging is used. It also serves as a marketing tool to enhance sales.

What is the significance of upgrading technology in manufacturing processes?

Upgrading technology can improve production efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and increase product yield. It can also streamline the production process by reducing the number of steps, leading to time and cost savings.

How does pulse electric field (PEF) technology work in food manufacturing?

PEF technology uses high-voltage electric pulses to puncture plant cell tissues, particularly in potatoes for snack products. This can replace the heating stage, reducing energy consumption, increasing yields, reducing waste, and cutting down on oil usage in the process.

What are the advantages of using pulse electric field (PEF) technology?

PEF technology offers multiple advantages, such as significant energy savings, reduced wear on cutting blades, improved yields, less product breakage, and reduced oil uptake, ultimately leading to cost savings and increased production efficiency.

How is robotics impacting the food and drink industry?

Robotics are becoming increasingly important in food manufacturing by automating simple tasks, which reduces labor costs and shortages. This allows staff to focus on more value-added tasks, improving overall productivity and efficiency.

What is a digital twin, and how does it benefit food production?

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a factory or manufacturing process. It allows manufacturers to simulate different scenarios, identify bottlenecks, and optimize production processes, leading to better throughput, yield, and energy management.

What role does automation play in food manufacturing?

Automation helps streamline processes, improve efficiency, and reduce reliance on labor. It can lower production costs, enhance flexibility, and improve consistency in food manufacturing by integrating robotics and AI systems.

What challenges come with implementing automation in food production?

The main challenges include the need for specialized programming skills, the upfront cost of robotics, and the potential complexity in integrating new automation systems into existing operations. However, these challenges are often outweighed by long-term cost savings and efficiency gains.

What is the importance of validating changes in product ingredients or processing steps?

Validation is crucial to ensure that changes do not compromise product quality or safety. It ensures that the product continues to meet consumer expectations while maintaining competitiveness in the market.