Swiss food packaging solutions and processing company Tetra Pak has debuted its ‘factory of the future’ technology at the five-day Hannover Messe 2019 event being held in Germany.

       The company claims that its digital technology has the potential to transform the way food manufacturing plants operate.

       Tetra Pak Industry 4.0 and Digitalisation vice-president Johan Nilsson said: “We are in a period wher 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.

       “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 enables machines at the facility to automatically communicate with each other and with the factory’s digital systems.

       It will also have the ability to diagnose issues and place orders, as well as deliver parts and identify a technician suitable for the service needed.

       The firm has been working with its partners, such as Microsoft, ABB, SAP and the automated logistics solutions provider Elettric80.

       By combining its food expertise with new technologies, Tetra Pak aims to take a lead role in the digital transformation of food manufacturing and offer support to its customers.

       Due to these solutions, the workforce will be able to focus on plant management and help them to make quick and informed decisions, thereby accelerating the speed of production, reducing errors and minimising product waste.

       Tetra Pak’s technology builds on its previous launch, Tetra Pak Plant Secure and condition monitoring.

       Additionally, Tetra Pak has collaborated with Swiss technology company ABB to develop an energy assessment programme, which aims to help food and beverage producers lower their environmental impact and cut costs.

       The programme offers an assessment of the complete plant, thereby enabling customers to reduce their environmental impact and boost profitability.