Advancements in food automation will help shape the future of the industry, particularly in frozen food, where the technology has the potential to revolutionize processing and manufacturing.
The U.S. food automation market is estimated at $2.6 billion and growing, driven by efficiency, labor markets and food safety. The market is projected to grow globally at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%, through 2030, according to the Global Food Automation Strategic Industry Report 2024 by Research and Markets, a market research and data firm. Noteworthy markets outside the U.S. include China, Canada, Japan and Germany, according to the report.
Food plants across the globe are implementing next-generation technologies, like robotics, data processing, automated control systems and others.
BAK Food Equipment was among the 1,400 exhibitors showcasing automation at the record-setting 2024 International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) – theirs in the form of the Protech Automated Spiral Cooking/Smoking/Freezing system, a patent-pending system capable of processing up to 8,800 pounds of product per hour with only two staffers. Spiral oven technology is not new to the meat-processing industry but Protech is the only company to offer fully automated spiral oven cooking, smoking, and freezing technology specifically for bacon and other smoked meats using liquid smoke, natural smoke, or a combination.
“Today, an overwhelming number of processors have both segmented sections of automation and extremely manual processes within their plant. The requests and inquiries we are seeing are addressing the manual processes first, then integrating complete lines into the already automated parts of the plant,” said Zack Olson, lead sales and marketing specialist at BAK Food Equipment. “Outside of extremely manual processes, like hanging and combing pork bellies, manufacturers are automating the thermal processes within the plant. In addition, we have seen an increased interest in automated defrosting technology, something that is newer to the industry.”
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