EVENTS AI, Robotics,
EVENTS AI, Robotics, Sensor Technology Raising Meat & Protein Processing to New Heights at IFFA 2025 The meat and protein processing industry is facing major challenges. Pressure on prices, a wide range of products and the ongoing shortage of skilled labor call for efficient working practices if the industry is to remain competitive globally. Increasing automation and innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics represent potential solutions: they can boost productivity and cut operating costs. Under the motto ‘Maximum Performance’, the world‘s leading trade fair for the meat and protein processing industry, IFFA - Technology for Meat and Alternative Proteins, will show what is already possible and demonstrate the course the industry needs to take in the future. Automation is the name of the game in many branches of industry: it not only improves the performance of machines and systems but also helps avoid production interruptions and save energy and materials. In the food industry, for example, automatic product control and traceability is virtually mandatory to ensure a consistently high level of quality and meet strict legal requirements. It is also an ideal tool for tackling challenges such as rising costs and the shortage of skilled labor. Process automation in the meat and protein industry ranges from raw material preparation with mixing and grinding, via processing with portioning, filling and moulding, as well as thermal processes such as cooking and cooling, to automatic packaging and intelligent logistics. In many cases, however, the various process stages and production lines are not networked with each other, meaning that data exchange is impossible and cannot be used to optimise the various processes. Fortunately, there is a remedy because web-based process control systems such as MES and ERP often consist of modular software systems that can be retrofitted to existing installations. Thus, the advantages of a fully networked smart factory are not just the preserve of new production facilities. The foundation of many automatic processes is real-time data collection and analysis. Modern sensors supply precise information regarding temperature, humidity, weight and pressure. For example, temperature and humidity sensors in cold stores are used to prevent the temperature rising and thus avoid the risk of contamination. Weight sensors check the weight of each individual meat Thanks to AI, robots can operate with greater autonomy and agility. Photo: Messe Frankfurt product and ensure that the packaging is in line with specifications. This not only reduces the amount of material used but also minimises waste and the return rate. Another example is sensors for monitoring the gas composition in packaging, which ensures the desired conditions are maintained at all times. AI speeds up processing In common with many other industries, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is also transforming the meat and protein industry and taking it to a new level by enabling machines not only to collect data from the various stages of production but also to analyse and deduce potential improvements from it. In the event of disruptions in the production process, AI can identify cause-and-effect relationships and thus rectify problems without stopping the production process or prevent them occurring in the future. This not only boosts efficiency but also means higher levels of certainty for both consumers and companies. Industrial image recognition and processing is also based on AI models that have been trained for the application in question. For example, it is used to sort meat products in accordance with specific criteria, such as size, shape and structure. This reduces the employee‘s workload at the same time as increasing precision. Predictive maintenance is another area of application. AI-aided systems monitor machine status and predict downtimes so that maintenance work is only carried out when required. According to a McKinsey study, predictive maintenance in the food industry can reduce maintenance costs by as much as 30 percent and increase plant utilization by 20 percent. Today, industrial robots are an established feature in the food industry, especially in 32 Technology & Marketing
larger companies. Operating around the clock, they can bring about considerable gains in efficiency and productivity. However, the dividing line between conventional machines and those with integrated robot technology is not clear cut. It can be said, however, that industrial robots are mainly used to perform repetitive tasks, such as those typically found in the meat processing industry, for example cutting, portioning, packing, wrapping, sorting, picking and placing. AI, robotics and sensor technology boost performance and accelerate the pace of change The meat and protein processing industry is on the cusp of radical change, driven by the use of new technologies such as AI, robotics and sensor technology. These technologies are not only an opportunity to automate processes and increase efficiency but also to enhance product quality and sustainability. Companies that integrate these technologies at an early stage are well prepared to ensure their competitiveness on the global market. Technology & Marketing For more information www.iffa.com EVENTS Trolley Mixer Novelty The German soccer legend Sepp Herberger once explained the quintessence of the game with the words: “The round thing must go into the square thing.” At Seydelmann, the motto is now: It goes round in the square. The Trolley Mixer, presented for the first time at IFFA 2025, enables products to be mixed directly in industry-standard square containers - the standard trolleys with 200l or 300l capacity. Different mixing arms are available for the machine, which either gently standardize products, mix them in a binding manner or knead them intensively. These can be inserted without tools using a quick-change system. A combination of the movement of the rotating mixing arms and the trolley itself makes it possible to reach every angle in the angular trolley and ensure that the entire mix is reliably captured and mixed. The use of a standard trolley as a mixing container offers many advantages. There is no need for time-consuming transfer. Technology & Marketing XXX Downstream production machines, such as fillers or portioners, can be loaded with the same trolley using lifting and tipping devices that are usually already in place. In addition, standard trolleys are significantly cheaper than the round mixing containers of comparable machines and require less storage space for the same internal volume. The Trolley Mixer relies on the use of existing equipment and thus contributes to cost reduction in production. For more information www.seydelmann.com IFFA May 3-8 Frankfurt Hall 8.0 Booth A06 PAD. 29 / STAND L39–L43 PROCESS TECHNOLOGY FOR PET FOOD Explore inspiring concepts at Zoomark 2025! From premium treats to innovative pet nutrition – our smart and connective technologies for portioning, forming, dosing, and automation set new standards. Visit us and shape the future of pet food! Issue 2 2025 ↗ HANDTMANN.COM/PETFOOD #WEAREHANDTMANN 33
