(^36) FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal July 2019 http://www.industrysourcing.com
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CCORDING to global information provider,
IHS Markit half of Internet of Things (IoT)
d e v i c e s s h i p p e d g l o b a l l y b y 2 0 2 6 w i l l
be destined for the Asia-Pacific region.
Connecting to the IoT doesn’t necessarily
mean replacing all your machinery with these new devices,
it’s possible to connect your existing equipment. In this
report, John Young, sales director at automation parts supplier
EU Automation, explains how retrofitting can maximise
return on investment.
Industrial facilities often have a large array of machinery
of varying ages as equipment is designed to last. Retrofitting
machinery to have IoT capabilities is a cost-effective way of
modernising legacy equipment, especially as the alternative
is completely replacing the machine. With connectivity
becoming increasingly important it is time for legacy
equipment to be brought up to date by retrofitting smart
sensors onto older devices.Benefits of retrofitting machinery
One useful capability that can be added by retrofitting
machines with IoT smart sensors is condition monitoring.
This allows a business to gain deep insight into the condition
of its machines, allowing for greater understanding of what is
happening on its production lines.What do companies know about digital
solutions for food safety?
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SURVEY released by certification body DNV GL and the Global Food Safety
Initiative shows that F&B companies are familiar with the importance of
digital technologies related to food safety, but they have limited understanding
of how to apply these solutions. The survey of over 1,600 industry experts also shows
that only one in ten companies is now using new technology to enhance food safety.
Most used digital technologies
Sensors and beacons (44% today, 56% in three years) are the most widely used
technological solution. They are followed by blockchain (15% today, 40% in three years).
Retrofitting IoT
It is time for legacy equipment to be updated by
retrofitting smart sensors onto older devices, writes
JOHN YOUNG, sales director, EU Automation.
automation
Based on survey responses, companies are slow to invest in digital solutions
due to the lack of clarity. More than a quarter do not know how much they will be
investing in the next 12 to 18 months, and some 14% said they are not investing in
digital solutions. Seeing the value of blockchain, about 57% of respondents from
Asia expect to use this technology in the next three years, which is higher than other
regions.
“Digital technologies such as blockchain will transform many industries,
especially those in the retail sector, but this survey indicates that to many food and
beverage companies these technologies have yet to transition from buzzwords to real
applications,” said Luca Crisciotti, CEO – Business Assurance, DNV GL. “At DNV
GL we introduced blockchain to raise transparency in the certification process and to
help brands bridge the trust gap between their efforts and consumers’ concerns, but
it is clear we must work together as an industry to fully utilize the potential of new
digital technologies to improve food safety.”Drivers of food safety
Respondents were also asked about other areas of food safety. Safeguarding the
health of consumers (88%) was shown to be the main driver of food safety, followed
by laws and regulation (69%) and needs/requests from customers (60%).Commercial
benefits (30%) rank low, indicating that ensuring food safety is seen as a prerequisite.
Operational risk (76%), such as contamination, is perceived to be the standout
threat whilst a lack of food safety culture (30%) and compliance to regulations (28%)
are the next two biggest risks. The fear of operational risks is especially strong
in Europe (82%) compared to other regions. A clear majority of companies view
certification as a necessity of doing business (79%) whilst more than half (53%) see it
as a way of improving food safety.