The food and beverage manufacturing industry plays a critical role in the global economy. Whether for health and nutrition, palate pleasure, or social and traditional gatherings, the availability and affordability of food and drink is important to consumers.  Unfortunately, meeting the demands of a growing population for affordable and sustainable food and beverage options is becoming increasingly difficult. The need for larger and faster production facilities makes the impacts to the environment more significant. Growing energy requirements, overall resource consumption, and harmful emissions and waste products contribute heavily to the issues of climate change, deforestation, and pollution. With the age of digitalization, there can be smart solutions to these problems. “Smart” products are becoming more commonplace in the home, but we’re also seeing how smart products and digitalization can play a crucial role in improving sustainability in manufacturing, particularly the food and beverage industry. Many manufacturing facilities are taking advantage of “The Internet of Things”, commonly known as IoT. In general terms, IoT refers to a system of digital devices, sensors, machines and other objects that have individual unique identifiers (UIDs) and can connect over a network to automatically share and transfer data - without requiring human interaction. Below we discuss five ways that digitalization can help food and beverage manufacturers improve efficiency, save money, and do their part for the environment.
1. Improved Energy efficiency There are many ways that implementing smart technologies within manufacturing facilities can decrease energy consumption, lower energy bills, and reduce overall carbon emissions. Smart meters can be installed to monitor daily energy usage, providing real-time feedback to manufacturers so they can adjust their energy consumption to satisfactory levels. Automation systems help control energy usage by automatically turning off energy-draining equipment when it’s not in use. Smart sensors are strategically placed within the facility to detect the presence of workers in a room, adjusting lighting and temperatures accordingly.
2. Waste reduction With digitalization, it becomes simpler and more efficient to reduce waste by-products and optimize waste management. IoT sensors connect to the network of food processing equipment within a production facility, collecting data and monitoring for specific changes to alert manufacturers the moment that equipment needs to be cleaned or serviced. AI algorithms are then used to analyze data and identify areas where waste can be reduced. Big Data analytics can combine the data to predict waste generation patterns and plan waste management strategies accordingly. With the digitalized optimization of waste management, we can reduce waste generation, promote recycling, and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.
3. Sustainable packaging Reducing the environmental impact of food packaging is essential and is achievable through digitalization. 3D printing can be used by manufacturers to create customized packaging designed specifically to the product, cutting down on materials and improving product protection. Increasing the use of plastics made from biodegradable and compostable materials, (commonly known as bioplastics) in packaging means any discarded packaging will break down over time instead of taking up room in landfills. Smart packaging can monitor for freshness to help reduce the amount of wasted or spoiled food.
4. Sustainable production  IoT and AI can be used to optimize production processes, reduce emissions, and decrease energy consumption. IoT Sensors are set to monitor production equipment and notify manufacturers the moment it needs to be maintained or replaced. AI algorithms analyze overall production data to identify specific areas where energy consumption and emissions can be reduced.
5. Sustainable water management Water is a limited essential resource, and it’s important to reduce unnecessary waste or pollution. With digitalization, water management can be more sustainable, leading to significantly less water waste. IoT sensors can be used to monitor water usage and identify areas where it can be conserved. AI algorithms then analyze the data and identify opportunities to reduce water consumption. Digital twins (virtual, digital copies of an object which are used in simulation scenarios) can be designed to simulate water usage and identify ways to optimize water management. With these digital assets in place, manufacturers can reduce their overall water consumption, lower their water bills, and decrease their environmental impact to water resources. In our age of digitalization and growing environmental challenges, it’s now more essential and more viable for food and beverage manufacturers to improve their sustainability within a global market. With increased energy efficiency, reduced waste output, eco-friendly packaging materials and design, optimized production processes, and improved water management, manufacturers not only reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices – which looks great to consumers – they can also improve their bottom line.