Khadambari Shanbagaraman, a research analyst with Frost & Sullivan, argues that wireless devices can enable continuous monitoring and efficient traceability of the entire production process in the food manufacturing plant, thus ensuring consumers’ health and hygiene.
He claims, though, that while the wireless market in the European food and beverage processing sector is expected to grow at low levels over the next two years, the conservative nature of the industry to invest in new technologies is a major restraint for adoption of the devices.
Shanbagaraman said that examples of the technology include wireless sensors that are attached to a remote computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA) to report problems or defects in the production line, which enables any data pertaining to handling, filling and packaging immediately relayed to the supervisor for instant decision making.
Wireless GPS connectivity, he continued, can also be used to monitor the condition of fragile articles during transportation, as well as identifying the exact location of the consignment.
The process and automation market analyst said other critical applications for the devices include temperature, pressure, yield, humidity, force, acidity and Ph measurement during fermentation, sterilization and pasteurization processes:
“Employing wireless sensors in the clean in place (CIP) monitoring has brought significant cost savings of up to $5,000 per installation in large scale beverage manufacturers,” claims Shanbagaraman.
He added that the use of wireless devices in robotic applications reduces manual errors and provides flexibility in the operation.
“Robotics employ wireless devices in applications such as palletization, thickness measurement, sizing of the food item, and controlling the robotics arm movement in loading and packing food products,” explained Shanbagaraman.
He said that it estimated that almost 50 per cent of a processed food product’s price is attached to its packaging, but with the adoption of wireless technology over 25 to 50 per cent of damages due to inefficient packaging can be eliminated.
Shanbagaraman maintains that with equipment suppliers continuing to demonstrate the benefits of wireless technology for the European food and beverage processing industry, a growth rate of 25 per cent for the wire free market in this sector is possible by the end of 2012.