Rockwell Automation is working with FDA-approved alternative protein manufacturing facilities to help meet increasing demand in the growing sector, the company announced in a press release.
Rockwell’s goal is to help manufacturers create products that taste the same as conventional products but are less costly or similarly priced while reducing the draw on natural resources. The company is using its automation technology to accomplish the goal.
Scaling production can be a notable challenge for alternative protein manufacturers. However, technology that collects, records, and analyzes data in product development stages can allow for improved testing and modeling. This is where Rockwell’s automation solutions are fitting into the equation.
Rockwell technology, including the PlantPAx modern distributor control system and Factory Talk Batch software, is helping producers move from manual testing to automation, the company says. Instead of testing hundreds of batches for product effectiveness, manufacturers can use technology to find the product option that is most nutritious, profitable, and repeatable. This in turn, can help producers save time and cost.
Automation can benefit alternative protein manufacturing at nearly every part of the supply chain, including raw materials, processing, waste minimization, byproduct extraction, and packaging of finished products, Rockwell notes.
Consumer awareness about health, sustainability, and ethical concerns are driving the alternative protein market to experience 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2032, according to a 2024 Global Market Insights report.
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Manufacturers must ensure their production methods are effective and efficient to keep up with increasing demand, and Rockwell Automation looks to play a key role in operations with its technology-centered approach.
