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Market Overview

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Automation plays a crucial role in simplifying the food packaging process, encompassing tasks such as food sorting and grading, packing, and overall process management. It offers an effective solution for enterprises looking to overcome various challenges, including enhancing productivity, improving yield, optimizing resource management, mitigating security risks, and enhancing asset management.

According to market estimates, the Food Automation Market is valued at USD 23.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 33.4 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.40% during the forecast period (2023-2028).

Over the past 50 years, automation has witnessed increased adoption in manufacturing plants and continues to grow steadily. The food industry has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in plant automation, making significant contributions to GDP.

With increased purchasing power and evolving lifestyles, the demand for processed goods has risen. This necessitates the implementation of automation in food manufacturing to improve processing efficiency and meet consumer demands. Additionally, advancements in computer technology, evolving consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements have heightened the importance of food quality and safety, driving the adoption of automated systems in the food industry.

Automation offers direct and indirect benefits to production lines, including reduced waste and increased speed. Indirect advantages range from improved workplace safety and precision to extended operational hours within a lower budget. Market vendors are increasingly embracing automation solutions to enhance their operational capabilities and drive efficiency.

Food processing has significantly improved the taste and shelf life of food products. Processed foods, both moderately and highly processed, are experiencing growing demand due to advancements in food processing techniques, technological innovations, and the continuous need for processed food items in the market.

However, the cost of installing and acquiring control systems for intelligent factories constitutes a considerable portion of the total lifetime cost. Frequent changes in networking and technology further increase costs, surpassing the initial investment. These factors hinder the widespread adoption of automation, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries like Brazil, where the product costs may be burdensome.

In a post-COVID-19 scenario, as the economy returns to normalcy and vendors increasingly focus on adopting automation and advanced digital solutions, the Food Automation Market is expected to experience upward growth during the forecast period.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including operational technology and software, application, end user, and region.

Segmentation by Operational Technology and Software
Distributed Control System (DCS)
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Variable-frequency Drive (VFD)
Valves and Actuators
Electric Motors
Sensors and Transmitters
Industrial Robotics
Other Technologies

Segmentation by Application
Packaging and Repackaging
Palletizing
Sorting and Grading
Processing
Other Applications

Segmentation by End User
Dairy Processing
Bakery and Confectionary
Meat, Poultry, and Seafood
Fruits and Vegetables
Beverages
Other End Users

Segmentation by Region
North America – United States and Canada
Europe – United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific – China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America
Middle East and Africa

The sensors and transmitters segment, which includes proximity sensors, pressure sensors, image sensors, flow sensors, strain gauges, and others, was the largest and fastest-growing segment in 2022, accounting for 27.8% of the revenue share. It is projected to reach USD 9,977 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the forecast period. These sensors are widely used in both discrete automation and process automation industries. Proximity sensors, in particular, play a crucial role in ensuring safety and regulatory compliance by detecting hazardous components, liquid levels in pipes and containers, and broken drills in industrial machines. Their high speed and reliability make them ideal for automation in food manufacturing and processing industries. With the increasing adoption of industrial IoT systems, sensors are becoming indispensable for driving automation across all sectors. Manufacturers are focusing on developing sensors with advanced features like environmental resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and water resistance to meet the demand for industrial automation.

In the beverages segment, which accounted for 39% of the revenue share in 2022, automation and robotic solutions have been widely adopted. This industry has embraced automation to combine slow batch production with high-speed filling and packaging operations, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Automation solutions such as autonomous robots, palletizers, and robotic arms help companies manage warehouses more effectively and minimize product damage caused by human error. Automation also plays a vital role in preventing fundamental mistakes like incorrect labeling, inappropriate handling, and mismatching products with packaging. As the beverage industry diversifies with new types and flavors of beverages, automation becomes increasingly important in meeting regulatory and safety requirements while maintaining freshness and convenience. The growing demand for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages further drives the adoption of automation solutions, as they enable manufacturers to increase production speed, improve packaging processes, and optimize warehousing. Software solutions integrated with autonomous hardware and production robots provide real-time data on process quality and efficiency, facilitating preventive maintenance.

In terms of regional trends, North America was the largest segment in 2022, accounting for 32.8% of the revenue share. It is expected to reach USD 10,980 million by 2028. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing segment, with a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period. In the United States, the growing food and beverage industry, driven by health awareness, disposable income, and urbanization, has led many companies to shift from manual processing to automation to increase output and innovate. Agriculture also plays a significant role in the US economy, contributing more than 0.7% to GDP when considering its related sectors such as food and beverage manufacturing and stores. The urbanization trend in the United States is expected to continue, with almost 90% of the population projected to live in urban areas by the midpoint of the century. This urbanization, along with population growth, drives the demand for food and beverages in the country. Similarly, in Canada, the food and beverage industry is expected to grow by over 11% by 2025, with a significant portion of food processors investing in advanced technologies. The need for secure and safe food production processes to prevent foodborne diseases has propelled the adoption of industrial robots in the Canadian market. The urban population in Canada is also increasing, with estimates suggesting that around 81.9% of the total population will live in urban areas by 2023.

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Competitive Landscape

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The food automation market exhibits a high level of competition, primarily due to the presence of key industry players such as Schneider Electric SE, Rockwell Automation Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Emerson Electric Company, ABB Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Siemens AG, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation. These prominent companies actively engage in various strategies including partnerships, product launches, innovations, investments, and acquisitions to improve their product offerings and achieve a long-term competitive edge in the market. Emphasizing sustainable growth, these players continuously strive to enhance their market presence and maintain a strong position in the highly competitive food automation market.

Key Companies Profiled in this report include ABB Limited, Emerson Electric Company, GEA Group AG, Honeywell International Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Rexnord Corporation, Rockwell Automation Inc., Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Yokogawa Electric Corporation.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In March 2023, ForgeOS successfully integrated with Rockwell’s Logix controllers and design and simulation software developed by Rockwell and READY Robotics. This integration is a significant milestone as it enables easier integration of robots and reduces the time required for deploying industrial automation solutions to the market.

In January 2023, Teway Food implemented a state-of-the-art automated solution provided by ABB. This solution included 65 IRB 360 delta robots for fast picking, 10 IRB 6700 robots, and three IRB 660 robots. Additionally, a cutting-edge 3D vision system was incorporated to aid in the identification and localization of products as they move through the production line. This upgrade was specifically designed to meet the increasing demand for compound seasoning products. Notably, Teway Food has achieved a significant milestone in the industry by becoming the first company to utilize 3D vision-assisted robot positioning for feeding production lines. These innovative solutions have greatly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of their production processes.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the duration of the study period for this market analysis?
What is the growth rate of the Food Automation Market?
What is the size of the Food Automation Market?
Which region exhibits the highest growth rate in the Food Automation Market?
Which region holds the largest share in the Food Automation Market?
Who are the key players operating in the Food Automation Market?