The three-day online course will cover the limitations and new possibilities of digitalisation to help food businesses understand how they can implement Industry 4.0 and modernise their systems.

The course is the result of a collaboration between Campden BRI Hungary, EIT Digital, the National Research Council of Italy and ELTE Faculty of Informatics to bring the industry up to date with digital transformation.

Dr András Sebők, general manager at Campden BRI Hungary and chair of R&D Expert Group at FoodDrinkEurope, said:

“Despite the food and drink sector being the largest manufacturing industry in the EU, it is far behind other industries when it comes to digital transformation. This is a big, unexploited opportunity because many of the available solutions in other industries can be adapted to solve food problems relatively easy, potentially reducing food waste and maximising profitability. To maintain its position as a global powerhouse, the sector must reposition itself for an Industry 4.0 world. This requires digitally-minded leadership.”

The course, held on 1-3 June, will feature experts of cutting-edge research and experienced professionals of food processing to deliver a comprehensive outline of digitalisation in the food industry. It will include:

• An overview of Industry 4.0 and digitalisation and how they apply to the food processing sector
• Insights on using technology to develop new products and processes
• Hands-on experience with essential digital techniques such as data collection and analysis, and
• A detailed breakdown of IoT (Internet of Things) systems, artificial intelligence, digital twinning, additive manufacturing, and robotics.

Sebők has identified that a lack of training on digital solutions is the reason why the food industry is behind on its uptake of Industry 4.0 and the use of big data processing.

He added:

“The real risk is that the industry will be limited by a lack of skilled people. Current employees need training in this area so that they can implement digital solutions, and managers need to convey the digitalisation message to staff. This is exactly why we developed this course.”

The course – ‘Digitalisation and Industry 4.0 in Food Processing’ – is most suited to food industry professionals who want to learn about new possibilities with digitalisation and Industry 4.0, and digital solution providers who need to understand the specific problems, needs and requirements of the food processing sector. Those interested can now register at the EIT Digital Professional School.