With Earth’s population on pace to surpass 10 billion by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, companies are looking for sustainable solutions to feed the growing number of people. One option is to produce alternative protein, a market that’s projected to surge to a $25.2 billion industry by 2029, according to a report from global market research firm MarketsandMarkets. The 9.9% increase can be attributed to consumer demand for eco-friendly, health-conscious options.
Alternative proteins can be made from plants or bugs, cultivated from animal cells, or produced via fermentation.
Rockwell Automation, a provider of industrial automation and information technology, was approached by a cultivated meat production facility that needed to scale up operations. The solution included a distributed control system, advanced controllers, and software applications.
To further understand the context behind this collaboration, it’s important to explain what cultivated meat is and why it’s gaining momentum in the food industry.
What is cultivated meat?
Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown meat, is produced directly from animal cells. The process includes using the basic elements needed to build muscle and fat and enables the same biological process that happens inside an animal’s body.
It’s a newer form of alternative protein and can achieve an identical cellular structure to conventional meat. It uses less water and has the potential to emit less greenhouse emissions than its traditional counterpart, making it a sustainable candidate to feed the world’s increasing population.
According to a report from global consulting firm Precedence Research, North America dominated the cultured meat market with a market share of 37% in 2023 due to significant R&D investments in advanced technology. In the cultured meat market, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning methods analyze data to forecast trends, enhance product specifications, and shorten time to launch new products, the report said.
Unfamiliar territory
Rockwell Automation said they were in “unchartered waters” with this client as nothing had ever been designed at this scale for the alternative protein space. Workers would transition from growing cells at a laboratory bench to cultivating thousands of liters for mass production, forcing Rockwell Automation to quickly adapt as the processes were implemented for this client.
Plus, the items being created are designed for human consumption, so the solutions must meet industry and federal guidelines and standards.
Implementing Automation
For this client, Rockwell Automation deployed the following solutions, which work together and function as a seamless and integrated system:
· PlantPAx modern distribution: Serves as the central platform that integrates all solutions, it provides real-time insights along with enhanced cybersecurity to optimize production while reducing downtime.
· ControlLogix L85 EP: Part of the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix controller family, it’s designed for high-performance applications and features a compact design, improved processing power, and built-in communication capabilities.
· Studio Logix Designer 5000: Scalable software that designs and programs the system while maintaining control in one device. Offers increased efficiency and productivity, consistency and standardization, and flexibility to serve industries and applications of various sizes.
· FactoryTalk Batch: Software that features a human-machine interface (HMI) and supplies predictable and repeatable operations to manage and control batch processing in industrial environments. Key components include analytics and flexibility.
Rockwell Automation’s technology helps manufacturers pinpoint the alternative protein option that’s the most nutritious and repeatable, which increases the likelihood of success while saving on time and costs.
The company said its approach utilized expertise in biotech processes and automation to meet the client’s six-month timeline to produce cells as quickly as possible.
Future opportunities for cultivated meat
An area of potential growth is the addition of AI to enhance the conditions for culturing cells, which reduces expenses. However, the industry does face a major obstacle in the form of high production costs.
But this obstacle could represent an opportunity for technology suppliers, machine builders, and manufacturers of cultivated meat to collaborate and solve.
