About the S3 project
S3 (Smart people, Smart process, Smart factory) is a new project that will collect and interpret manufacturing process data in real time, outpacing the previous averaged models we have had to use for, amongst other things, waste management and greenhouse gas emission footprinting.
At Raynor Foods, a complex web of sensors and other monitoring devices are linked together to provide a constantly updated record of every event in the manufacturing process. This will be the first time the industry has ever had such close, unit-level monitoring data available at such speed.
The data will then be utilised by Artificial Intelligence (AI)-supported analytical tools to provide second-by-second feedback on processes, with a particular emphasis on food losses and energy consumption. Being able to see waste occurring and track its cause instantly will give production management a new level of insight and control – creating a living carbon footprint.
More radically, S3 factories will be able to present the data gained from real-time monitoring in a ‘gamified’ form, where it can be instantly understood and acted on by factory floor staff, and where their refinements can be evaluated and earn them ‘in-game’ rewards.
Climate change is causing disruption of supply chains, workforce and distribution.
Carbon is heavily embedded in food and has a significant environmental impact. When food is decomposed it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
Why?
Food manufacturers are at the heart of our food system, converting ingredients into products, with many resources flowing through their facilities.
These systems are under pressure from climate change making the food system insecure.