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Robots Emerge as Key Automated Technology for Brands

Robot technology is on the rise for CPGs, and related technologies like collaborative robots are carving out their own corner of the market.

CPGs are finding benefits to robot-related technologies like collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots.
CPGs are finding benefits to robot-related technologies like collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots.
PMMI Business Intelligence, 2022 The Future of Automation in Packaging and Processing

The robot invasion is underway for consumer packaged goods companies, and the benefits they could bring are far from fiction.

PMMI Business Intelligence’s 2022 report, “The Future of Automation in Packaging and Processing,” predicts robots will be one of the “next big things” in automation over the next five years, backed by a record 39,708 units sold in 2021.

Adding up to $2 billion in sales, 2021’s record was a 28% year-on-year rise over 2020, and a 14% increase over 2017, the previous record year. Over half (58%) of sales in 2021 went into non-automotive sectors, and the food and consumer goods sectors saw a 29% year-on-year rise.

Outlook for robots and cobots

Robots have increased consistency and accuracy in plants and have been vital in keeping lines running when staff availability has been poor.

They are seen as the best fit for helping to resolve labor issues, with over 90% of CPGs surveyed for the report saying robots and cobots (with emphasis on robots) have helped to address labor shortages in their plants.

That’s not to mention other areas ripe for robotics, such as quality control with weight and label checking.

Most CPGs think cobots would offer a small improvement or no improvement to labor shortages.Most CPGs think cobots would offer a small improvement or no improvement to labor shortages.Collaborative robots (cobots), on the other hand, tend to lack the speed CPGs need. Over 50% of surveyed CPGs think cobots could only have a small benefit (51%) or no benefit (7%) to addressing labor shortages.

Cobots do have the upper hand in installation. Robots are more difficult to install in a plant than cobots, which could be why more respondents (12%) think robots would have no benefit.

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Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in life sciences packaging