Souper Green: Pioneering Robotics to Revolutionise Soup and Sauce Manufacturing in the UK
Peterborough, United Kingdom - April 24, 2023 - Olympus Automation Ltd. (OAL) is proud to announce the launch of its £2 million Souper Green project in partnership with Solina and supported by Marks and Spencer PLC. The project, supported by grant funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA) programme, aims to transform the soup and sauce manufacturing industry by deploying an innovative APRIL™ Robotics Cooking Cell, which promises significant energy and carbon savings. The project's industrial demonstration will take place in Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
The Souper Green project is part of the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA) programme- Phase 4 project, funded under the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) IEEA through its Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. It seeks to fund industrial scale demonstrations of novel technologies that can reduce energy consumption, maximise resource efficiency, and cut carbon emissions. It is managed by the Carbon Trust with support from Jacobs and Innovate UK KTN.
APRIL™ Robotics Cooking Cell, a fully automated robotic food processing system, is designed to improve Clean in Place (CIP) processes and utilises OAL's Steam Infusion technology. By incorporating a lightweight cooking vessel, the system allows for more efficient heating operations and easier cleaning, leading to an impressive 80% energy savings from production trials. Additionally, the system's highly accurate robotic ingredient weighing system minimises ingredient waste.
The Souper Green project builds on OAL's 2015 "APRIL" program, which aimed to develop the world's first robotic-based food processing system. A pilot plant was successfully installed at the University of Lincoln's National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) at Holbeach. A development system (TRL7) is now operational at Go-Tan, a Dutch food manufacturer, producing 2.4 tonnes per hour (T/Hr) of chilli sauces.
The UK demonstrator will replicate the Go-Tan equipment with specific CIP enhancements, aiming to deliver a fully operational 2T/Hr production unit (TRL9).
Retailer M&S endorses the project as part of its Plan A commitment to support suppliers in reducing their carbon footprint and reaching net zero.
Solina, a food manufacturer and supplier to Marks and Spencer plc, plans to install OAL's robotic food processing system to significantly reduce energy consumption, enhance efficiency, and create a more sustainable production environment. For more information about the Souper Green project, please visit https://programmes.carbontrust.com/ieea.
In addition, OAL will be showcasing their automation systems at the Smart Manufacturing Showcase 2023 on Thursday 14 September at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing in Holbeach, United Kingdom. The event will provide an excellent opportunity for interested parties to learn more about OAL's innovations and the future of food manufacturing. For more information on the event registrations, follow us on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oalgroup
About the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA)
The IEEA is a four year programme funded through the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), a £1 billion fund announced in the UK Prime Minister’s ten point plan for a green industrial revolution, to accelerate the commercialisation of low carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings, and industry. £8 million in funding have been made available to fund demonstration projects through Phases 3 and 4 to demonstrate 15 innovations.
More information on: carbontrust.com/ieea & https://www.carbontrust.com/news-and-insights/news/pioneering-energy-efficiency-tech-wins-government-grants
DESNZ IEEA: Proud Facilitators and Collaborators
