Hamburg, Germany – A major European food processing company has successfully integrated the ABB SPIIT13 automation module into its production lines, achieving a 22% reduction in energy use and a 18% improvement in production throughput, the company announced this week. The implementation marks a key milestone in the plant’s sustainability goals and highlights how the ABB SPIIT13 delivers tangible value for industries with strict quality and efficiency requirements.
Addressing Food Processing’s Unique Challenges
Food processing facilities face rigorous standards for hygiene, temperature control, and traceability—all of which demand reliable automation. Prior to adopting the ABB SPIIT13, the Hamburg-based plant relied on outdated control systems that often required manual adjustments, leading to inconsistent product quality and higher energy waste.
“Our biggest pain point was maintaining precise temperature levels across our refrigerated production zones,” said Thomas Becker, Plant Operations Director at the food processing company. “The old system would drift by 2-3°C, forcing us to discard batches that didn’t meet safety standards. With the ABB SPIIT13, we’ve locked in temperature accuracy to within ±0.5°C, and the module’s real-time data tracking lets us trace every step of production—something our auditors love.”
How the ABB SPIIT13 Delivered Results
The SPIIT13’s integration focused on three core areas:
- Precision Control: The module’s advanced signal processing capabilities monitor temperature, pressure, and conveyor speed in real time, triggering automatic adjustments to keep processes within optimal ranges. This eliminated human error and reduced product waste by 12%.
- Energy Efficiency: By syncing with the plant’s energy management system, the SPIIT13 optimizes equipment runtime—for example, reducing fan speed in refrigeration units when demand is low. This cut the plant’s monthly energy bills by approximately €4,500.
- Scalability: As the plant expands its product line to include plant-based alternatives, the SPIIT13’s flexible architecture has allowed for easy integration of new sensors and equipment without overhauling the entire control system.
ABB’s Commitment to Customer Success
“Seeing the SPIIT13 drive real, measurable improvements for this food processing plant is exactly why we design our automation solutions with customer needs at the center,” said Jurgen Schmidt, ABB’s Regional Sales Director for Northern Europe. “Every industry has unique challenges, and the SPIIT13’s adaptability makes it a powerful tool for businesses looking to boost efficiency while meeting sustainability targets.”
The plant plans to expand the use of ABB SPIIT13 modules to its other facilities in France and Poland by early 2025. For more information on how the ABB SPIIT13 supports food processing and other industries, visit ABB’s customer success page.
