SMC's solutions for the protein industry

SMC solutions are designed to cover a wide range of protein production activities, including meat, poultry, and seafood, as well as dairy proteins and plant-based protein manufacturing. Their automation components can be applied across processing, portioning, packaging, and supporting systems—especially in areas where hygiene, reliability, and consistent performance are critical.

Downtime can be reduced through automation by enabling predictive maintenance, speeding up cleaning routines, and improving the robustness of key components. When hygienic design is paired with monitoring technologies, manufacturers can spot performance irregularities early and perform maintenance before failures disrupt production.

Protein processing puts equipment under intense strain due to regular washdowns, chemical exposure, and fluctuating temperatures. Choosing more durable components reduces replacement frequency, helps avoid unplanned stoppages, and decreases maintenance labour—lowering the total cost of ownership over the full lifespan of the machine.

SMC’s hygienic automation supports sustainability by improving cleaning efficiency during routine washdowns. Thanks to hygienic design elements that reduce soil build-up and simplify surface cleaning, wash cycles can be shortened and may require less water and fewer harsh chemicals. This helps reduce environmental impact while still meeting demanding food safety and hygiene standards in tough production settings.

Yes. If automation components incorporate monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, they can produce traceable records that strengthen audit preparedness. This helps manufacturers demonstrate effective control of critical parameters during internal reviews, third-party audits, and customer inspections.

By monitoring compressed air systems, manufacturers can keep air quality consistent at the point of use. Early detection of problems such as clogged filters or falling pressure helps limit contamination risk and supports preventive maintenance in line with food safety management requirements.

In protein production, OEE is often limited by routine sanitation shutdowns, harsh washdown conditions, and strict quality standards that leave little room for variation. Automation can improve OEE by keeping performance stable between cleaning cycles, reducing unplanned stops caused by moisture exposure or wear linked to contamination, and delivering repeatable handling that helps protect product quality. With monitoring that highlights early indicators—such as pressure losses that affect actuation—maintenance can be planned around production schedules, enabling processors to shorten downtime, reduce rework, and maintain throughput across shifts.

Yes. A wide range of SMC automation and air preparation solutions can be fitted to existing machines, allowing manufacturers to improve hygiene, monitoring, or efficiency without needing a complete machine redesign.