DEC 30, 2020

Digitalization challenges us to rethink


These days, it’s almost impossible to get around digitalization. We encounter it every day and can hardly imagine life without it. But this doesn’t just mean smartphones and computers; they are just a small part of the whole. Everyone has a different understanding of what digitalization means in business processes. So, what do we mean by the term “digitalization”? In the conventional sense, digitalization describes the transformation of society through the massive use of technology in everyday life.


Why is digitalization so important for the food industry?

According to forecasts, the world population will increase by 0.8 billion people by 2030. This corresponds to a growth of approximately 10%. Accordingly, the demand for food will also increase. This is putting food manufacturers in a tight spot. They have to expand their product range to meet the growing demand for a comprehensive offering. To ensure greater variety in the product range, production is undoubtedly being ramped up. Of course, this also has an impact on the carbon footprint, as food generates significant CO2 emissions through its production, distribution, and disposal.  In addition, it is feared that there will also be increased food waste. Consumers’ desire for more and more variety in the product range means that many products are left lying around and discarded. Preventing this is a task that is to be solved in particular through the use of digitalization.

Technical solutions for reducing food waste are already being made available. This includes the LEROMA platform, which aims to make the procurement process for raw materials simpler and more efficient. However, the goal should not only be to balance the increase in food waste. To go beyond balance and continue to reduce waste in the future, new digital solutions must continue to be offered in the food industry.

Companies need to adapt

In the private sector, digitalization primarily means networking individual processes. It enables a significant increase in efficiency and thus an improvement in profitability. For example, new technology can make internal processes faster and more cost-effective than before.

However, digitalization is not only taking place at the procurement level but also in resource management, sales, and marketing. In the food industry, however, there are very few companies that have worked out their sales processes digitally.

Yet it is becoming increasingly important to adapt in order not to lose one’s market share. Let’s take a look at conventional dairies, for example. They have defined their processes, usually through decades of experience, to best serve the demand for dairy products. However, consumer demand has changed dramatically, especially in recent years, and substitute goods have come into focus. To remain competitive, dairy companies need to expand their expertise and invest in product development of dairy alternatives. The transition hurts and is a risk, but it also offers opportunities if you know the industry’s forecasts and act on them. Examples like these probably exist in almost every industry, and future trends will compound this issue.

To be able to respond to product trends and technical solutions, companies must become aware of their opportunities. Hardly any businesses at the beginning of the value chain use digital platforms and very few operate outside the established network. This is despite the fact that digitalization is not just about keeping up with trends. It can also help reduce food waste through efficiencies in raw material management.

Buying better and faster to reduce waste. This is what we want to enable with LEROMA`s platform by simplifying essential processes at the beginning of the value chain.

Our search engine provides the food processing industry with a unified global database where it is easy to find the raw materials and resources they need. LEROMA thus forms a digital bridge between raw material suppliers and raw material buyers. In this way, we also want to open up new avenues for those who have been forced to rethink faster than planned by Covid-19. We offer a new way to reach customers. In addition, the surplus exchange helps the industry to use its resources more sustainably and to be able to sell residual items instead of recycling them.

Let‘s simplify the future of change!

Jun 22, 2023

Sustainable innovation in oats: The importance of oat protein

Protein, an essential component of the diet, plays an important role in building and repairing tissues in the body. Plant-based proteins are becoming increasingly popular, and oats are proving to be a remarkable source of high-quality plant-based protein. In this article, we will focus on Oat Protein and take a closer look at how oatmeal is turned into an outstanding source of protein.

Mar 27, 2023

Dutch Gum: The environmentally friendly answer to the waste problem of coffee production

Coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world, with 2.6 billion cups consumed daily. However, its production also results in a significant amount of waste, around 20 million tonnes per year from coffee cherries. This is both damaging to the environment and a problem for manufacturers, who have to dispose of about 45% of the coffee cherries (also called cascara). For this reason, the company PectCof (Pectin from Coffee) has found a sustainable solution to this problem.

Feb 16, 2023

Yuzu fruit: Understanding its potential as a key ingredient in the food industry

Yuzu, a citrus fruit native to East Asia, has gained popularity in recent years as an innovative ingredient in the global food industry. With a unique and complex flavor profile that combines pungency and bitterness with a hint of sweetness, yuzu offers a wide range of culinary applications. This has made it a popular ingredient for food technologists looking to create innovative and exciting new dishes. From traditional uses in East Asian cuisine to modern fusion dishes, yuzu is a fruit that deserves attention.

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