Food and drink manufacturing is entering a decisive new phase in its digital evolution, and the narrative emerging ahead of Anuga FoodTec 2027 makes that shift unmistakable.

Data is becoming the organising principle of plant design, operational decision‑making and supplier relationships. As the sector moves toward fully networked, sensor‑rich and AI‑supported environments, the traditional role of the mechanical engineer is being re‑written. What was once a machinery‑led relationship is transforming into a long‑term partnership centred on integration, optimisation and continuous improvement.

This transition is particularly significant for medium‑sized manufacturers, who are now under pressure to adopt data‑based technologies to remain competitive.

Roland Thiemann, director of Anuga FoodTec, notes that the importance of digital production systems is rising sharply for this segment, and the 2027 edition of the show will demonstrate how these technologies are being applied in practice.

The shift begins at the field level, where modern sensor systems provide far more than conventional measurement values. Today’s sensors deliver status data, self‑diagnostics and standardised communication via IO‑Link or OPC UA, enabling machines to become transparent, interoperable components of a wider digital ecosystem.

This transparency is already reshaping operations in dairies, breweries and meat processing plants. Filling line performance, cooling chain temperature profiles and cleaning cycles can be continually recorded and linked with planning and quality data.

The result is a production environment where deviations are detected earlier, system states are understood more precisely and processes can be stabilised with greater accuracy. Decisions increasingly rely on real‑time data rather than worst‑case assumptions, supporting both resource efficiency and consistent product quality.

As this data layer expands, mechanical engineers and plant manufacturers are stepping into new roles. Carola K. Herbst of the German Agricultural Society (DLG) argues that the real value lies not in data collection but in intelligent linking and interpretation across the entire value chain. This is where engineering firms are now competing.

At Anuga FoodTec, companies such as GEA, Krones and Bühler will present platform solutions that merge heterogeneous data sources into meaningful analyses. Their systems enable targeted improvements in energy use, plant performance and product quality, while providing full‑line transparency in filling, packaging and processing environments. These firms are no longer simply selling machines; they are selling predictability, stability and optimisation.

Artificial intelligence is also moving from pilot projects into operational reality. Fraunhofer IVV’s work on adaptive cleaning illustrates how AI can replace rigid, worst‑case cleaning cycles with needs‑based processes informed by real‑time optical sensors. Critical areas can be cleaned more intensively while less contaminated zones receive lighter treatment, reducing water and chemical use and shortening downtime. This is the kind of applied innovation that signals AI’s shift from experimentation to everyday production.

The supporting programme at Anuga FoodTec reflects the complexity of this transition. Under the theme “Navigate Complexity. Smart. Safe. Sustainable.”, the event will explore climate‑neutral production, AI risk management and resilient supply chains through keynotes, panel discussions and interactive formats. These discussions underscore that digitalisation is not merely a technological upgrade but a structural transformation of how factories operate and how engineering expertise is deployed.

For manufacturers, the implications are far‑reaching. Operators will increasingly act as data interpreters, engineers will become integration partners and investment cycles will shift toward digital infrastructure. Skills development will be essential, and supplier relationships will evolve into long‑term collaborations focused on continuous optimisation rather than periodic equipment purchases.

Anuga FoodTec 2027 plans to reveal new models of partnership, new layers of intelligence and a new understanding of what production excellence looks like in a data‑driven industry.

Anuga FoodTec takes place on 23 to 26 February 2027 in Cologne.