Industrial robot sales in food and beverage processing now represent the second largest growth sector behind automotive, according to the Rapid Growth Ahead for Industrial Robots in Food and Beverage Processing infographic released by PMMI.

As the Earth’s population is expected to grow by more than two billion people in the next 30 years according to a 2017 United Nations report, it will become more imperative to address the sustainability of food processing. Population growth translates to higher required food output and consumers—specifically millennials—have concerns surrounding the environmental impact of today’s food supply chain. This leads them to seek out brands that proactively address the matter.