News
October 6, 2026
Semelog partners with Equans Digital and opens the world's first automated plant dedicated to the reuse of food containers
A world first in support of the green transition
On September 10, 2026, Semelog inaugurated the world’s first robotic washing plant in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, dedicated to the reuse of food containers for institutional food service. Operational since January 2026, this unique industrial facility provides a concrete solution to the challenges posed by phasing out single-use plastic in school cafeterias and institutional food service.
The result of six years of research and development, this project was spearheaded by 26 local governments in the Île-de-France region representing more than 2 million residents. Their goal: to pool the necessary resources to make the reuse of food containers efficient, economically viable, and accessible on a large scale.
An Industry Response to the Plastic Ban in School Cafeterias
Effective January 1, 2025, single-use plastic food containers have been banned from school cafeterias. While replacing plastic with stainless steel containers is a viable solution, their collection, washing, quality control, and return to circulation pose a major industrial challenge for local authorities.
It is precisely to meet this challenge that Semelog has designed a unique industrial model integrating the entire value chain: provision of stainless steel containers, industrial washing, storage, traceability, and quality control. At full capacity, the plant will be able to process up to 40,000 containers and lids per day—the equivalent of 160,000 meals per day—and reduce 450 metric tons of single-use plastic.
Equans Digital at the Heart of Automation for This Industry Leader
To achieve this level of performance, the plant relies on a highly innovative technological system combining automation, robotics, machine vision, artificial intelligence, and advanced traceability.
As an industrial partner on the project, Equans Digital designed and integrated the automation systems that control all of the site’s material flows and equipment. The numerous solutions deployed coordinate the operation of 22 industrial robots and nine washing tunnels spread across a site of nearly 5,000 m².
Containers are automatically sorted, routed, washed, dried, inspected, and then prepared for return to circulation. A machine vision system powered by artificial intelligence analyses each container to detect any residues, deformations, or anomalies. Each piece of equipment also features a laser-engraved QR code, ensuring complete traceability between central kitchens, food service establishments, transportation, and the factory.
This combination of advanced robotics, industrial automation, and artificial intelligence improves quality, productivity, and food safety while reducing the physical strain of the most repetitive tasks.
Watch a video about the Semelog project
Semelog: A Model of Sustainable and Reproducible Industry
Beyond its operational performance, Semelog serves as a true industrial showcase. With nearly 36 million euros in investment, this project demonstrates that it is possible to combine economic performance, technological innovation, and a positive environmental impact.
The plant is expected to eventually create 70 local jobs—the majority of which will be through workforce integration programs—while providing a model that can be replicated in other regions facing the same ecological transition challenges. Several French and European local governments are already closely monitoring this initiative.
Equans Digital, an accelerator for the factories of the future
Through Semelog, Equans Digital demonstrates its ability to design and integrate innovative industrial solutions that combine automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, traceability, and operational monitoring.
This project provides a concrete example of how digital technologies can support public and industrial stakeholders in building more sustainable, efficient, and resilient models.
Let's meet: your project, our expertise
Find out how the experts at Equans Digital support manufacturers, local governments, and infrastructure operators in their transformation projects through automation, robotics, and process digitisation. Contact us today.Let's meet: your project, our expertise
Find out how the experts at Equans Digital support manufacturers, local governments, and infrastructure operators in their transformation projects through automation, robotics, and process digitisation. Contact us today.