Rockwell Automation, Actemium Deploy AI to Cut Refrigeration Energy Use by 17% in Frozen Food Production

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) and PartnerNetwork member Actemium deployed an AI-driven Real-Time Coefficient of Performance (RtCOP) solution on the PlantPAx distributed control system for a major frozen french fry producer.

Rhea-AI Summary

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) and PartnerNetwork member Actemium deployed an AI-driven Real-Time Coefficient of Performance (RtCOP) solution on the PlantPAx distributed control system for a major frozen french fry producer.

RtCOP has boosted refrigeration energy efficiency by 17%, delivering about $130,000 estimated annual savings per site and reducing strain on refrigeration assets. The autonomous application acts as a virtual operator, continuously optimizing compressor, condenser and evaporator combinations using real-time data. Actemium is supporting rollout across the customer’s fleet, with KPI dashboards enabling site-to-site visibility and benchmarking of system efficiency.

Argus May 11 session

+0.61% close to close Open Argus

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News Market Reaction – ROK

On May 11, the day this news came out, ROK closed 0.61% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 11 session.

Market Context

This announcement showcases Rockwell Automation’s applied AI strategy, using its PlantPAx DCS and Ac...

Analysis

This announcement showcases Rockwell Automation’s applied AI strategy, using its PlantPAx DCS and Actemium’s RtCOP to improve industrial refrigeration efficiency by 17% and save about $130,000 per site annually. It reinforces the company’s broader AI narrative seen in prior smart manufacturing reports. Investors may track adoption across additional plants, measurable KPI improvements, and how such deployments support growth already reflected in shares trading close to their 52-week high.

Key Figures

Energy efficiency gain: 17% Annual savings per site: $130,000 Refrigeration power share: 70%

Energy efficiency gain

17%

RtCOP improvement in refrigeration energy efficiency

Annual savings per site

$130,000

Estimated yearly energy cost savings for each site using RtCOP

Refrigeration power share

70%

Industrial refrigeration share of a plant’s electricity consumption (up to)

Previous AI Reports

4 past events · Latest: Nov 13

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1. Nov 13

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2. Aug 13

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   Released smart manufacturing cybersecurity report highlighting strong planned AI adoption.

3. Jun 24

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4. Jun 03

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   Reported high AI/ML investment rates and growing digital transformation focus.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

distributed control system, key performance indicator, kpi

3 terms

distributed control system technical

"Its PlantPAx® modern distributed control system (DCS) powers a new autonomous AI-application"

A distributed control system is a network of small automated controllers placed throughout a factory, power plant or other industrial site that monitor sensors and operate equipment while feeding information to a central operator display. For investors, it matters because this architecture improves uptime, efficiency and safety like having many local traffic officers coordinated by a central dispatch—impacting production costs, capital spending, maintenance needs and exposure to cyber or upgrade risks.

key performance indicator technical

"Key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards enable site-to-site visibility into performance"

A key performance indicator (KPI) is a specific, measurable number that shows how well a company is achieving an important objective—examples include sales growth, profit margin, customer retention, or production uptime. Investors treat KPIs like a car’s dashboard gauges: they provide a quick, comparable snapshot of a company’s operational health and progress toward goals, helping assess management performance, spot trends, and make informed buy/sell decisions.

kpi technical

"Key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards enable site-to-site visibility into performance"

A KPI is a measurable metric a company tracks to show progress toward a specific business goal, such as sales growth, customer retention, profit margins, or production speed. Investors treat KPIs like a car’s dashboard: they reveal whether management is driving the company in the right direction, help compare companies on the same scale, and flag strengths or problems that could affect future returns.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Autonomous PlantPAx-powered application continuously improves refrigeration systems to help reduce energy costs and equipment strain

MILWAUKEE, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, is helping make one of the most energy-intensive systems in frozen food manufacturing more efficient. Its PlantPAx^® modern distributed control system (DCS) powers a new autonomous AI-application developed by PartnerNetwork™ member Actemium which continuously selects energy‑efficient operating configurations for industrial refrigeration equipment.

Actemium created the solution, known as Real-Time Coefficient of Performance (RtCOP), for a large producer of frozen french fry products. To date, RtCOP helps the food producer increase energy efficiency by 17%, delivering an estimated $130,000 annual savings per site. The solution also reduces strain on refrigeration assets, helping improve long‑term equipment reliability.

RtCOP functions like an always-on virtual operator, continuously analyzing system capacities, efficiencies and environmental conditions in real time to determine and implement energy-efficient combinations of compressors, condensers and evaporators.

"Autonomous optimization can help food producers conserve energy, reduce costs and ease demands on their workforce," said Jim Gillis, general manager, Actemium Atlantic Canada. "Energy‑based equipment ranking that is performed continuously and consistently is something human operators simply can't do in real time. This solution has the potential to transform refrigeration across food manufacturing."

The solution runs on Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx DCS, which provides real-time data access, processing speed and system transparency to enable continuous, autonomous optimization.

Industrial refrigeration accounts for up to 70% of a plant's electricity consumption, making it one of the largest opportunities for energy optimization in food manufacturing. Historically, these systems are operated to meet cooling demand rather than maximize energy efficiency, in part because operators lack the time and tools to continuously evaluate performance shifts.

"Solutions like RtCOP are increasingly needed as food producers face skills shortages, particularly in specialized areas like refrigeration, and pressure to operate more efficiently and sustainably," said Kris Dornan, Commercial Marketing Manager, Rockwell Automation. "Technologies like the PlantPAx modern DCS make AI-driven autonomous applications possible, and experienced partners like Actemium make them happen."

Actemium is helping the food producer scale the solution across its fleet of refrigeration plants. Key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards enable site-to-site visibility into performance and benchmarking of system efficiency. Read more about Actemium's journey with Rockwell Automation here.

Learn more about Rockwell Automation's suite of products for food and beverage production here.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025. To learn more about how we are bringing Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

About Actemium
Actemium delivers bespoke solutions and services to clients across 40 countries. Its multi-disciplinary network combines the expertise of 400 local business units with a global approach to create value throughout the entire industrial life cycle. Actemium's 24,400 experts share with their clients the strong conviction that industry is key to building a sustainable world and strive to make a positive contribution to global performance. For more information, visit www.actemium.com.

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SOURCE Rockwell Automation, Inc.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What AI solution did Rockwell Automation (ROK) and Actemium deploy on May 11, 2026?

Rockwell Automation and Actemium deployed the Real-Time Coefficient of Performance (RtCOP) AI application on Rockwell’s PlantPAx distributed control system. According to Rockwell Automation, RtCOP autonomously optimizes industrial refrigeration performance using real-time data from compressors, condensers and evaporators.

How much energy savings does Rockwell Automation’s RtCOP deliver in frozen food production?

RtCOP has increased refrigeration energy efficiency by 17% for a large frozen french fry producer. According to Rockwell Automation, this improvement delivers an estimated $130,000 annual savings per site while also reducing strain on refrigeration assets and supporting long-term equipment reliability.

How does Rockwell Automation’s PlantPAx system support the RtCOP AI application?

The PlantPAx modern DCS provides real-time data access, processing speed and transparency needed for continuous autonomous optimization. According to Rockwell Automation, these capabilities enable RtCOP to function as an always-on virtual operator, constantly analyzing capacities, efficiencies and environmental conditions for energy-efficient operation.

Why is Rockwell Automation’s RtCOP important for frozen food manufacturers and investors in ROK stock?

RtCOP addresses one of the most energy-intensive processes in food manufacturing: industrial refrigeration. According to Rockwell Automation, refrigeration can account for up to 70% of a plant’s electricity use, making energy optimization solutions strategically relevant for operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

How is Actemium scaling Rockwell Automation’s RtCOP solution across refrigeration plants?

Actemium is helping the frozen food producer roll out RtCOP across its fleet of refrigeration plants. According to Rockwell Automation, key performance indicator dashboards provide site-to-site visibility and benchmarking, allowing operators to compare efficiency and track improvements across multiple locations in real time.

What operational challenge does Rockwell Automation’s RtCOP help address in the food industry?

RtCOP helps address skills shortages and limited operator bandwidth in specialized areas like refrigeration. According to Rockwell Automation, the autonomous application performs continuous energy-based equipment ranking that human operators typically cannot maintain in real time, supporting more efficient and sustainable plant operation.