On January 14, 2025, the latest list of Lighthouse Factories was released — and Haitian proudly made the cut!

Often referred to as the “Oscar Awards” of smart manufacturing, the Lighthouse Factory recognition represents the highest global benchmark in digitalized and intelligent production. Haitian is the world’s first and only soy sauce producer to receive this prestigious title.

What Does It Mean to Be a “Lighthouse Factory”?

A Lighthouse Factory is recognized as one of the most advanced factories in the world. Earning this distinction signifies that a company operates at the pinnacle of Industry 4.0, leading globally in intelligent and digital manufacturing. As of now, there are only 189 Lighthouse Factories worldwide. Most of China’s entries are concentrated in traditional technology and manufacturing sectors, with only three from the food industry — and Haitian proudly stands among them.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this “Lighthouse Factory” a beacon for the seasoning industry.

“AI Soybean Face Recognition” Technology Ensuring Every One of 2.5 Trillion Soybeans Is Premium Quality

The key ingredient in authentic Chinese soy sauce is soybeans — and only the finest soybeans can produce exceptional flavor. Ensuring the consistent quality of each bean is therefore crucial. Haitian uses at least 2.5 trillion high-quality natural soybeans every year, with over 200 inspection parameters. But how can each bean be screened with such precision?

Premium quality soybeans

AI Soybean Face Recognition technology

AI Soybean Face Recognition technology — an AI-powered image recognition system that analyzes every one of the 2.5 trillion soybean through 360° ultra-high-definition imaging, identifying and removing defective or impure beans with pinpoint accuracy. The result: only thin-skinned, golden, and plump soybeans are selected — the perfect foundation for authentic soy sauce brewing. With digital intelligence at the raw material stage, Haitian ensures excellence right from the start.

AI-powered smart screening of soybeans

Intelligent Manufacturing Raising the Bar for Food Safety

With a history of more than 400 years, Haitian has always upheld the authentic craftsmanship of Chinese soy sauce. The process is highly intricate — 119 production steps, 494 quality control checkpoints, and 2,000 inspection parameters — each influencing the final flavor.

At Haitian’s certified Lighthouse Factory, fully automated production lines have greatly improved efficiency. Every drop of soy sauce is transported through 316L food-grade stainless steel pipelines to enclosed, sterile filling workshops — no exposure, no contamination and no leakage throughout the entire process.

  316L food-grade stainless steel tubing 

Meanwhile, online NIR (Near-Infrared) spectral analysis continuously monitors product quality in real time, acting as an ever-vigilant “safety inspector” to ensure that every bottle reaching consumers’ tables meets the highest standards of safety and taste.

NIR (Near-Infrared) spectral analysis Technology

“AI-powered Electronic Nose”Guaranteeing the Same Rich Aroma in Every Drop

Haitian remains committed to traditional sunlight fermentation, which gives authentic Chinese soy sauce its deep, layered aroma — with over 100 distinct scent notes, including acidic, malty, caramel, and umami tones.

Sunlight fermentation

The final taste of a dish is closely tied to the flavor of the soy sauce. Ensuring consistent flavor quality has traditionally relied on the discerning senses of seasoned master brewers. However, even experienced technicians may perceive subtle differences in flavor profiles. So how can we guarantee that every bottle of soy sauce meets the same high standard? The answer lies in digital intelligence. By transforming the craftsmanship and sensory expertise of master brewers into precise data metrics, we have made this consistency possible. Through an AI-powered electronic nose equipped with an intelligent olfactory analysis system, over 100 aroma compounds are detected and analyzed to build a comprehensive soy sauce aroma database. Advanced algorithms then perform intelligent grading of the soy sauce’s aroma, enabling rapid and accurate aroma profiling. With this technology, the once-intangible aroma of soy sauce becomes measurable and controllable — ensuring consistent quality and flavor excellence！ No matter when or where it’s enjoyed, every consumer can say with satisfaction: “That’s the taste!”

AI-powered Electronic Nose

Digital Intelligence—Bringing Haitian Closer to Every Consumer

For decades, Haitian has evolved from automation to informatization, and now to full-scale digital and intelligent manufacturing. Today, the Company has achieved end-to-end AI-enabled automation. The AI Precision Filling System not only ensures accurate volume control but also enables real-time monitoring, online adjustments, and self-optimization — achieving a production speed of 52,000 bottles per hour.

Fully Enclosed, Sterile Workshops

AI-powered Precision Filling

Each bottle carries a unique digital traceability code, protected by multiple layers of intelligent encryption, allowing consumers to verify authenticity and trace the entire production journey. The AI Vision System ensures that every bottle is flawless, performing 100% real-time appearance inspections and automatically removing any defective products, guaranteeing that every bottle of soy sauce delivered is in perfect condition. Meanwhile, the intelligent warehousing system maintains precise temperature and humidity controls to preserve freshness. From order confirmation to outbound dispatch, the entire process can be completed in as little as 120 seconds, ensuring that every bottle reaching consumers’ hands is fresh and of the highest quality.

One Bottle, One Code

Haitian’s Smart Warehouse System

Digital intelligence now permeates every aspect of Haitian’s production: from lights-out purification workshops and continuous cooking systems, to AI algorithmic models, intelligent control strategies, digital twin systems, to single-glass photovoltaic energy solutions……

A small bottle of soy sauce embodies a story of continuous technological innovation and the ever-evolving power of digital intelligence. What remains unchanged, however, is Haitian’s unwavering commitment to authentic brewing craftsmanship, and to its original mission: putting consumers first — ensuring food that is safer, healthier, and more trustworthy.

We will keep striving to offer safe, tasty, and premium products that win the hearts of consumers, bringing the authentic flavors of China to every corner of the world — uniting people everywhere with the taste of China.