- Collaboration between administrations, companies, research centers and investors are key for the consolidation of a competitive and sustainable agri-food hub, according to the Agro-Food technology watch study.
- Led by World Capital Barcelona’s The Collider, in collaboration with Vall Companys Group, Zyrcular Foods and IRTA, the study was released at the Mobile World Congress and features the insights of thirty relevant experts on the subject
28 February, 2022
Barcelona, February 28, 2022 – The Agro-food Technology Watch Report, a study by Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s The Collider innovation program, was released this morning at the MWCB booth in the Mobile World Congress. The study features contributions from Spain’s main experts of the innovation ecosystem, from both the private and public sector. The study underlines the importance of joining efforts in the sector in order to consolidate Catalonia and Spain as an agro-food tech hub of reference at European level.
The Agro-food Technology Watch Report aims to become a beacon report for the agrofood sector and its huge and complex ‘farm to fork’ value chain: from agriculture and livestock, through food and beverage processing, to final consumption. This is a 38,205 million € revenue sector in Catalonia, thus leading Catalonia’s industrial sector and contributing 16.28% to the region’s GDP. “The digitization of the sector will strengthen the international competitiveness of our agri-food industry. We have a mature innovation ecosystem, which is a benchmark in Europe, and excellent scientific production. If we combine both factors, we have the conditions to become the next European Food Valley”, says Oscar Sala, director of The Collider.
The document, which features the contributions of Damm, Europastry, Bayer and the Basque Culinary Center representatives, is structured in three blocks:
Trends and innovations in agriculture and animal husbandry
According to United Nations forecasts, the world population will grow up to 8.6 billion people by 2030 and 10 billion by 2050. “More than ever, the integration of the technology ecosystem in production systems, efficiency acceleration and the increase in productivity, while reducing resources and waste production, will be key for achieving sustainability in food production. The Collider and Mobile World Capital will play an important role in connecting the two spheres, boosting synergies,” said Oscar Sala during his speech.
The study features innovations such as technology for the circular management of water; the mechanization of agriculture in emerging crops such as indoor farming; biotechnology as a key for the production of alternative protein or the use of Big Data for precision agriculture.
Santiago Aliaga, CEO of Zyrcular Foods, a producer of alternative protein backed by the same shareholders as Vall Companys Group, stated that “Catalonia must follow the new trends and innovations in food and move from being a traditional protein cluster to a global protein cluster. We can become a gastronomic reference pole also in alternative protein products and be a global player. It is necessary to generate value in not only the final consumer but also the different production stages.”
Trends and innovations in the food industry
Food safety in a globalized industry is a factor to be emphasized. The increase in imports and exports as well as the purchase of raw materials from different suppliers and markets make the integration of technology for product safety and traceability essential.
The automation of processes can also contribute to food safety and the sustainability of the production system. The technification of food production currently includes emerging technologies such as synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, blockchain or even technologies from other sectors such as biosensor technologies, genomics or 3D printing. We should not forget the impact of packaging technology as key to safe, connected and sustainable products. “Technological innovation in the agro-food sector has traditionally been driven by technology and machinery manufacturers. But for our region to be driven by a more tangential and powerful innovation we need more applied research centers. Fortunately, Catalonia has excellent research and innovation groups and centers,” said Simó Alegre, director of Research and Innovation Development at IRTA.
Consumers as a source of innovation
Agro-Food Technology Watch Report’s last section highlights the role of the conscious consumer as a lever for change, a driver of innovation in the industry. The growing consumer demand for more sustainable products, with alternative protein as the undisputed protagonist, the rise of personalized nutrition and functional foods and
new consumption models based on e-commerce are the roadmap for an industry which is key in Catalonia.
According to Carlos Grau, CEO of MWC Barcelona, “2021 saw investment in this sector triple, thus reaching 695 million €. We are now laying the foundations to become one of the global powerhouses in the FoodTech ecosystem”. In this sense, promoters of the report highlight the importance of a shared strategy between the different actors to maximize the full potential of open innovation and promote and empower scientific and technological entrepreneurship within the agro-food industry.
ABOUT MOBILE WORLD CAPITAL
Mobile World Capital Barcelona is an initiative that drives the digital development of society and helps improve people’s lives globally.
With public and private support, MWCapital focuses its activity in four areas: accelerating innovation through digital entrepreneurship; transforming industry through digital technology; growing digital talent among new generations and professionals; and reflecting on the impact of technology in our society.
Together, our programs are positively transforming the economy, education and society. MWCapital hosts MWC Barcelona and founded 4 Years From Now [4YFN], the business platform for the startup community present at all MWC events worldwide.
ABOUT THE COLLIDER
The Collider, Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s innovation program, bridges the gap between science and market to create disruptive technology-based startups. To make this possible, the program fosters an entrepreneurial mindset in universities and uses the researcher-entrepreneur formula to create new high-value companies.
The program focuses on the identification and business development of highly disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, blockchain or virtual reality, connecting scientific and entrepreneurial talent.
The Collider encourages the participation of companies to launch early-stage pilots and open new lines of business, helping to increase competitiveness.
ABOUT VALL COMPANYS GROUP
Vall Companys is a family-owned agri-food group founded in 1956, leader in Spain. Supported by state-of-the-art information systems that provide connectivity and automation in the various facilities and plants, its operational model is characterized by the integration of the phases of the production process, to achieve objectives of efficiency, safety, quality, welfare, health and sustainability.
Vall Companys Group has a multidisciplinary team of specialists that, together with collaborations with other companies, as well as with research centers, universities and organizations, develops multiple research and innovation projects.
ABOUT IRTA
IRTA is the Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology, a public company of the Generalitat de Catalunya attached to the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda. It is part of the CERCA system and is the reference center for agri-food research and innovation in southern Europe. Its objectives are to promote research and technological development, and to facilitate the transfer of scientific and technological advances, seeking maximum coordination and collaboration with the public and private sectors in order to provide consumers with healthy food of the highest quality.
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