Hub4Food
Strengthening the innovation capabilities of agri-food SMEs by facilitating experimentation with new products and processes
Programme: Interreg Atlantic Area (regional economic development in the Atlantic Arc)
Consortium: 11 partners from agri-food innovation clusters/centres and technical and research centres (France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal)
French partners: Valorial, Praxens and LEMPA
Dates: January 2024 – December 2026 (3 years)
Amount: €3.08 million in total, with 75% EU funding (for Valorial, this represents €230,717.63)
Theme: marine resources
Hub4Food is a European project that aims to strengthen innovation capacities in the food sector in the Atlantic Arc by stimulating cooperation between manufacturers, clusters and technical centres in Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. All project partners will work to promote the emergence of R&I projects and support the testing of advanced technologies (TRL 6 and above) by SMEs in the agrifood sector.
Throughout the project, particular attention will be paid to technologies that explore and use marine resources in the development of new products or processes.
Benefits for our members
The Hub4Food project offers numerous benefits for our members:
- Access to a collection of resources such as a map of European technical centres in the Atlantic Arc and their innovative technologies
- Opportunity to benefit from pilot tests carried out by six technical centres to develop new food products linked to marine resources
- Opportunity to benefit from the following innovation support services:
- Studies on marine resources and market trends
- Industry immersion stays to stimulate innovation in food ingredients
- Masterclasses targeting specific challenges in the marine industry
- Project development workshops dedicated to macroalgae and microalgae
- Culinary workshop on seaweed
- Opportunity to get involved in a series of events aimed at raising awareness among consumers and the general public about the development of innovative food products
Project beneficiaries
- SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises): SMEs interested in exploring and using new technologies and processes to develop new products in the following sectors: seafood, including seaweed, dairy products, meat, BVP, fruit and vegetables, beverages and ready meals.
- RTOs: Research and Technology Organisations play a crucial role in the Hub4Food project by providing resources, infrastructure and technical expertise to companies to test and develop new ideas, products or processes.
- General public: citizens and consumers will be involved in the Hub4Food project through various citizen initiatives, where they could contribute to data collection, food product validation or participate in open days to learn more about the agri-food sector.
- Public authorities: decision-makers and public authorities can benefit from the results of Hub4Food’s actions by gaining access to additional information on emerging trends, opportunities and barriers to innovation in the private sector.