The knowledge company Matís, which carries out diverse research, service and innovation work in the food and biotechnology industry, has secured participation in extensive pan-European projects. It brings together dozens of leading companies, research and educational institutions to find ways to innovate on a world-scale level and to promote entrepreneurship within the continent. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EiT) will invest in the projects until the year 2020 for 2.4 billion euros or 290 billion Icelandic kronas. The total investment will amount to almost ten billion euros, or 1,200 billion Icelandic kronas, but the participants finance 75% from the research themselves.
Europe is behind
Hörður G. Kristinsson, Matís' director of research and innovation, says that the plan is based on new thinking and focuses on eight specific projects (Knowledge Innovation Community - KIC), one of which is about food and innovation in the European food industry (EIT Food). This is Matís' point of contact with the plan, but its origin is the fact that Europe has been declining in innovation and great emphasis is being placed on reversing that development. The eight projects (KIC) are a key tool for this; they are independent units with the CEO and the executive board and control how the money is allocated within the group, according to certain rules set by the group.
In short, the role of the KIC projects is to increase Europe's competitiveness and innovation. Contribute to the growth of the economy through the development and development of new companies, and increase employment by developing new products and services. Like, and not least, to train the next generation of entrepreneurs.
"Matís is one of only two participants from the Nordic countries that are members of EIT Food and we are especially looked at in terms of knowledge and skills when it comes to research and development of products and substances from the sea and processes related to them, or the blue bioeconomy. This is a huge recognition for Matís and the work that our wonderful staff has done in recent years, as well as Iceland. It can be said that this has lifted us from the first division to the champion division, "says Hörður and adds that the application process for individual projects is very extensive and the competition for funding is enormous.
Without condemnation
"EIT Food is the project that worked after a lot of work and a very strict filter. It's for seven years. Fifty people from thirteen countries are involved; all companies, universities and research institutes or companies that are at the forefront of their field in Europe and the world, "says Hörður and names the two largest food companies in the world, Nestlé and PepsiCo. Also Givaudan, the world's largest flavoring company, DSM, Roquette, Nielsen, Siemens and Bosch. The universities of Cambridge, ETH Zurich and the University of Technology in Munich are also participating. Other powerful research companies, or institutions, in the project together with Matís include VTT in Finland, Fraunhofer in Germany and Azti in Spain.
Over the next seven years, EIT will invest up to ISK 48 billion in the project against a counter-contribution of ISK 145 billion. "The total investment is therefore the largest operation that has been undertaken in Europe in the field of food research," says Hörður.
The focus of revolutions
But what challenges will the participants, and Matís among them, face?
"A seven-year business plan will be put together next year to shape how we as a group are going to tackle some of the major challenges that Europe is facing in terms of the food sector and consumers. We intend to make Europe the focal point of revolution in food innovation and production, bringing consumers directly to the table in this process and developing 290 new or improved products, services and processes. We also intend to support and create 350 new companies, train over 10,000 graduate students and professionals in food science and related disciplines by 2024, in addition to reducing 40% from greenhouse gas emissions in the European food sector by 2030, "says Hörður and cites examples.
"Matís will take an active part in the entire project, but we will have a particularly large role in terms of seafood and ingredients made from seafood and unused raw materials from the sea. There are great opportunities in the food industry in terms of the use of raw materials and ingredients from the sea to meet the needs of future consumers. The consumer will be at the heart of this great task, but we will bring it to the table to help us revolutionize the European food sector. This project opens up enormous opportunities for us and Iceland and connects us firmly with a very strong group of companies, universities and research institutes, "says Hörður.
A gigantic project at a glance
- A seven-year business plan set up next year.
- Develop 290 new or improved products, services and processes.
- Support and create 350 new companies, train over 10,000 graduate students and professionals in food science and related disciplines by 2024.
- The aim is to reduce 40% greenhouse gas emissions in the European food sector by 2030.
- The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) will invest 2.4 billion euros or 290 billion Icelandic kronas in the projects until the year 2020.
- The total investment amounts to ISK 1,200 billion, but the participants finance 75% from the research themselves.
- Matís works directly and indirectly with Nestlé and PepsiCo, Givaudan which is the world's largest flavoring producer, the companies DSM, Roquette, Nielsen, Siemens and Bosch.
- The universities of Cambridge, ETH Zurich and the Technical University of Munich are participating.
- Other powerful research companies, or institutions, in the project together with Matís include VTT in Finland, Fraunhofer in Germany and Azti in Spain.
The news first appeared in Fréttablaðið / Svavar Hávarðsson