A national strategy for biotechnology in the food industry is being developed
The large-scale use of biotechnology in the food industry has the potential to increase and improve global food production, as well as reduce reliance on fossil raw materials. In Lund, the innovation platform Biotech Heights has a mission for everyone to eat new fermented foods every day by 2035. But how will this be achieved? What technology will be used, what would make consumers interested, and what rules and regulations might hinder development? The project 'Roadmap for Biotechnology-based Food in Sweden' is now being implemented, aiming to build a national strategy for fermentation-based foods. This is currently being investigated by Biotech Heights and Future by Lund with partners, including through four industry meetings.
Finanisär
Several countries have implemented and created a roadmap for the establishment of new biotechnology-based food at a national level, which identifies the path to the breakthrough of this new technology in the food industry.
- In Sweden, many initiatives are underway, but there is a need for better focus and an overview of how various initiatives and investments can better benefit the industry's opportunities. At the same time, the food industry is not fully activated in this area, says Peter Kisch, Future by Lund.
The Roadmap for Sweden is developing a Swedish roadmap for new fermented food by actively involving the industry. This way, Sweden can work concretely towards a possible future. The roadmap will identify the path from the current situation to a desired future goal through clear milestones and activities, as well as capture the underlying potential for biotechnology in the Swedish food industry. It will serve as a step-by-step guide that brings together stakeholders, defines areas of responsibility, and shows how development needs should be addressed (and by whom) to achieve set goals.
The roadmap's primary focus is on biotechnology in the food industry and new products and market applications, but it will also identify connections to related sectors (excluding Pharma-tech) where various synergies may exist (for example, in competence and technology development).
The work focuses on the following key areas:
Current situation and innovation needs: Mapping the Swedish biotechnology sector for food, from startups to large-scale industry.
Infrastructure and scalability: How we build facilities and expertise to scale up biorefining and fermentation.
Regulations and investments:Identifying bottlenecks and how legislation and funding can be adapted for biological processes.
Other important areas will include examining driving consumption patterns, new concepts and product categories, pricing and availability, and market acceptance. It also involves looking at new business models and value chains for producers, as well as how to build knowledge within the industry and ensure access to trained personnel. Naturally, an international outlook and connectivity will also be crucial – regarding international cooperation, global food trends and analyses, and connections to the food industry and innovation environments globally.
Four workshops/industry dialogue meetings, aimed at mobilizing the food industry and identifying its interest in new fermented food, will be held in Lund, Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Umeå.
Roadmap for Biotechnology-Based Food in Sweden
Project period: April 10 to September 30
Project Coordinator: Future By Lund
Project Partners: Biotech Heights, Future by Lund, RISE,Good Food Institute (without compensation in the project) , Sweden Food Arena (without compensation in the project
Project Manager: Åsa Josell
Funder: Vinnova
