Valio gears up for major food system overhaul with Food 2.0 RDI project funded by Business Finland

By Newsdesk

February 20 2024
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Valio has embarked on a substantial Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) initiative named Food 2.0, aiming to construct a sustainable Finnish food system grounded on ecological production.

Valio gears up for major food system overhaul with Food 2.0 RDI project funded by Business Finland

This initiative, set to span five years commencing this year, has been awarded €10 million by Business Finland through its challenge competition for leading companies. Additionally, Business Finland is setting up an additional €20 million to back ecosystem projects aligned with Food 2.0's roadmap. Business Finland serves as the governmental entity responsible for promoting innovation funding, as well as facilitating trade, travel, and investments in Finland.

The responsibility of spearheading this project, along with fostering broad-based cooperation, falls on Valio, alongside its existing and potential new partners. The ambition is to weave a network of over a hundred partners, connecting hundreds of entities within Finland's food system. The initiative sets a bold target of injecting an additional €100 million into RDI activities over the next five years, aiming to boost exports related to the food system by more than €1 billion in the subsequent years following the project's completion. Valio's distinction as the first food company selected by Business Finland as a leading company underscores the project's pioneering spirit.

Tuomas Salusjärvi, EVP of Growth Businesses and R&D at Valio, highlighted the critical nature of inclusive reform in the food system, stating, "It is important that we reform the food system with all the actors involved, as that is the only way that we will succeed in the change." Salusjärvi further elaborated on the global shifts in food production as an auspicious opportunity for Finland, emphasizing the growing global food demand and the increasing relevance of northern production zones.

Nina Kopola, Business Finland's Director-General, assured robust support for the project, affirming, “Business Finland wants to be strongly involved in the work aimed at reforming the food system. All our services contribute to strengthening the goals set by this project.”

The global food system is currently at a crossroads, grappling with escalating challenges such as a burgeoning global population, climate change-induced extreme weather conditions, and recent geopolitical crises. These factors collectively jeopardize food security and underscore the urgency for a sustainable overhaul of food production mechanisms, emphasizing circular economy principles and resource efficiency.

Valio is already making strides towards this sustainable model by promoting resource sustainability and circular economy practices within its operations. However, the success of creating a genuinely sustainable food system will rely on augmented collaboration across various industries, production frameworks, and businesses.

Valio has initiated the process of assembling the ecosystem network and will progressively undertake and launch RDI projects aligned with the Food 2.0 scheme. This initiative is poised to explore advancements across four main themes: Future Products, Technology Transformation, Regenerative Production, and Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency.

Individuals or entities interested in contributing to the reform of the food system are encouraged to get involved in projects kick-started by the Food 2.0 ecosystem.

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