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Next Tech Food Factories, the foodtech program office of AgriFood Capital and Brainport Development, together with partners and companies, is setting up a network of test sites inside and outside Brabant. Here, food processors, machine builders and high-tech suppliers can test and validate their technological innovations for the food processing industry.
Source: Next Tech Food factories
Under the name Food Automation Test Sites, companies can test technologies ranging from robotics and camera technology to digital twins here. The focus is not only on technical feasibility, but also on the legal, organizational, financial and social aspects that determine the impact of innovations. This means that companies have the opportunity to test new technologies in a controlled environment, without direct risk to their regular production.
From Next Tech Food Factories, these companies also receive additional support. Think of support from a (technical) operator or independent advice from an expert.
Wouter Eckelmans of LocalTea shares his experience "As part of the NXTGEN HIGHTECH project, LocalTea, together with VanWeesWaalwijk and Wageningen University, wants to develop a fully controlled production process for our Dutch tea. A key step in this is the drying process of the tea leaves. We are currently testing a new near-infrared spectral sensor from the company MantiSpectra to see if we can monitor the process of drying better and faster compared to traditional measurement methods. If successful, this test will be essential for achieving a fully controlled production process. In addition, with this test we also hope to inspire other companies to use this type of sensor in their production process."
Bram de Vrught, Anke van den Heuvel and Mireille Gijsberts explain: "Innovation often involves a lot of uncertainty. As a result, many companies are reluctant to take concrete steps in this area. This initiative offers the facilities and expertise to companies active in the food industry to take the first concrete steps in innovation and thus remove some of the uncertainty and risk. In addition, this initiative offers the possibility of early feasibility testing of new innovations relevant to the sector."
The test sites of the Food Automation Test Network have different specializations:
"The Food Automation Test Site Network was born out of the need for companies to be able to test technological innovations in a semi-practical environment. From testing new sensors in diverse environments to new developments in bin picking and AI, we want to offer companies the space to put their ideas into practice," says Lisanne van Oosterhoud, program manager Next Tech Food Factories.
"We started this year from the National Growth Fund program NXTGEN Hightech and aim to expand and improve the capabilities of the network. In order to learn in this process from test sites and networks at home and abroad, from Belgium to Finland, we recently started a new project called SIXFOLD. Our goal is to help as many organizations active in the Food Processing Industry as possible test their innovations and increase their chances in the market."
Are you curious about the test sites and ongoing activities? Do you have an innovative idea that can help your company and the food processing sector and would you like to test this innovation? Or does your company recognize itself in the tests mentioned in this article and would you like to join? Contact Dirk van Ledden of Next Tech Food Factories or read more about test locations here.
The test sites are made possible in part by the National Growth Fund program NXTGEN Hightech.
Source: Next Tech Food Factories
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