In February, Valio announced that it has been selected by Business Finland as a leading company to start the Food 2.0 project, which is an ongoing effort to develop the food system of the future and promote the competitiveness of food exports. Around 50 business and community partners have already joined the ecosystem, and the goal is at least one hundred partners.
Now, the company releases the key research themes within the Food 2.0 project.
Food 2.0 research themes
In the Food 2.0 project, development of the future food system is divided into four research themes. The project manager for the Food 2.0 project is Riitta Partanen.
Future products
This research theme aims to create products that meet the expectations of consumers in the future and with more sustainable production. What’s key about future products is a focus on developing nutritional quality, taste and mouthfeel, as well as combining the potential of animal, plant and cell agriculture in the best possible ways.
Researcher Mikko Immonen is responsible for this research theme.
Technology transformation
This research theme seeks extensive solutions for how automation, various data and calculation models, machine learning and artificial intelligence can be innovatively applied to the food system. Technology has great potential to streamline and accelerate work, improve quality and systematicness, and eliminate human errors.
Technology Manager Nina Valkonen is responsible for this research theme.
Regenerative production
Regenerative farming is a significant tool for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The theme, regenerative production, seeks solutions to restore poorly productive peatlands, support biodiversity and boost animal welfare, among other things.
Development Manager Virpi Kling is responsible for this research theme.
Circular economy and resource efficiency
In the future, the circular economy and resource efficiency will be the starting points of the entire food system. This theme seeks solutions for the development of domestic nitrogen production as a key raw material in fertiliser, the utilisation of side streams of food production, improvements in water efficiency and the reduction of the environmental impact of primary milk production.
Development Manager Robert Harmoinen is responsible for this research theme.
Valio has begun recruiting for the following positions related to the Food 2.0 project, with applications being accepted through the company's recruitment system: