Biotech4Food - I4BE - Ingredients for the Bioeconomy

Empowering agri-food SMEs
through Biotechnology

Improve the use of agri-food biotechnologies for a more sustainable food system

Facilitate investment & innovation in new value chains between biotechnologies and the agro-food industry, thanks to interregional cooperation.

The Biotech4Food project supports small and medium-sized agri-food enterprises (SMEs) in developing innovative ingredients, products or process by biotechnology. Our goal is to help these businesses grow, overcome challenges, and successfully scale up, all while embracing sustainable and resilient practices.

As one of the Key Enabling Technologies, biotechnology can drive innovation in the agri-food industry, helping companies tackle challenges, increase efficiency, and become more sustainable and resilient. Through tailored advisory services and financial support, Biotech4Food focuses on SMEs from less developed and transition regions, enabling them to bring cutting-edge biotechnological innovations to the market.

By connecting stakeholders and supporting SME growth, Biotech4Food strengthens European agri-food value chains and fosters a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient food industry across Europe.

1

Regulatory and legislative barriers

Complex regulations, including Novel Food rules, valorisation of side-streams, and differences between Member States, can slow down the implementation and cross-border commercialisation of biotechnological innovations.

2

Market demand and competition

New biotechnological products must compete with established ingredients and processes, requiring the development of new value chains and stronger links between supply and demand.

3

Financing constraints

SMEs often face difficulties accessing the right type of finance, with needs varying by size, technology, and business model, making tailored funding solutions essential.

4

Knowledge and expertise gaps

Limited access to specialised expertise in areas such as IPR, investment support, and prototyping, along with the need for ongoing capacity building, can hinder SMEs in adopting rapidly evolving biotechnological solutions.

1

Connecting stakeholders

Build strong links between EU agri-food and biotechnology actors, focusing on less developed and transition regions. The project foresees regional and interregional workshops to identify solutions to overcome the challenges and ongoing dialogue with regional and European authorities.

2

Supporting SMEs

Help small and medium-sized enterprises adopt, scale up, and commercialise innovative biotechnological solutions. The consortium has set up a support program with upskilling sessions, networking activities and financial support.

3

Driving impact

Promote sustainable growth and accelerate the green transition of the agri-food sector through interregional investment and ecosystem development.

15 SMEs are financial supported by the project
for a total amount of > 1.500.0000 €

The consortium is composed by 7 agri-food innovation clusters, 2 Research and technological centers and 1 region authority. 8 regions from 5 different European countries support the innovation through biotechnology. The clusters support 15 companies, directly beneficiaries of the project.

Biotech4Food is backed by Ingredients for the Bioeconomy (I4BE), a European network of bioeconomy innovation clusters, connecting SMEs, expertise, and resources across Europe.

Wagralim

The coordinator of the project. Wagralim is the agri-food innovation cluster of reference in Wallonia. The cluster accelerates the growth of the Walloon agri-food system through various services with technical and market-oriented objectives.

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Flanders’ Food

Flanders’ FOOD is a cluster organization and spearhead cluster agri-food in Flanders and responsible to translate the Flemish RIS3 into practice.

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Wagralim

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Valorial

Association du pole de Competitivité Valorial is an agri-food competitiveness cluster in the west of France. It focuses on 6 areas of innovation: water, climate, soil; farms & factories operational excellence; food supply for better eating; sustainable plant & animal production; biomass full valorisation; innovative food uses & services. 

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NAGRIFOOD

The agri-food cluster of Navarre, NAGRIFOOD, is a non-profit organisation of more than 100 entities bringing together companies, knowledge centres and universities, as well as public institutions. They aim to contribute to ensuring that the agri-food industry in Navarre becomes more competitive.

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Innov’Alliance

Pole Europeen Innovation Alimentation Bien-etre Naturalité (Innov’Alliance) is a cluster with a network of more than 400 members. It gathers companies, research and training organisations and more than 5000 academics and researchers.

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Clust-er Agroalimentaire (C-ER)

The Agrifood Clust-ER is an association of public and private organisations: companies, research centres, training institutions, that share skills, ideas and resources to support the competitiveness of the sector.

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CNTA

CNTA, the National Centre for Food Technology and Safety is a private non-profit making association. Since 1981, the aim of this technological centre is to contribute towards improving the competitiveness and quality of the food sector.

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ANFACO-CECOPESCA

The National Association of Canned Fish and Seafood Manufacturers (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) is a private non-profit business association founded in 1904, representing and defending the sectoral interests of more than 250 companies from the marine and food industry network.

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Region of Central Macedonia

The Region of Central Macedonia (RCM) is the largest region of Greece, generates 26% of the Greek GDP, up to 25% of the national primary agricultural production and accounts for 24,7% of Greece’s total exports (of which 32,1% are from the food sector). Agri-Food is proven to be the cutting-edge sector.

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Agrotechnology Export Cluster

The AgroTech Export Cluster is a private non-profit organization set up in 2020 to become the growth catalyst of the Agri-food sector utilizing the unique Greek agricultural products and the know-how, innovation and productive capacity of its members, to promote prosperity, healthy Mediterranean diet and sustainable development.

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Biotech4food is supported by the European Union under the Interregional innovation investment instrument (I3). Grant agreement No. 101115135. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Empowering agri-food SMEsthrough Biotechnology

Improve the use of agri-food biotechnologies for a more sustainable food system

1

Regulatory and legislative barriers

2

Market demand and competition

3

Financing constraints

4

Knowledge and expertise gaps

1

Connecting stakeholders

2

Supporting SMEs

3

Driving impact

15 SMEs are financial supported by the projectfor a total amount of > 1.500.0000 €

Wagralim

Flanders’ Food

Wagralim

Wagralim

Wagralim

Valorial

NAGRIFOOD

Innov’Alliance

Clust-er Agroalimentaire (C-ER)

CNTA

ANFACO-CECOPESCA

Region of Central Macedonia

Agrotechnology Export Cluster

Contact

Join the European I4BE Community

Join the European I4BE Community

Empowering agri-food SMEs
through Biotechnology

15 SMEs are financial supported by the project
for a total amount of > 1.500.0000 €