Alfa Laval’s new Sustainable Food Innovation Center in Copenhagen is setting a precedent for the future of food production. This 1,200 m² facility, expected to open in 2027, aims to address global food challenges by helping producers meet rising demand while reducing environmental impact. Located at the company’s Food and Water business headquarters, the center will focus on both conventional and next-generation food innovations. As Sammy Hulpiau, President of Alfa Laval’s Food & Water Division, stated, this initiative is a critical step in ensuring sustainable food supply for future generations.
A Strategic Hub for Food Innovation
Copenhagen, known for its leadership in bio-solutions and academic excellence, is the ideal location for Alfa Laval’s new center. The facility will serve as a world-class test and development hub, fostering collaboration among food producers, researchers, and industry leaders. Construction began in early 2025, with the project on track for completion by 2027. The inclusion of a visitor center highlights Alfa Laval’s commitment to transparency and knowledge-sharing.
This initiative aligns with global efforts to address the environmental impact of food production. According to recent data, the global food system accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 70% of all freshwater withdrawals. By developing advanced technologies, Alfa Laval aims to reduce these impacts while ensuring food security for a growing population.
Focusing on Conventional and Next-Generation Foods
The center will explore two main areas: conventional foods and next-generation food production. For conventional foods, the focus is on creating processes that yield more nutritious products while using less energy, water, and raw materials. Waste recovery will also be a key component, transforming by-products into valuable resources. Johan Agrell, Vice-President of Next-generation Food, emphasized that the facility will tackle the challenges of supplying food today and in the future.
Next-generation food production will focus on plant-based and fermentation-based foods. These innovations are crucial for reducing the environmental footprint of food systems. For example, plant-based proteins require significantly fewer resources compared to traditional meat production. If you’re curious about how plant-based desserts are making waves, check out these 10 irresistible plant-based desserts leading the vegan revolution.
Driving Transformative Change in the Global Food System
Alfa Laval’s centre is designed to help food producers meet the demands of a growing population without exceeding planetary boundaries. By 2050, the world will need up to 70% more food to feed its population. Lars Dithmer, President of Alfa Laval Business Unit Food Systems, believes this facility is essential for enabling the global food system to nourish more people sustainably.
The center will leverage advanced technologies to achieve its goals. These include optimizing protein processing, improving resource efficiency, and developing new food technologies. Collaboration with other industry players will also be a key focus, ensuring that innovations can be scaled and implemented globally.
Initial Focus on Sustainable Protein Processing
Protein processing is the center’s first priority, addressing what Johan Agrell calls the most significant challenge facing the industry. The team will work on efficient protein extraction from plant-based sources and fermentation-based processing. Additionally, efforts will be made to optimize meat and fish processing to minimize environmental impact. These initiatives are critical for creating sustainable protein sources that can meet future demand.
Plant-based proteins, in particular, are gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to animal-based products. For instance, Bonduelle Americas recently expanded its plant-based food line, which you can read more about here. As Alfa Laval develops new technologies, these innovations will pave the way for more sustainable food systems.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
Alfa Laval’s Sustainable Food Innovation Centre represents a bold step toward addressing the global food crisis. By focusing on both conventional and next-generation foods, the facility will help producers meet demand while reducing their environmental footprint. Sustainable protein processing is just the beginning, with plans to explore new food technologies in the coming years.
As the world grapples with food security and climate change, initiatives like Alfa Laval’s are more important than ever. If you’re interested in other sustainable food innovations, don’t miss this article on sustainable dessert innovations to watch in 2025. The future of food is being shaped by these groundbreaking efforts, and Copenhagen’s new center is at the forefront of this transformation.