NEW TECHNOLOGIES APPLIED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

The Spanish food sector leading European investment in R&D, among other areas, and has a high competitiveness in global scientific and technological development. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment together with Telefónica, Indra, Santander and Iberdrola have become strategic partners of a revitalization plan and internationalization of the food sector through the signing of an agreement with the Federation of Industries Food and Beverage (FIAB), part of the Strategic Framework for Food Industry & Beverage driven by FIAB with the Government on 13 March.

Under this agreement crossover character with major national companies innovation, Telefónica boost e-commerce in the food industry by implementing technological improvements and by providing its expertise in startup and communication. Indra will provide technology services with strategic training and Iberdrola apply optimization measures of energy consumption. Santander also provide financing facilities and support programs for internationalization and the Ministry will provide funds for rural development plan. FIAB finally bring their experience and knowledge on the state of the food industry, needs and potential. An ambitious plan that aims to attract talent and make the food sector the engine of the economy, employment and the image of Spain.

These strategic and institutional, however, plans are complemented by a daily national food companies, thanks to its flexibility, capacity and investment in R+D+i have long been investing in new technologies as key factors in service growth and competitiveness.

For example, scientific advances in nanotechnology are providing numerous advances in the discovery of new products (examples include gelatin, food foams and infusions), nutritional supplements varieties (by additions of vitamin compounds and minerals) and as various meterial called smart which, in contact with food, perimiten greater conservation and stability of fully guaranteeing the same organoleptic properties. In addition, the manufacture of silicon chips opens up numerous possibilities in the traceability and labeling of products.

In the field of sustainability are also producing new technologies linked to progress. For example, the added agro-biogas production can be an excellent complement to the large commercial farms. And even the new discoveries that allow the removal of waste by microorganisms, biodegradation decisively to help the management of industrial and toxic materials.

However it is in the field of food processing where the use of new technologies is providing a critical value in the development and commercialization of new products. Thus, the budding new disruptive solutions favors seeking new opportunities and markets by transforming innovation and applied in existing food products. The extrusion technique is allowing the development of new products and textures such as artificial meat made ​​from flour and soy protein and used in the preparation of industrial food rations or food intended to meet special dietary needs. Moreover companies like Natural Machines leverage technology to launch the first 3D printer that allows you to prepare and print food. Foodini developed in Spain and selling less than 1000 €, makes it possible to give any shape to foods that are "printed", both sweet and savory, like burgers, cakes, chocolate or pasta. The initiative will allow Reimagine Food Barcelona become the first "disruptive" center of the food industry that integrates innovation, new technologies, trademarks, young companies and entrepreneurs acting as an umbrella in the creation and uptake of different initiatives aimed to rethink the world food, the food industry and the kitchen.

In the field of marketing, new methodologies demand special attention to the design and user-oriented services are also achieving remarkable growth thanks to new communication technologies. Specifically in the wine industry, Wine is Social Network is the first online wine club wines suited for discovering the taste of each person. With a particular business model, based on what promoters called the discovery e-commerce, are achieving unprecedented success among its stakeholders supported in their web and especially in social networks. Other successful applications allow Cookbooth share recipes and photographs of the dishes prepared by specific APPs for mobile, or Creative Signatures that offers users the know-how of very great national chefs. Causes of Spanish entrepreneurs all being studied as the best means of major food brands to the promotion and dissemination of their products.

+info:

• Natural Machines: www.naturalmachines.com
• Remagine Food: http://reimagine-food.com/
• Wine Is social: http://wineissocial.com/
• Cookbooth: www.cookbooth.com/
• Creative Signatures: www.creativesignatures.com