Fostering Swiss food innovation
The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley is a nationwide initiative and international campaign, to develop, strengthen, and promote the Swiss food ecosystem.
We address major challenges in food and nutrition by leveraging cutting-edge science and technology for a more sustainable future.
Fostering
Swiss food innovation
The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley is a nationwide initiative and international campaign, to develop, strengthen, and promote the Swiss food ecosystem.
We address major challenges in food and nutrition by leveraging cutting-edge science and technology for a more sustainable future.
Our Purpose
To foster Swiss food innovation, while addressing our global food challenges.
Switzerland – A world reference
Deeply rooted in agricultural tradition, Switzerland’s unmatched density of world leading companies and scientific institutions, as well as pioneering start-ups in food, nutrition, life sciences and robotics; provides a unique setting to innovate and contribute to solving our most pressing global food challenges.
Key Objectives
- To contribute to solving some of the most pressing food-related global issues.
- To attract further talent, start-ups and investments, as well as connecting existing actors.
- To establish Switzerland as a world reference in sustainable food and nutrition innovation.
Levels of Action
We Foster Ecosystems
We strengthen and promote the Swiss food innovation ecosystem by uniting key stakeholders, enabling collaboration and attracting talent, startups and investment to Switzerland.
To Advance Innovation
We create content and establish project plans to address major challenges in food, nutrition and agriculture, from a sustainability perspective, using cutting-edge science and technology.
Our Strategic Axes
Protein Alternatives
Refers to plant-based and food-technology replacements for animal protein. Food manufacturers are primarily using plants, mycelium, algae or microbes to replace traditional meat, dairy or seafood ingredients.
Main Applications
- Protein alternatives
- Food supplements
- Smart equipment & intelligent systems
- Food scents & flavours
Main Technologies
- Extraction / purification
- Grinding
- Milling
- Fine chemistry
- Natural bioactive extracts
Precision Nutrition & Healthy Ageing
Refers to a new scientific discipline which focuses on the relationship between genes, nutrition and health. It seeks to explain how our bodies respond to what we eat and drink – and how we can use that knowledge to promote better health.
Main Applications
- Targeted nutrition
- Precision nutrition
- Healthy ageing
- Digital nutrition
Main Technologies
- Microbiota
- Multi-omics
- Next generation sequencing
- Epigenetics
- Big data
- Artifical intelligence
- Yellow biotech
- Digital technologies
Food Systems 4.0
Refers to the digitisation process taking place across the entire food supply chain; from traceability and provenance of raw ingredients, food safety solutions in the manufacturing process, to consumer-facing tools for better information access.
Main Applications
- Traceability
- Safety
- Security
- Sustainable trading
- Apps for consumer empowerment
Main Technologies
- IoT / IoM (Internet of Materials)
- Cloud
- Blockchain
- Sensors
- Web and digital technologies
Precision Farming
Refers to the use of high-tech robotics, data analytics and digital tools for more accurate monitoring of soil, irrigation and strip tilling.
Main Applications
- Sustainable farming
- Water management
- Environmental monitoring
- Weeding and early pathogen detection
Main Technologies
- Drones
- Satellites
- Robotics
- Hyperspectral imaging
- Machine learning
- IoT
Sustainable Packaging
Refers to the sourcing, development and use of packaging solutions that have a minimal impact and low footprint on the environment, within the overall context of sustainable waste management.
Main Applications
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace
- Biomass valorisation
- Waste monitoring
- Data enabled circular economy
- Smart packaging
Main Technologies
- Enzymatic processes
- Microbiology
- Grey biotech
- High content imaging
- Advanced equipment
- Smart materials
Our Strategic Axes
Protein Alternatives
Refers to plant-based and food-technology replacements for animal protein. Food manufacturers are primarily using plants, mycelium, algae or microbes to replace traditional meat, dairy or seafood ingredients.
Main Applications
- Protein alternatives
- Food supplements
- Smart equipment & intelligent systems
- Food scents & flavours
Main Technologies
- Extraction / purification
- Grinding
- Milling
- Fine chemistry
- Natural bioactive extracts
Precision Nutrition & Healthy Ageing
Refers to a new scientific discipline which focuses on the relationship between genes, nutrition and health. It seeks to explain how our bodies respond to what we eat and drink – and how we can use that knowledge to promote better health.
Main Applications
- Targeted nutrition
- Precision nutrition
- Healthy ageing
- Digital nutrition
Main Technologies
- Microbiota
- Multi-omics
- Next generation sequencing
- Epigenetics
- Big data
- Artifical intelligence
- Yellow biotech
- Digital technologies
Food Systems 4.0
Refers to the digitisation process taking place across the entire food supply chain; from traceability and provenance of raw ingredients, food safety solutions in the manufacturing process, to consumer-facing tools for better information access.
Main Applications
- Traceability
- Safety
- Security
- Sustainable trading
- Apps for consumer empowerment
Main Technologies
- IoT / IoM (Internet of Materials)
- Cloud
- Blockchain
- Sensors
- Web and digital technologies
Precision Farming
Refers to the use of high-tech robotics, data analytics and digital tools for more accurate monitoring of soil, irrigation and strip tilling. When supported by precision farming solutions, crops are more inclined to thrive.
Main Applications
- Sustainable farming
- Water management
- Environmental monitoring
- Weeding and early pathogen detection
Main Technologies
- Drones
- Satellites
- Robotics
- Hyperspectral imaging
- Machine learning
- IoT
Sustainable Packaging
Refers to the sourcing, development and use of packaging solutions that have a minimal impact and low footprint on the environmental, within the overall context of sustainable waste management.
Main Applications
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace
- Biomass valorisation
- Waste monitoring
- Data enabled circular economy
- Smart packaging
Main Technologies
- Enzymatic processes
- Microbiology
- Grey biotech
- High content imaging
- Advanced equipment
- Smart materials
Aquantis: Developing sensors for inline quality control and process monitoring
DNA analysis, particularly when applied in microbiome, has the potential to provide breakthrough solutions in countless industries. Based in Monthey (Canton of Valais), REM Analytics is a promising startup mapping microorganisms to enable personalized nutrition amongst countless other applications.
ETH Zürich, the leading Swiss university in science, engineering and technology, joins the SFNV.
Bühler, the Swiss multinational plant equipment manufacturer based in Uzwil, has joined the SFNV. The organisation holds leading market positions worldwide in the fields of technology, advanced materials, as well as food processing. Every day two billion people enjoy foods produced using Bühler equipment. In light of this universal reach, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
Givaudan, the world’s largest company in the flavour and fragrance industries, joins the SFNV
Bühler, the Swiss multinational plant equipment manufacturer based in Uzwil, has joined the SFNV. The organisation holds leading market positions worldwide in the fields of technology, advanced materials, as well as food processing. Every day two billion people enjoy foods produced using Bühler equipment. In light of this universal reach, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
Bühler, the Swiss multinational plant equipment manufacturer based in Uzwil, joins the SFNV
Bühler, the Swiss multinational plant equipment manufacturer based in Uzwil, has joined the SFNV. The organisation holds leading market positions worldwide in the fields of technology, advanced materials, as well as food processing. Every day two billion people enjoy foods produced using Bühler equipment. In light of this universal reach, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
In Molondin, the Agropôle is building an international innovation campus for 2025.
In Molondin (State of Vaud), the...
Firmenich joins the SFNV to accelerate sustainable food innovation
Firmenich, the world’s largest privately owned fragrance and taste company, is proud to announce that it has joined the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV), a global reference in sustainable food and nutrition innovation. Founded in 2020 by Nestlé, EPFL, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne and the Swiss Canton of Vaud, SFNV provides a rich eco-system of expertise and cutting edge science to address the major global food and nutrition challenges of the future. Bérangère Magarinos Ruchat. Firmenich’s Chief Sustainability Officer has been appointed to the Executive Commitee of the new network.
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Firmenich: To stand for quality, you have to stand for responsibility.
Creating tastes and aromas capable of evoking great emotions, Firmenich’s flavours and fragrances are consumed by four billion people every day. The company is propelled by its desire to make a positive impact in every sense of the word, in every corner of the world: for their customers and consumers, for society and the planet. In an interview to honour Firmenich’s membership of the SFNV, Magarinos-Ruchat spoke of all this and much more.
PepsiCo, the multinational snack and beverage corporation, joins the SFNV
Bühler, the Swiss multinational plant equipment manufacturer based in Uzwil, has joined the SFNV. The organisation holds leading market positions worldwide in the fields of technology, advanced materials, as well as food processing. Every day two billion people enjoy foods produced using Bühler equipment. In light of this universal reach, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
ADM Switzerland wins Fi Europe Innovation Awards for its new alt-protein ingredient made out of peas.
This FI Europe Innovation Awards recognizes an organization or company that has submitted the best ingredient or process in terms of sensory and physical properties or application costs. Winning in ingredient innovation, ADM’s ProFam Pea provides a cleaner, less bitter taste experience than other pea proteins and reduces the need for masking or top notes.
EPFL Spin-off Plastogaz awarded CHF 85K to further its research in sustainable disposal of plastic waste
Plastogaz, a spin-off of the Swiss...
Nestlé to invest billions to reduce its carbon footprint
On Thursday, the Swiss multinational unveiled a program to reduce its carbon footprint, to which it intends to devote 3.2 billion francs over the next five years.
Its actions will focus on supporting farmers and suppliers to advance regenerative agriculture, planting hundreds of millions of trees within the next 10 years and completing the company’s transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025.
REM Analytics: Uncovering new applications in microbiome, certification and food safety
DNA analysis, particularly when applied in microbiome, has the potential to provide breakthrough solutions in countless industries. Based in Monthey (Canton of Valais), REM Analytics is a promising startup mapping microorganisms to enable personalized nutrition amongst countless other applications.
5 Strategic Axes to advance scientific innovation in food, agriculture, and nutrition
Following voting during its General Assembly, the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley association last week adopted five strategic axes designed to address major global food and nutrition challenges. These areas have been selected to align with Switzerland’s competitive capabilities, while also addressing the most vital complex challenges of the food systems beyond our borders.
Le Canton de Fribourg joins the SFNV.
The Canton of Fribourg has joined today the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley association, whose aim is to increase the international visibility and networking of the Swiss agri-food sector. Together with the canton of Fribourg, Agroscope and the Food & Nutrition Cluster have also joined the association. Thanks to its proven skills in this sector, the Canton of Fribourg can make a significant contribution to the development of this network and help shape its future development.
Swiss urban agriculture solution “Légumes Perchés” amongst finalists of the best sustainable startup award organized by “Le Temps”
Among the 87 candidates for the third...