From 30 September to 1 October this year, the final event of the international project HighFive (HIGHFIVE: Enhancing digital and green growth in the food processing industry via interregional innovation investments) "Smart food factory" took place in Brussels and Leuven (Belgium). The aim of this project is to test high-tech innovations in the agri-food industry and to exchange best practices and different methods.
The event concluded a three-year cycle during which the HighFive project was implemented. Its total budget amounted to EUR 11.6 million. Of which EUR 8.2 million. It consists of European Union (EU) funds. The project brought together 33 partners, including 15 clusters and 18 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The project was carried out in 9 countries. During the implementation of the project, as many as 45 SMEs invested in digital innovations, and 27 digital solutions have been implemented or are ready for the market. Lithuanian companies and clusters also participated in this combination, and the participation of Lithuanian representatives took place thanks to Agrifood Lithuania.
At the final event of the project, 25 projects based on innovations and the latest technological solutions were presented and implemented, including the use of artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, robotics, spectrographic equipment, etc., in order to produce food production using as little natural resources as possible, increasing production efficiency by means of new market monitoring and forecasting tools developed during the projects.
A more detailed description of the projects is provided in the Annex:
https://app.ekvi.lt/uploads/A_more_detailed_description_of_the_projects_d885df8321.docx
Summarizing the mentioned projects, the following aspects can be distinguished:
1. During the implementation of projects, sensors, computer equipment and controls used in the processes are systematically implemented so that corrections take place during production. This reduces manual work and the likelihood of errors, and decision-making is based on operational data.
2. Many initiatives create production-grade digital connections that connect shop, supply and financial data to close the management cycle.
3. The most commonly measured impact of sustainability. The projects provide measurable indicators of energy, water, waste and CO₂ reductions.
4. Solutions transform traceability from start to finish point and move quality control from data samples to full-flow monitoring, resulting in faster process corrections and a lower risk of order cancellations.
5. Creating circular value and resource efficiency. Some projects directly develop circular practices (water reuse, reuse of by-wastewater), while most – indirectly, reducing raw material losses.
6. Facilitating the work of operators and reducing human error. Automated analysis reduces sampling and manual entries. User-friendly and clear data visualization allows for quick responses, and the accuracy of the systems maintains higher, more consistent quality.
In conclusion, any of the 25 projects mentioned above can be further developed and developed, further applying innovative solutions, in order to use as little natural resources and energy as possible, and to further increase the efficiency and quality of production.
The second part of the event was a visit to the nanochip factory in Leuven
The factory itself uses nanotechnology to produce hair-thick processors, which, being 1 sq. m. centimeter, can perform no fewer operations per second than modern personal computers. About 5 billion euros have been invested in the equipment of the plant itself. Part of which is state funds, EU support funds and private investments. Currently, the construction of another similar building is underway at the nearby factory. Since there can be no vibration during the production of nanochips, the thickness of the plant's planar foundation reaches 18 meters. Interestingly, inside the factory itself, where production processes take place, the amount of dust units per square meter cannot exceed 100 pieces. In the observation corridor, the number of dust cannot exceed 1000 pcs. per sq. m. Metre.
The third part of the event was work in thematic groups, in one of which the Institute of Economics and Rural Development was represented by the research manager Jonas Pupius. He participated in a working group dedicated to providing recommendations to clusters for digitalization and application of modern technologies in the agricultural and food sectors.
The large-scale complex international HighFive project has implemented many innovative ideas and has also become a space for the creation of new ideas and directions of cooperation, where innovative projects in the agricultural and food industry will be further developed.
Project duration: 2022-10-01–2025-11-30.
Key project managers: Flanders' Food Cluster and Agrifood Capital Institute.
Project partners: Bretagne Développement Innovation (BDI), The Galicia Food Cluster, Digital Innovation Hub 'AgriFood Lithuania', Food-Processing Initiative, Agri Sud-Ouest, CTRIA Innovation Agency, Wagralim Non-Profit Organization, Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, AIN Non-Profit Organization, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Developer of Integrated Mechanical Systems Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, ITG Technology Center, Innov'Alliance Cluster, Yazzoom (now Orise) Company, Pomuni Frozen is a company, Brouwerij De Brabandere company, RBK Automation GmbH company, Food for Analytics company, Van Wees Waalwijk (VWW) company, Mariën Bakkerij Producten (MBP) company, Dairy Celeia company, Metronik company, José Salcedo Soria S.L. company, URTECH WATER, S.L. company, Viuda de Cayo company, S.L., Varga Szárnyas company, Mortoff company, TripleAlpha company, BENCO company, UAB Birštonas mineraliniai vandenys, Innolact company.
