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Search consortium for HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage: Innovating for on-farm post-harvest operations, storage and transformation of crops into food and non-food products

Summary

Profile Type
  • Research & Development Request
POD Reference
RDRBE20250506005
Term of Validity
6 May 2025 - 6 May 2026
Company's Country
  • Belgium
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
For this call, SGL could develop multiple innovative processing methods for sorted-out products (apples & squash/zucchini) that can be applied directly on the farm, reducing food waste and having a positive economic impact for the producer. Technology
Transfer is also possible: Scaling-up of processes at the Walloon producer level and Creation of a "kit" (equipment, material, raw materials...) and "process" cards for Wallonian producers.
Full Description
The Smart Gastronomy Lab of the University of Liège (Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech) develops applied and multidisciplinary research in the emerging field of culinary sciences in line with new consumer needs. It mainly focuses on the integration of new technologies in food to develop more personalized, tasty, healthy and sustainable food products, processes and services in line with consumer needs. Thanks to the creation of a FabLab dedicated to FoodTech, the SGL integrates, in addition to food science and culinary sciences, electronics, programming, behavioural sciences, nutrition and even sensory perception and quality. The SGL thus develops expertise and tools (IoT, Apps, Digital Twin) to support disruptive, user-centered innovation. The SGL also has a Culinary Laboratory equipped with scientific equipment (extraction, fermentation, cooking, etc.) enabling
the prototyping and development of food products in the context of research or for companies.

Regarding the call HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02, SGL could develop multiple innovative processing methods for sorted-out products (apples & squash/zucchini) that can be applied directly
on the farm, reducing food waste and having a positive economic impact for the producer. For apples, two valorization paths and consumer-oriented concepts could be explored (locavorism and
innovative products such as fermented drinks). For squash, zucchini, and 3rd range vegetables, the focus would be on developing specific lacto-fermentation methods for vegetables sorted out during
grading, leading to the creation of finished products from lacto-fermented vegetables. Technology Transfer is also possible: Scaling-up of processes at the Walloon producer level and Creation of a
"kit" (equipment, material, raw materials...) and "process" cards for Wallonian producers. SLG has also good contact with Belgian SMEs involved in the process of fermentation
Advantages and Innovations
POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION:
Smart Gastronomy Lab expertise:
➢ Lactofermentation of vegetables ;
➢ Non-alcoolic fermented drinks development and study (Kombucha, kefirs, koso…)
➢ Low-temperature cooking ;
➢ Ohmic cooking
➢ Study of the impact of food processes and cooking process on food nutritional and organoleptic properties.
➢ Developing sensors for cold storage to monitor the aging of products
➢ Developing methods to reduce food waste on the farm
➢ Transformation expertise in Wallonia: canning, fermentation/cider, drying for herbal teas…
➢ Development of alternative products with low carbon impact
➢ Development of novel foods (alternative proteins, superfoods…)
➢ Study of the consumer behaviour and the factors influencing food choices using connected devices (connected trays and glasses)
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 13: Climate Action

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Research & development cooperation agreement
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME <=10
  • SME 11-49
  • SME 50 - 249
  • Big company
  • R&D Institution
  • University
  • Other
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Call details

Framework program
  • Horizon Europe
Call title and identifier
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI
Deadline of the call

Dissemination

Market keywords
  • 07003002 - Health food
  • 07003003 - Soft drinks and bottling plants
Targeted countries
  • All countries