ASOCIACION CLUSTER FOOD+I

Their core work

FOOD+i is a Spanish food industry cluster association based in La Rioja, one of Spain's key agri-food regions. They connect food sector SMEs with advanced technologies — from non-thermal preservation methods to sustainable packaging and bioeconomy models. Their role in EU projects is to represent the needs and capabilities of small food companies, facilitating technology adoption and helping translate research outcomes into practical industry applications. They bridge the gap between food science innovation and the commercial realities of small and medium food producers.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2016–2018), FOOD+i focused on water treatment, biological processes (algae, bacteria for saline wastewater), and began exploring advanced food processing technologies. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward circular economy themes: sustainable packaging (biobased adhesives, single-polymer solutions, compostability), waste valorization through decision support tools, and bioeconomy venture building. The trajectory shows a clear move from process-level food technologies toward systemic sustainability and circular economy in the food value chain.

FOOD+i is moving toward circular economy and bioeconomy innovation support, making them a strong partner for projects targeting sustainability transitions in the agri-food sector.

How they like to work

FOOD+i participates exclusively as a consortium partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for cluster associations whose value lies in industry representation rather than research leadership. With 89 unique partners across 19 countries from just 6 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia (averaging ~15 partners per project). This broad network suggests they are well-connected facilitators who bring the voice of food SMEs into research collaborations.

With 89 unique consortium partners spread across 19 countries, FOOD+i has built a remarkably wide European network for an organization of its size. Their participation in large RIA and IA consortia gives them connections across the full spectrum of food research — from universities and RTOs to industrial partners.

What sets them apart

As a food industry cluster from La Rioja — a region with deep roots in wine, canning, and agri-food production — FOOD+i offers direct access to a concentrated ecosystem of food SMEs with real production challenges. Unlike research institutes, they don't generate knowledge; they ensure it reaches the companies that need it. For consortium builders, they provide credible industry representation, dissemination reach into the Spanish food sector, and practical validation of technologies with real end-users.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MANDALA
  Their largest-funded project (EUR 268K), tackling the commercially critical challenge of replacing multilayer food packaging with recyclable single-polymer alternatives.
• SHEALTHY
  Comprehensive coverage of non-thermal food preservation technologies — ultrasound, pulsed electric fields, plasma activated water, and active packaging — all in one project.
• BioeconomyVentures
  Represents their evolution toward ecosystem building, supporting bioeconomy startups and spin-offs rather than working on a single technology.