Innovation in Food Processing
Food Tech Brainport in Helmond is a leading test and validation site for food processing. Here, producers, machine builders, and high-tech suppliers come together to develop innovations more quickly and efficiently. The focus is on reducing risks and uncertainties when implementing new technologies in food processing.
With a network of collaborating companies, this location offers a platform to test new technologies, collect data, and optimize production processes. Through strong ties with both industry and academia, it contributes to sustainable and efficient solutions in the food processing sector.
NXTGEN Handsfree Agrifood activities
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, Food Tech Brainport plays an important role as a test and validation site for the food processing industry. Here, innovative technologies are tested and validated in a real-world environment, with a focus on improving production processes through automation, robotics, and digitalization.
The test facility offers companies the opportunity to integrate and optimize new equipment and software applications. This contributes to the development of more efficient, sustainable, and data-driven food processing techniques.
Digital infrastructure for food processing
Within the NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood program, efforts are being made to develop a flexible and scalable digital infrastructure for the food processing sector. The goal is to improve communication between systems and simplify data exchange. By developing standards and creating digital integrations, companies can operate more efficiently and use data to optimize their processes. This contributes to a future-proof food chain in which technologies are utilized to their full potential.
Automation of production processes
A key focus of NXTGEN is the development and testing of handsfree technologies in food processing. At Food Tech Brainport, research is conducted into how robots and automated systems can contribute to more efficient production lines, reduced waste, and improved food safety. By validating these technologies in a realistic testing environment, companies can more quickly adopt innovative production methods.
Digital twins
Food Tech Brainport offers the ability to digitally simulate production lines using a digital twin. This enables companies to test processes virtually before implementing them physically. As a result, various scenarios can be evaluated, bottlenecks identified early, and production processes optimized. This increases efficiency and reduces the cost of innovation.
Dashboards and visualization tools
To support decision-making, NXTGEN is developing dashboards that provide real-time insights into production data. At Food Tech Brainport, testing is being done to determine how companies can best use this data to monitor and adjust their processes. By combining data from various sources into clear visualizations, it becomes easier to identify trends and implement improvements.
Capabilities of the Food Tech Brainport test facility
Physical Infrastructure
Fully equipped processing lines with advanced sensor and automation technologies.
Trial fields and orchards for hands-on testing of cultivation and harvesting innovations.
Cold storage and warehousing facilities for monitoring and optimizing preservation methods.
Demonstration and testing facilities for validating technologies in a realistic setting.
Digital Infrastructure
Data platforms for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing production data.
Real-time dashboards for continuous monitoring of process parameters.
Digital twin models for simulations and virtual optimization of production lines.
Software integration with AI, machine learning, and process optimization tools.
Expertise and Support
Technical experts for support in validating and scaling up innovations.
Data specialists for processing and interpreting measurement data.
Innovation advisors to guide automation and digitalization efforts.
Want to learn more about testing and validating Innovation Package 3?
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, innovations are tested and optimized to take the next step toward practical application. Curious about the possibilities and how use cases help advance innovations? Our innovation package lead, Lisanne van Oosterhoud, will be happy to tell you more.