Where Agri-food R&D&I projects begin
The support we receive from Technological and Innovation Platforms is vital for our activities in managing R&D&I projects in the agri-food industry. Organizational structures like the Plataforma Tecnológica Food for Life Spain (PTF4LS) allow us to gain deeper insights into the scientific and technological needs of our primary sector of specialization, reinforcing our position as one of the leading national Innovation consultancies in the agri-food industry.
The agri-food sector is one of the most significant parts of the Spanish economy, representing approximately 10% of the GDP, encompassing over 30,000 companies (95% of which are SMEs), and generating millions of direct and indirect jobs. Spain is a leading producer and exporter of agricultural and food products in Europe and worldwide. However, the sector faces various challenges requiring innovative solutions, such as the adverse effects of climate change, food security, and digital transformation.
Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) are fundamental pillars for the growth and competitiveness of any economic sector. In Spain’s agri-food sector, R&D&I plays a crucial role in addressing global and local challenges, from food security to climate change, resource efficiency, and sustainability.
We are present in platforms and sectorial forums where professional exchange is the main goal
At artica+i, we are experts in managing R&D&I projects in the agri-food sector. To achieve this, we actively participate in key Technological and Innovation Platforms. These structures play a significant role in coordinating the various public and private stakeholders in a given sector and are crucial in promoting innovative activities, identifying disruptive technologies, fostering fluid and trustworthy public-private collaboration, and detecting new sectoral R&D&I demands.
This is the case, for example, of the Food for Life-Spain Technology Platform (PTF4LS) led by the Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB) and of which we are part since 2019, along with more than 170 partners including companies, research centers, technology centers, associations and other entities.
PTF4LS: A Valuable Ally for Our Clients
The PTF4LS is an organizational structure whose mission is to promote R&D&I in the Food and Beverage Industry by facilitating collaboration among technological agents in the national agri-food ecosystem and the Public Administration. Being part of forums like this allows us to deepen our understanding of the scientific and technological needs of our main sector of specialization and strengthen our position as a leading national Innovation consultancy in the agri-food industry.
PTF4LS articulates its activities around 11 Working Groups, whose priority R&D&I lines are identified in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, updated every two years. These groups are coordinated by renowned professionals in the agri-food sector and the R&D&I world, supporting the following scientific and technical disciplines:
- Food and Health
- Quality, Production, and Sustainability
- Food Safety
- Consumer and New Products
- Training and Talent
- Chain Management
- Packaging
- Meat Sector
- Dairy Sector
- Fruit and Vegetable Sector
- HORECA Sector
As members of this Platform, we participate directly and regularly in some of these Working Groups that are strategic for our activity, since it helps us to form the networking we need to boost the innovative activity of the sector and make it sustainable over time and quality: Training and Talent, Food and Health, Food Safety, Quality, Production and Sustainability, Fruit and Vegetable Sector, Meat Sector and Dairy Sector are some of those that awaken in us a greater interest.
Within the framework of these Groups, we work hand in hand with experts in the sector, both from the business and scientific fields, to prioritize their strategic lines of R&D&I, in such a way that they form the basis on which new ideas for innovative projects are based, which we help to dynamize for our clients. Undoubtedly, an ideal, operative and strategic forum for debate and reflection to boost the competitiveness and positioning of the Spanish agri-food sector as a whole.
In addition, the activity of the PT4FL allows us to guarantee the orientation of the agri-food R&D&I activity and align it with the objectives of the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2021-2027, thus guaranteeing greater success of the companies in the sector in the different public R&D&I calls (European and national).
Beyond National Borders
Moreover, the PTF4LS is one of the 32 national platforms emerging from the European Technology Platform Food for Life (ETP F4L), forming an extensive pan-European network of contacts that includes companies, public research organizations, technology centers, and other entities involved in sectoral R&D&I.
This European dimension supports our efforts in the International Project Funding area within the Innovation Consulting business unit. We promote R&D&I initiatives in collaboration with strategic neighboring countries such as France, Germany, Italy, or Portugal, and other Mediterranean countries. The international focus of the Food For Life Technological Platform is also consolidated in many sector companies, encouraging their presence in significant European Framework Program calls, where Spanish representatives play an increasingly important role, sharing our internationalization strategy for our R&D&I.
