Valio, a leading Finnish food company, has embarked on an extensive research, development, and innovation initiative called Food 2.0, aimed at creating a sustainable, nature-smart food system in Finland. With the support of EUR 10 million in funding from Business Finland’s challenge competition, and additional ecosystem funding of EUR 20 million, Valio’s project promises to transform the food production landscape over the next five years. The initiative is set to foster cooperation among hundreds of companies and stakeholders, with a vision to significantly enhance research and development activities and boost exports connected to the Finnish food system.
Driving Sustainability and Profitability in Finnish Food Production
Valio’s Food 2.0 project is designed to initiate and lead collaborative efforts with existing and new partners, striving to integrate sustainability with growth and profitability in food production. The overarching goal is to invest an additional EUR 100 million in research and development over the next five years while aiming to increase exports by more than EUR 1 billion in the years following the project’s completion. This initiative marks Valio as the first food company chosen by Business Finland as a leading company, underscoring its commitment to spearheading sustainable food production.
Tuomas Salusjärvi, EVP of Growth Businesses and R&D at Valio, emphasizes the necessity of collective reform in the food system, stating, “It is important that we reform the food system with all the actors involved, as that is the only way that we will succeed in the change. By being a forerunner in sustainable food production, we can create added value for food produced in Finland while improving its profitability and international competitiveness.” Business Finland’s Director-General, Nina Kopola, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting the project’s objectives through comprehensive services.
Addressing Global Food System Challenges and Embracing Circular Economy Principles
The global food supply chain faces numerous challenges, including a growing population, climate change, and geopolitical crises, which threaten food security and increase production costs. Valio’s Food 2.0 project aims to address these issues by promoting sustainable production methods and enhancing resource efficiency. The initiative recognizes the increasing importance of northern regions like Finland in global food production, especially as climate change exacerbates extreme weather conditions in traditional agricultural areas.
Salusjärvi points out the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the food system, stating, “We need to solve the profitability challenge of food production, meet the demands of the growing export markets, and move towards more sustainable production methods. A new, more sustainable food system will build growth for food exports and also create new export opportunities, for example, in circular economy and digitalization solutions.”
The project advocates for a comprehensive circular economy approach, where nutrients, energy, and side streams are efficiently circulated to minimize waste and conserve natural resources. Valio is already committed to implementing circular economy principles in its operations and aims to extend this cooperation across different industries and production methods. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Food 2.0 project aspires to create a sustainable, resilient, and profitable food system that benefits the environment and strengthens food security in Finland and beyond.
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