Innovation and Sustainability in Food Production The exponential growth of the world's population presents critical challenges in terms of food supply and security. According to the FAO, by 2050 we will need to produce 70% more food to feed a global population that will reach 9.7 billion people. This monumental challenge requires innovative and sustainable solutions, and this is where food engineering plays a crucial role.

Global Challenges in Food Production

Food scarcity has become a global concern due to factors such as climate change, soil degradation, decreasing water resources, and the increasing demand for agricultural products. These challenges underscore the need to research and develop new technologies that not only improve the efficiency of food production but also minimize waste and ensure the quality and safety of products.

The Need for Research in Food Processes

Research in food engineering is vital for developing innovative solutions that address the challenges of food production and distribution. Pilot plants are fundamental in this process, as they allow researchers and professionals to experiment with and optimize new methods and technologies in a controlled environment before large-scale implementation. These facilities are essential for simulating real production conditions, providing valuable data for process optimization and the formulation of effective solutions.

Why Are Pilot Plants Useful?

Pilot plants allow researchers to simulate and study real production conditions in a controlled environment. This is particularly useful for identifying and solving problems before large-scale implementation, reducing risks and costs. Additionally, they provide a platform to test and refine new technologies and methods, ensuring they are efficient and effective before industrial use.

What Can Be Investigated?

Our pilot plants enable the investigation of a wide range of food processes, from production to packaging and storage. This versatility allows researchers to adapt systems to various needs and study objectives.

  • Versatility: Designed to study a wide range of food processes, from production to packaging and storage.
  • Scalability: Results obtained in these facilities can be easily transferred to industrial levels, facilitating the implementation of improvements in the food production chain.
  • Energy Efficiency: Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that minimize energy consumption and reduce environmental impact.
  • Control and Monitoring: Advanced control and monitoring systems that allow continuous and precise tracking of process variables, ensuring the quality and safety of products.

Examples of Applications Already Developed:

Here are some areas where our pilot plants have proven to be particularly useful:

  • Dairy: From yogurt and pasteurized milk to powdered milk, cream, butter, cheese, and cottage cheese. Our advanced pilot plants and high-tech solutions ensure precise and efficient production, crucial for meeting the quality and demand challenges in the dairy sector.
  • Meat: Research and training processes in cured meats, sausages, cooked cuts, and pre-cooked meats. With our pilot plants, production processes are thoroughly monitored, ensuring precision and efficiency in meat production.
  • Cereals: Cutting-edge solutions for cereal research and training. From milling and flour production to bread, pasta making, and grain malting. Pilot plants ensure precise and efficient production, vital for maintaining quality and meeting industry standards.
  • Oils: Innovative solutions for oil research and training. We cover everything from extraction and refining to blending and packaging. Our cutting-edge technology ensures precise and efficient production.
  • Fruits, Vegetables, and Legumes: Processing of purees, fruit pulps, essences, concentrated juices, dressings, sauces, jams, and more. Specialized systems for citrus and tomato products ensure efficient and precise production, meeting quality and sustainability demands.
Pilot Plants for Food

Case Study: Pilot Plant for Cereal Malting, “CE00/MA” for TEAGASC (Ireland)

One of our most notable collaborations is the CE00/MA pilot plant developed for TEAGASC, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority of Ireland. This facility is an example of how engineering can drive food research. Its main features include:

  • Versatility: Allows the study of different food processes.
  • Scalability: Facilitates the implementation of improvements at the industrial level.
  • Energy Efficiency: Minimizes energy consumption and reduces environmental impact.
  • Control and Monitoring: State-of-the-art equipment ensures precise process control.

Thanks to this pilot plant, researchers can replicate the malting process under a wide variety of conditions. This allows local producers to test their products and optimize their processes, ensuring production quality and efficiency. The ability to simulate and adjust different parameters in a controlled environment provides valuable data that can be applied on an industrial scale, improving producers' competitiveness and sustainability.

Conclusion

Food engineering is essential to address the challenges associated with food scarcity and the growing global population. At EDIBON, we are committed to developing pilot plants and customized solutions that facilitate the research and optimization of food processes. Our collaboration with institutions demonstrates the positive impact these technologies can have on the food industry, contributing to a more sustainable and secure future.

For more information about our pilot plants and customized solutions, visit our website or contact us.

"Together, we can innovate and transform the way we produce and distribute food globally."