UPPLEV Norr - Development of products and processes for food through explorative value creation in northern Sweden

Purpose and goal:

During the feasibility study, resources and competencies (general and raw material-specific) were identified that may need to be linked to a "food lab". Relevant methodology for product and process development in collaboration was also developed and tested in a series of workshops. Ideas about a business model for the "food lab" were also explored as it was considered an essential part for the lab to function in the long term.

Expected results and effects:

The study has provided insights into the possibilities of creating a collaborative platform and test and development environment for technical solutions which in turn can create practical conditions for developing and testing new products and processes for sustainable plant-based everyday food in northern Sweden. An expected effect is to contribute to finding solutions for circular food production, which places increasing eligibility requirements on cooperation between different actors in the food industry.

Approach and implementation:

The work was centered around a fictitious practical case which provided insights on a general level about the needs and requirements on a food lab´s offering to stakeholders and facilitated the development of methodology for product and process development in collaboration. The work packages focusing on the development of potential value flow, resources and competence inventory and evaluation of sustainability perspectives have been conducted in parallel and to a large extent in collaboration within the project group, which has led to a good dissemination of knowledge.