Alfa Laval is teaming up with some of the EU’s most innovative technological solution finders in a bid at the forefront of Europe’s water challenges. Alfa Laval is drawing on its vast experience from a wide range of industries and both private and public sectors – such as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Mining and Marine industries as well as wastewater treatment in municipalities and onboard ships.
The EU’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is seeking a consortium to run its latest Knowledge & Innovation Community (KIC) around Water, joining the 9 KICs already in operation that tackle themes such as digitalisation, energy, food and health.
The concept of the KICs was developed and launched by the EIT 15 years ago to boost Europe’s competitiveness against its global peers. That challenge was starkly illustrated by the Draghi Report of September last year, which outlined recommendations for boosting the competitiveness and productivity of the EU – such as boosting entrepreneurship and enabling speedier commercialisation and upscaling of innovative solutions. Europe is cited by The Economist to be 80 % less competitive than the US.
Consortium bids to form the new Water KIC were filed on June 17. Alfa Laval has signed up to the One Water bid, which bears testimony to its dedication to transition leadership in the water sector. Alfa Laval’s Water Industry Manager, Eline Suijlen, is excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“This is the first time that we have been involved in a KIC bid, and it touches on all we do at Alfa Laval,” says Eline Suijlen. “We are committed to our purpose to pioneer positive impact, and this cannot be done without addressing water. This is the currency of the planet.”
The name of One Water consortium reflects the understanding that there is one water body only across freshwater and maritime waters. The holistic approach is reflected in the partners in the consortium, many of whom are from the public sector such as universities and research centres. They are looking for companies like Alfa Laval to provide the private sector context and vision of water stewardship and maritime water management based on decades of global experience finding innovative commercial and sustainable solutions for customers.
As outlined by the EIT, the Water KIC will be looking at three core challenges:
- Scarcity, drought and floods
- Marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation
- Developing a circular and sustainable blue economy
Within each of those themes, the EIT is looking for a consortium who will form a KIC that boosts innovation, business creation and education, themes that are in Alfa Laval’s DNA and where Eline Suijlen believes it can add huge value to the bid.
The consortium is a forum that benefits the dialogue Alfa Laval has in discussion around water across freshwater and maritime waters in the whole value chain across academia, research institutes, and of course private and public companies, says Eline Suijlen.
“It is a very powerful combination, and we benefit from engaging as part of this process with parties we would not normally engage with as part of our normal business. For example, we see great potential in having access to cutting-edge research and technology development at a European scale, which will benefit our own R&D and future development,” says Eline Suijlen.
It is crucial for Alfa Laval that the Water KIC will offer various educational programs. “By co-creating these programs within the consortia today, we will be able to upskill our employees and partners and attract new talent,” says Eline Suijlen. “The launch of this KIC is making a big statement that smart water management is a key milestone for building water resilient societies. Without water there is no life and in the current geopolitical situation it is important that Europe is competitive, and for us it is a source of pride that Alfa Laval is part of this.”
SIG joins MISTA – a center for global food tech innovation
SIG has joined MISTA, the San Francisco-based food innovation platform that unites the most innovative food, ingredient, and food tech companies around the world. At the beginning of November, SIG joins the MISTA in Action event in San Francisco. At this annual event, MISTA brings together leaders from the global food and beverage industry to discuss ways of jointly transforming the global food system into a more regenerative one.
MISTA’s purpose is to help accelerate the transformation of the food system to meet the needs of the future. No single company can do this on its own, but together they have the potential to address and solve some of the biggest challenges.
SIG’s ambition is to co-create next-generation innovation for the food and beverage industry – not only in terms of packaging, but also product. By joining MISTA, SIG will be part of a global cross-dimensional innovation platform, which creates an environment for members to innovate together by providing access to a vast array of experts from across the food system, state-of-the-art development labs and commercial kitchens, to facilitate new food advances.
Norman Gierow, Director Global Customer Marketing & Positioning at SIG: “As we strive for better to provide End-2-End solutions for our customers, we also acknowledge the global challenges faced across the entire food and beverage industry. These challenges can only be tackled in collaboration with strong, like-minded industry partners. Being part of MISTA enables us to work together with other businesses and partners, who are looking for ways to catalyze unique innovations and regenerative solutions – to ultimately transform the food and beverage space sustainably.”
MISTA provides a holistic approach to the global food system by focusing on six key forces (nodes): digital; sustainable packaging; plant-based; nutrition; regenerative business; and biotech. SIG values the way MISTA provides its members with a deep understanding of each node, as well as the interconnectedness with each other and the broader food system. SIG’s future collaboration with members can be interlinked on multiple impact areas on its journey to become net positive, e.g. climate, forest, resource, and food. But first and foremost, SIG will focus on offering its sustainable packaging expertise, as well as regenerative business and nutrition advice.
Scott May, Founder & Head of MISTA: “We are excited to have SIG as part of the MISTA network. SIG’s expertise and capabilities in aseptic filling and sustainable packaging solutions and their global test filling and co-creation capabilities will enable members to bring new product concepts and ideas to life and co-create next generation solutions. By joining forces with ingredient experts, processing partners and SIG as a filling and packaging solution provider, the whole value chain is covered.”
MISTA’s goal to provide food and nutrition in a sustainable way to the entire world is a crucial one, with global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 according to the United Nations. Ensuring healthy diets for all, while at the same time limiting global warming, requires sweeping changes to food production and how the world eats and lives – and this is where MISTA has set its mission.
Klaveness Digital announces its latest partnership with Citrosuco, a global leader in orange juice concentrate production, as the company adopts CargoValue to optimise supply chain operations. Citrosuco is the latest to join a growing community of industrial companies taking the lead in how they manage their seaborne supply chain.
In today’s highly competitive market, Citrosuco recognises the value of incorporating advanced technologies to support its standing in the global citrus industry. The company’s dedication to creating top-quality products and embracing environmentally responsible practices has encouraged its pursuit of innovative solutions for enhancing its supply chain.
With the adoption of CargoValue, Citrosuco can now efficiently plan and manage their entire shipping and inventory schedule in one solution with a single source of information, from planning to production, allowing the company to reduce risks and costs. Citrosuco currently has 5 marine terminals located in: Santos (BR), Wilmington (USA), Gent (Belgium), Toyohashi (Japan) and Newcastle (Australia), as well as 5 dedicated ships and 1 multi-cargo vessel.
According to Luiz Fernando Ragonha Jr, the Director of Supply Chain Planning at Citrosuco’s Santos Port Terminal, the adoption of CargoValue by Citrosuco reaffirms the company’s prominent position in the global citrus industry. By embracing this cutting-edge technology, Citrosuco demonstrates its unwavering commitment to keeping pace with the latest industry trends and advancements. The implementation of this solution not only enables Citrosuco to streamline its operations and decrease operating costs, but also plays a crucial role in reducing the company’s environmental impact. By identifying opportunities for more sustainable transportation and storage practices, Citrosuco actively contributes to its CO₂ emission reduction targets, thereby aligning itself with a more environmentally conscious future.
Greater efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability in the supply chain
“By incorporating CargoValue into their operations, Citrosuco demonstrates their forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence,” said Aleksander Stensby, CEO at Klaveness Digital AS. “We’re excited to partner with Citrosuco to help them achieve greater efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability in their global supply chain.”
