Manufacturers of processing technology, integral to the food and beverage industry trends from farm to fork, are forming a new organization.
Named Food Manufacturing Technologies Europe (FMTE), this alliance includes prominent players such as packaging innovator Tetra Pak, fluid handling expert Alfa Laval, bottling machinery leader Krones, and key processing contributor SPX Flow.
The alliance aims to address the pressing “lack of a unified voice” in the food manufacturing landscape. Its mission encompasses a range of critical roles within the food processing technology sector: enhancing research and development, influencing food and drink regulations, and bolstering resilience and competitiveness in the industry.
“Until now, the companies that provide the core technologies enabling food production, from processing equipment to digital solutions, were not collectively represented at the European level. As EU policy increasingly focuses on food systems sustainability, green industrial transformation, and digital innovation, this sector needs a platform to voice its perspective, showcase its solutions, and support shared challenges,” explains Charles Brand, president of FMTE.
Prior to this initiative, the sector had been fragmented, only being represented by larger associations like FoodDrinkEurope, as Brand points out.
“While this has served operational interests, it left a strategic blind spot at the EU level, particularly when it comes to speaking as one collective voice on system-wide challenges like resource efficiency, innovation investment, or food system resilience.”
Boosting R&D
The food and drink industry innovation often struggles when scaling new advancements, especially while prioritizing sustainability. FMTE seeks to transform this scenario by fostering a collaborative environment that enhances research and development.
For instance, FMTE intends to scale sustainable solutions within food manufacturing, promoting digital technology usage to reduce waste and improve energy and water efficiency. The overarching goal aligns with enhancing food distribution trends while supporting the EU’s climate objectives.
“While FMTE does not itself conduct R&D, it creates a collaborative environment where members can identify shared challenges, co-invest in EU project opportunities, and highlight technological solutions for policy and funding agendas,” explains Brand.
Influencing Policy
Navigating new regulatory frameworks presents a significant challenge for the manufacturing sector.
FMTE aims to represent this sector within the EU, giving it an influential voice in policymaking. The organization will provide insights and evidence from an industry lens to EU policymakers, intending to “act as a resource . . . providing industry expertise on the technical and operational implications of legislation, and collaborate with EU institutions, agencies, and relevant alliances to align public and private innovation efforts.”
Strengthening Competitiveness
According to LP Information, the five largest food manufacturers capture 15% of the global market. Thus, enhancing competitiveness remains a crucial challenge for the sector.
FMTE will facilitate “pre-competitive collaboration between members on strategic themes like digitalisation, resource efficiency, and regulatory compliance,” explains Brand.
“This is enhanced by supporting SMEs in particular, through knowledge exchange and shared guidance.”
