Alfa Laval launches Copenhagen-based Food Innovation Centre to support sustainable food production

Alfa Laval has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Food Innovation Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark. The project represents a key milestone in Alfa Laval’s capital investment strategy and reflects its commitment to supporting sustainable food production for a growing global population.

The Food Innovation Centre will focus on addressing critical challenges, such as increasing food production by 70% by 2050, as projected by the United Nations, while simultaneously reducing the environmental footprint of the food industry. These challenges are compounded by the sector’s need to achieve net-zero targets and implement sustainable practices across value chains.

“This investment is one piece of the puzzle in tackling the challenges of supplying sustainable food today and in the future,” said Sammy Hulpiau, President of Alfa Laval’s Food & Water Division. “We see our role as enabling the essential transition of the global food system to meet both the increasing demand for food and producing it in a radically different way—using less water, less energy, and adopting a holistic approach to resources. To us, this is what pioneering positive impact really means.”

Located at the headquarters of Alfa Laval’s Food and Water business, the new centre will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development. Spanning approximately 1,200m², the facility will include a visitor centre and will focus on driving transformative change in food production through advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization.

The centre’s strategic location places it in the heart of Denmark’s thriving bio-solutions ecosystem, close to the region’s strong academic base in Copenhagen and Southern Sweden. By fostering collaboration with industry experts, from start-ups to global corporations and academic institutions, Alfa Laval aims to accelerate the development of solutions that enhance food production efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.

Work on the facility has already begun, with the official opening planned for 2027. Once operational, it will provide a platform for food producers to leverage both existing and emerging technologies to adapt to evolving environmental conditions and the demands of a growing global population.

With more than 140 years of experience in the food industry, Alfa Laval has long been a key player in driving sustainable practices. The Food Innovation Centre builds on this legacy, aligning with the company’s long-term vision of transforming the global food system.

The facility will focus on solutions that minimize resource consumption, including energy and water, while maximizing efficiency in food production processes. By enabling food producers to meet sustainability goals without compromising productivity, the centre will contribute to a more resilient and environmentally conscious global food industry.

“This centre underscores our responsibility to help the food sector transition toward more sustainable practices,” Hulpiau added. “By combining our expertise with cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaboration, we aim to support food producers in overcoming the challenges of today and preparing for the demands of the future.”