- The overall aim of the NutriGen 4.0 R&D&I project is to design a biotechnological process that can monitor, simulate and predict outcomes in the production of food supplements, using advanced calculation and modelling tools.
- The pilot results will make it possible to implement new, more efficient production processes.
- The project is part of the Galician Innovation Agency's (GAIN) 'Fábrica Intelixente e Sostible' programme of aid for strategic Industry 4.0 projects.
Hifas da Terra (HdT) and the technology centre ANFACO-CECOPESCA presented NutriGen 4.0, an industrial innovation project to apply Industry 4.0 technologies to the smart, sustainable production of mushroom-based food supplements, improving process efficiency and the traceability of natural raw materials.
The online presentation, broadcast from HdT's headquarters in Bora (Pontevedra), featured HdT's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Arturo Rodríguez, and Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Esteban Sinde Stompel; and, from ANFACO-CECOPESCA, Secretary General Juan Manuel Vieites Baptista de Sousa and the heads of Digitalisation and Industry 4.0 and of Biotechnology and Health, Hugo Barreiro and Celina Costas. GAIN director Patricia Argerey Vilar highlighted the project's 'disruptive nature' and 'strategic commitment'.
Innovation and competitiveness
Dr Sinde said the project 'will allow the development of an intelligent and environmentally friendly industry'. Mr Vieites added that it is 'aligned with international trends' and 'sets the standard for a new innovative production model' for Galicia.
31 months of transformation
Dr Rodríguez described NutriGen 4.0 as a 'transformational project' that will optimise production processes. It builds on previous R&D projects: CosmetInnova, for example, led to improvements in extraction, concentration and the solubility of fungal extracts.
Fractionation and monitoring
'Technology and processes determine the composition of the final extract,' said Dr Rodríguez. NutriGen 4.0 will explore fractionation – dividing extracts into fractions to identify their compounds – together with real-time sensor monitoring, warehouse-management integration, automated production orders and automated quality analysis. ANFACO-CECOPESCA's experience in process monitoring, Industry 4.0 and molecular biology will be key.
The pilot will take place in 'high-tech rooms' at HdT's facilities in Bora; once validated, the production system will be scaled up.
Researchers of the NutriGen 4.0 project. From left to right: Hugo Barreiro (ANFACO-CECOPESCA), Elena Balboa (HdT), Celina Costas (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) and Arturo Rodríguez (HdT).
Project details
- Consortium: Hifas da Terra and ANFACO-CECOPESCA.
- Total budget: €2,058,312.86 – HdT €1,004,953.01 (49%) and ANFACO-CECOPESCA €1,013,444.83 (51%).
- One of nine projects selected in GAIN's 'Fábrica Intelixente' programme to improve the competitiveness of Galicia's strategic sectors.