Food innovation for the future
The newly built National Food Innovation Hub
Teagasc has invested in new infrastructure to support innovation within the Irish food and drink industry.
In 2021, Irish state agency Bord Bia listed ‘Health and Wellbeing’ and ‘Responsible Living’ amongst the key trends that will impact the Irish food and drink industry going forward.
In recent years, Teagasc, along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and other funders, has invested heavily in the research and development capabilities available to Irish food companies. By improving infrastructure, Teagasc hopes to help companies reach their innovation potential and meet consumer trends.
National Food Innovation Hub and Moorepark Technology Ltd
DAFM has invested in the development of a National Food Innovation Hub at Teagasc Moorepark, as well as a €10 million upgrade alongside shareholders from the Irish dairy industry to the adjoining Moorepark Technology Ltd (MTL). These investments have created a unique research environment for national and international food companies.
The Hub provides confidential office and laboratory space for companies to establish a research base. Meanwhile, MTL provides a pre-commercial-scale environment for the development of food and beverage products, using the latest thermal, separation, dehydration and biotransformation technologies.
Clients at the Hub and MTL include companies from the dairy industry, along with other enterprises developing and producing natural food colourings, fermented foods, nutritional beverages and probiotic formulations.
A key priority for MTL is driving innovation in sustainable food processing, providing low temperature drying technologies, as well as validating new process analytical tools to improve plant efficiency and energy usage.
Join us for a tour of the Food Innovation Hub:
National Prepared Consumer Food Centre
The National Prepared Consumer Food Centre (NPCFC) is a state-of-the-art centre located at Teagasc Ashtown, dedicated to supporting research, development and innovation in companies of all sizes across the sector. Recently extended, the NPCFC incorporates a dedicated packaging suite, continuous thermal processing system and an extensive range of pilot-scale drying, extrusion and specialist food processing equipment, procured through a €10 million DAFM investment.
Access to these advanced facilities, alongside Teagasc expertise, provides crucial support to companies targeting new retail market opportunities, reformulating products, extending shelf life and adopting more sustainable production and packaging practices.
BIA Innovator Campus
Located at Teagasc Athenry, the BIA Innovator Campus supports food entrepreneurs and small enterprises seeking incubation, scaling and innovation infrastructure in one location. Teagasc is amongst the founding partners responsible for the establishment of this campus, and is actively supporting the growth of the BIA Innovator.
The Campus will provide a mixture of technical, innovation and commercial support for food business, whilst also establishing an active network of food professionals, suppliers and potential investors. An auditorium, classrooms and demonstration kitchens will serve as an engaging visitor attraction for culinary tourism in the west of Ireland.
The recently extended NPCFC incorporates an extensive range of specialist equipment
Contributors
Muireann Egan
Communications Officer
Teagasc Food Research
Centre, Moorepark.
muireann.egan@teagasc.ie
Mark Fenelon
Head of Food Research Programme
Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark.
Ciara McDonagh
Head of Food Industry
Development Department
Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown.
Shay Hannon
Manager of NPCFC
Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown.