Spanish food and technology sectors focus on R&D and industrial innovation

The Spanish food and technology sectors are prioritizing research, development, and innovation (R&D+i) to maintain global competitiveness. Eduardo Cotillas, R&D+i director of the Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB), highlighted the need for investment to translate research into value-added solutions for both companies and consumers.

Key challenges include overcoming barriers to industrial process improvements and fostering collaboration between businesses, technological centers, and universities. While Spain has made significant strides in scientific knowledge generation, experts emphasize that economic impact depends on how effectively companies incorporate these technologies into their products.

Technological centers in Spain play a vital role in this ecosystem. Data from the Valencian Institute of Economic Research (Ivie) indicates that the activity of these centers generates approximately 7,702 million euros in GDP and supports over 127,000 jobs. Despite the growth in research contracts, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to face hurdles, such as limited resources and specialized personnel, when attempting to adopt new technologies.