AZTI at F4F 2024. Stand

Envirodigital is the ultimate environmental management software (SaaS) solution specifically designed for the food industry, with an emphasis on Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). This innovative tool not only allows you to measure and understand the environmental impact of your products, but also facilitates the implementation of effective strategies for their reduction, adopting eco-design practices and calculating the enviroscore for the environmental labelling of your products

Main functions

• Measurement: Evaluate the environmental footprint of your products, identifying the life cycle stages with the highest environmental impact.
• Reduction: Identify and act on the most critical aspects to minimise the environmental footprint of your products.
• Ecodesign: Develop and compare different ecodesign scenarios to apply the most efficient reduction solutions.
• Enviroscore: Easily calculate and obtain your Enviroscore environmental labelling, thus promoting the sustainability of your products.

Advantages of Envirodigital

• Specialisation: Developed specifically for the food industry, taking into account its particularities and needs.
• Security: We offer maximum confidentiality and data protection, with restricted and secure access.
• Usability: Its intuitive and user-friendly interface ensures effective environmental management, accessible even to non-expert users.

AZPilotManager. More efficient R&D
AZPilotManager is a software designed to improve the R&D test management of pilot plants in the food industry.

It is designed to make ingredient identification, technical testing and prototype development easier and safer. With this system, relevant information from experiments can be quickly accessed through traceable reports.

By streamlining the R&D process, AZPilotManager significantly helps to accelerate the introduction of new products to the market.

It is the only tool specialised in ensuring effective and safe management of pilot plants in the food sector, standing out for its ability to accurately trace all relevant information.

Main functionalities

• Creation and management of detailed ingredient and product cards, including their location in warehouses.
• Advanced expiry and inventory management of ingredients and products in all warehouses.
• Complete traceability of all tests, from raw materials to the final manufacturing process.
• Generation of comprehensive traceability reports accessible by barcode scanning.
• Minimisation of time spent searching for R&D information and preparing audits.
• Encouraging effective collaboration between all team members involved.

Solutions to common problems

• Ensures 100% full traceability of ingredients and products in any pilot plant.
• Improves stock management by providing accurate information on available quantities of each ingredient or product.
• Facilitates the exact location of stored ingredients and products.
• Offers an alternative to implementing costly and complex software.
• Speeds up the introduction of new products to the market..

Competitive advantages

• AZPilotManager is a robust, flexible, intuitive and easy to use software.
• Specifically designed to streamline the management of pilot plants and R&D tests in companies, keeping up to date information on ingredients, processing, traceability and location of materials and products in warehouses.
• It guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information, operating within the company’s servers and accessible only by authorised personnel.
• Independent of other business management systems (such as SAP or RP), offering a customised and efficient solution.
• Provides automatic identification of allergens in products based on the ingredients used.
• Centralises all ingredient and product information in a single application, facilitating access and management.

Comprehensive solution for quality prediction in the agri-food sector through the use of low-cost sensors and customised prediction models based on artificial intelligence.

Our solution focuses on rapid diagnostics of quality parameters through the use of non-destructive sensors. These sensors are calibrated using predictive models that are managed on a centralised digital platform.

It is an easy solution for companies to implement, as it does not require major adaptations to pre-existing processes and infrastructures.

The deployment of the solution is supported by three elements: low-cost sensors, which can be used as a non-invasive and fast method for data collection; machine learning algorithms, which can be used to create predictive models for the quality parameters to be analysed; and a software platform, which enables data visualisation, processing and storage.

Key functionalities

The functionalities that provide real value are the following:

• Capture of process data immediately and without interruption of the production process. Through portable sensors for rapid collection of sampling data and allowing extensive and economical continuous monitoring without interfering with processes or the environment.
• Spectrum storage and processing. It has capabilities to securely store collected spectra, ensuring their integrity and availability for future analysis.
• Predictive analytics: It uses machine learning algorithms to analyse the collected data and create qualitative and quantitative predictive models. These models can predict the typology of a food or its quality parameters.
• Spectrum Data Visualisation: Provides a user interface to visualise real-time or historical data, allowing easy understanding of the patterns and results of the analysis.
• The system has advanced options for model updating and retraining, so it is able to adapt to changes and improve sampling performance in a matter of minutes.

Advantages

• Non-destructive and immediate: Its analysis methods preserve the integrity of the product, allowing the food to maintain its commercial value after measurement. Real-time results enable quick decisions that optimise product labelling and improve product value.
• Extended connectivity: With the capacity to be used with different types of sensors (both NIR and based on other technologies) depending on the need for the measurements to be taken, and fully integrated with cloud-based information systems, ensuring a constant flow of data that is accessible from anywhere and at any time.
• Improved efficiency and environmental impact: The implementation of this type of digital platform allows for improved efficiency in food processing, facilitating decision-making to improve food processing costs and significantly reduce environmental impact.
• The proposed digital solution is a useful tool for food traceability throughout the entire value chain, improving transparency in operations and commercial processes, which is increasingly demanded by the market.

Real added value

This type of initiative, in which advanced technologies are implemented, stimulates progress towards the digitalisation of the agri-food sector, positioning it as a leader in technological and environmental innovation.

We work on precision nutrition, understood as the adaptation of food to the specific needs of the individual, for innovation and the creation of a variety of healthy products. In this sense, we apply cell membrane lipidomics (a state-of-the-art blood test that reveals which nutrients and in what proportion our body needs to function properly) to determine the specific nutritional requirements of population groups. We collaborate with hospitals to carry out clinical nutritional studies.

• Advanced Personalisation: Tailor-made nutritional and supplement recommendations.
• For Everyone: Solutions for athletes, cancer patients, weight management and healthy ageing.
• Innovative Technology: integration of omics and lifestyle biomarkers through AI.

Holistic Plans: We connect your diet with your wellbeing through biomarkers and AI models.

Lipiwell is the personalised nutrition programme developed by AZTI that measures biomarkers that connect metabolism and nutrition through Artificial Intelligence models, generating personalised nutrition plans to improve people’s wellbeing.

Lipiwell is born from the integration of 5 pillars: science, technology, nutrition, AI and people’s behaviour to provide a powerful solution within the field of precision nutrition to ensure a healthier lifestyle for people.

At Lipiwell, we work on 4 key markers:

• Body composition, using 6-frequency bioimpedance.
• Cellular ageing through the analysis of cellular glycation products.
• Physical and mental stress through parameters such as heart rate variability.
• Membrane health, using red blood cell membrane lipids.

Our artificial intelligence models generate a personalised nutritional recommendation that integrates biomarkers and aspects of behaviour and lifestyle.

• Tailor-made solutions: Creation of foods enriched with key nutrients and healthy properties, adapted to the nutritional needs of each stage of life (children and senior public).
• Active Listening: Use of various methodologies with consumers to adjust our products and communications to the real demands of the population (market drivers, confidence, safety, …).

New food ingredients obtained from biotechnological processes

Discover emerging food ingredients obtained through advanced bioprocesses. Through enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation techniques, either solid or submerged, we use fungi and microalgae to develop:

• Food microalgae: These are not only a rich source of protein, but also offer valuable biomolecules such as pigments and functional extracts applicable in human and animal nutrition, nutraceuticals and health.
• Fungi: We enrich plant products with fungal proteins that improve their texture and functional extracts useful in bio-fertilisers and animal feed.

Bio ropes from biodegradable biomaterials in aquaculture

We incorporate biodegradable materials in aquaculture, such as our bio ropes, which have not only increased the efficiency of mussel farming by 85%, but also reduced the environmental footprint by 20%. These ropes reduce the carbon footprint by 34% and the use of fossil resources by 63%, aligning with a vision of sustainable aquaculture.

These bio compostable ropes promote the circular economy at the end of their useful life, and the mussels cultivated with them use resources more responsibly, contributing to the sustainability of the marine ecosystem and the decarbonisation of the sector.

Phages to ensure food quality and safety

The application of bacteriophages is an important milestone for food safety. These natural agents have the ability to attack specific bacteria, improving the quality and integrity of food in the food and fish industry. AZTI has led initiatives to harness the benefits of phages, which can specifically combat harmful bacteria, thus helping to ensure food safety.

Benefits of phages:

• Exclusive capacity against bacteria: They are the natural enemies of bacteria, being totally harmless to the rest of living beings.
• High specificity: Unlike antibiotics, phages infect their target bacteria in a very specific way, without affecting the normal microbiota present in the food, the host or the environment.
• Exponential growth in the presence of the target bacteria.
• Reduced ability to generate bacterial resistance: the application of formulations combining different phages reduces or eliminates the ability of bacteria to develop resistance.
• Naturally occurring: They are the most abundant biological entities on our planet and are found naturally everywhere, including in the food we eat.
• Environmentally friendly in the uses described: given their natural origin and high specificity, the use of phages has no negative effects on the environment.

New methodology for in situ detection of marine biotoxins in bivalve molluscs

Our commitment to improving quality and safety standards in the food industry is embodied in the creation of advanced tools designed to provide practical and effective solutions to both producers and regulatory authorities. This methodology is able to detect the presence of two groups of marine biotoxins (domoic acid and okadaic acid) in bivalve molluscs, reinforcing the control at the initial stages of the food chain.

Thanks to the joint support of the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF 2021-2027), with 85% co-financing, and the Agricultural and Fisheries Management Agency of Andalusia (AGAPA), the project has been working on the development of an in situ detection technique to accurately distinguish samples that are free of the EU-regulated marine biotoxins. After evaluation of its fitness for purpose, the new measurement system has shown its ability to detect domoic acid and okadaic acid group biotoxins at concentration levels of interest, below the maximum permitted limit.

Our analytical methodology will enable the simultaneous assessment of two groups of regulated marine biotoxins in a faster way than currently employed analytical processes, allowing for faster decision making.

Advanced oenology: Histamine-free wine

We offer a histamine-free wine, maintaining all its organoleptic qualities, but eliminating the health risks associated with biogenic amines. This development represents a breakthrough for consumers sensitive to these substances, allowing them to enjoy wine without worry.

Identifying and quantifying the problem:

• Analysis of market needs and technological gaps.

Development of solutions through R&D:

• Applied research and prototype development.
• Proof of concept and intellectual property development.
• Scale-up, pilot demonstration and validation:
  • Technology scale-up to a semi-industrial production environment.
  • Demonstration pilots in real environments and validation with end-users

Feasibility assessment:

• Technical, economic and environmental feasibility analysis.
• Social impact studies and market studies.

Legal and strategic aspects:

• Legal advice to protect intellectual property.
• Development of confidentiality and licensing agreements.
• Networking and strategic collaboration:
  • Identification of industrial (by-product/raw material generators) and commercial (promoters/investors) partners
  • Search for technology developers

Development of business models for the commercialisation of solutions:

• Technology transfer: Technology transfer and licensing, participation and/or turnkey.
• Search for financing:
  • Access to private financing (venture capital, business angels).
  • Applications for grants and public funding.
• Creation and development of New Technology Based Companies (NTBCs):
  • Business incubation and business management support.
  • Support in the development and growth of the company.
• Marketing, consolidation and growth:
  • Definition of business strategies and revenue models.
  • Market expansion and production scaling.
  • Development of new products and services.
  • Internationalisation: search for external markets and global alliances.

Multilayer bars with more than 30% sugar reduction, without artificial sweeteners or polyols.

A product developed under the health driver with the aim of reducing the sugar content of each of the different bars by 30% while maintaining their essence and the indulgence/pleasure associated with their consumption.

These bars, which will be launched on the US market in 2021, have been developed jointly by NATRA and AZTI to be manufactured at NATRA’s factory in Oñate, Gipuzkoa.

Advantages:

• 30% less sugar than a bar with the same characteristics.
• 6,0% – 10% less Kcal than a bar with the same characteristics.
• No sweeteners or polyols.
• No colourings or preservatives.
• High fibre content.
• Shelf life of more than 1 year.

100% vegetable food, nutritionally complete. Replaces a meal.

In collaboration with YUIT, AZTI has carried out an innovation process during which it has managed to design and develop 7 nutritionally balanced powdered product references for consumption after regeneration with water in drink format.

YUIT is a start-up company established in 2020 that markets its products through the online platform “https://yuit.eu“, where Yuit Powders can be found.

Advantages:

• They are “real food” products, 100% vegetable based.
• Provide all the nutrients needed for a simple and perfect diet, Replaces a meal
• In convenient formats for an immediate and healthy consumption option.

High-quality products made from local produce

Itsaslur Centro de Innovación Agroalimentaria, a recently created social insertion company, promoted by the Fundación de Trabajadores de la Siderurgia Integral, has worked with AZTI in the design and development of the production lines for the elaboration of pasteurized creams and sterilized products. The technology center has provided the knowledge and processes necessary to generate a line of products that give added value to vegetables, through processing, nutritional contribution and high sensory quality, responding to the needs of today’s market.

Itsaslur develops ready-to-eat products in the line of creams and ready meals, taking care of the raw material of local origin, the manual process and the final treatment, all of this aimed at ensuring that the product arrives with the highest possible quality and sensoriality, without preservatives or allergens. It also adapts to the current needs of the consumer with its “ready to eat”, healthy and sustainable products.

Through a patented process we have developed a novel snack based on nuts (up to 83%), with an original texture, all the nutritional richness of nuts, no added sugars, no gluten or dairy derivatives. Suitable for vegans.

AZTI has developed for the company Ecolumber, dedicated to the cultivation and commercialization of nuts, a snack that contains all the nutritional and organoleptic properties of nuts and with a new structure that has made it possible to reduce the caloric density. Thus achieving a product that will contribute positively in the battle against obesity.

The product, sold under the Airnuts brand, is available in two varieties: original and flavored. The original range includes almonds, pistachios and peanuts, while the flavored range is based on peanuts flavored with sour cream, hot chilli and salt and pepper.

The Hot Chilli product was awarded Best Flavor of 2022 in the United Kingdom. Its success is largely due to its revolutionary expanded, voluminous and porous structure, which manages to significantly reduce caloric density (calories per serving), without the need to incorporate sugars of any kind.

Uriarte Iturrate S.L.U., a company integrated in the Ecolumber Group, has received the Carrefour award for the best SME, for its strong commitment to innovation in the Air Nuts product.