News

The FOX project (Food Processing in a Box) aimed to develop innovative food processing methods, with a focus on providing small and medium-sized enterprises the capability to process fruits and vegetables using mobile and flexible units. The research primarily concentrated on technologies with the potential to deliver high-quality end products with nutritional value. FOX particularly emphasized gentle processing methods and considered the entire food value chain.

Fraunhofer ISI was responsible for the  »Business models and foresight« work package in FOX. A team led by Björn Moller (Department Foresight) identified and analyzed trends that could influence the innovation system in the food sector by 2035. Additionally, the Deparment of Foresight led a scenario process to develop future scenarios depicting how the conditions of the innovation system would evolve in different model regions of Europe. This facilitated discussions on robust business strategies capable of demonstrating successful business models across various future scenarios.

The project's results were presented by Björn Moller (Deparment Foresight) during the project's closing event in Brussels in September. Furthermore, Ewa Dönitz (Department Foresight) participated in a panel discussion on the »Impact of the FOX approaches: sustainability, business opportunities, consumer engagement« at the 37th EFFoST International Conference in Valencia in October.

FOX represented a unique collaboration involving universities, research institutions, SMEs, industry, and associations. The EU Commission's Horizon 2020 research program provided seven million euros for this purpose. The project spanned four and a half years (2019-2023) and officially concluded at the end of November.

To the brochure: Local food systems – Recipes for future proof business models [ PDF  2,9 MB ]