--- title: "Food 2.0" date: 2024-06-27 author: "Aino Laakso" featured_image: "https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/11/Food_2.0_print.jpg" --- # Food 2.0 ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/11/Food_2.0_print-800x450.jpg) ## Food 2.0 ![Food 2.0 research project](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/06/Food2.0_H_RGB-800x235.png)Food 2.0 is extensive research program, aiming to create a Finnish nature-smart food system in which growth, profitability and added value are built on the basis of sustainable production. The Food 2.0 project has been granted a total of EUR 20 million funding in Business Finland’s challenge competition for leading companies. Valio is the first food company that Business Finland has chosen as a leading company. [Food 2.0 themes](#themes) [Join the ecosystem](#join) [materials](#materials) [news & events](#news) [Members](#ecosystem) --- ## The food systems needs a change The current global food supply chain is facing challenges: the world’s population is growing, and the need for food is estimated to double by 2050. Extreme weather conditions, especially droughts, will increase with climate change in areas where majority of food is currently produced. Therefore, the importance of northern regions, such as Finland, in food production is growing. Recent global crises disrupt food supply chains and threaten the security of supply. The world situation has also raised the prices of key inputs such as fertilisers and energy. This is why primary producers are struggling with unprecedented profitability challenges in Finland. At the same time, the environmental impact of food production must be reduced. The entire food system – both plant and animal production – must operate more comprehensively in accordance with the principles of circular economy and resource efficiency. > **“*We need to simultaneously solve the profitability challenge of food production, meet the demands of the growing export markets and move towards more sustainable production methods.*“ > – Tuomas Salusjärvi, EVP, Growth Businesses and R&D at Valio.** > > Valio’s role is to initiate and lead wide-ranging cooperation as well as research and development projects with its current and new Food 2.0 ecosystem partners. Business Finland provided additional funding for the program in April 2026 > > - Hundreds of companies and other operators are connected to the food system in Finland, and the goal is to have at least 250 partners in the Food 2.0 ecosystem partner network. > - Valio’s and the ecosystem’s goal is to invest EUR 185 million more in research and development activities over five years. > - Food 2.0 aims to increase exports connected to the food system by more than EUR 1,5 billion by 2032. > > [Read Valio’s press release 2024](/news/valio-is-launching-an-extensive-rdi-project-food-2-0-with-business-finlands-funding-to-develop-a-food-system-of-the-future/) > > [Read business finland’s press release 2024](https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/whats-new/news/cision-releases/2024/new-leading-companies-kempower-patria-valio-and-wartsila) > > > > [Read Valio’s press release on the expansion of Food 2.0, 2026](/news/food-2-0-research-program-expands-business-finland-provides-significant-additional-funding-to-valio-and-the-ecosystem/) > > > > --- > > ## Food 2.0 themes > > The various research projects and other outputs of the Food 2.0 project focus on four themes: > > - Future products > - Technology transformation > - Regenerative production > - Circular economy and resource efficiency > > [more information on research themes](/news/valios-leading-project-food-2-0-is-progressing-presenting-the-key-personnel-and-research-themes/) > > [Theme introduction: technology transformation](/articles/technology-transformation-in-the-food-industry/) > > [Theme introduction: Future products](/articles/valio-food-2-0-research-theme-future-products/) > > > > [Theme introduction: Regenerative Production](/articles/valio-food-2-0-research-theme-regenerative-production/) > > > > [Theme introduction: Circular economy and resource efficiency](/articles/valio-food-2-0-research-theme-circular-economy-and-resource-efficiency/) > > > > --- > > ## Why join in the Food 2.0 Ecosystem? > > - ***The shift is an opportunity*** • The sustainability transition in the food system is inevitable. Be a pioneer by solving challenges together to create added value and profitability! > - ***Business opportunities in the circular economy*** • Create solutions and expertise across value chain boundaries! > • Gain visibility and find new business partners! > - ***Funding opportunities*** • Take advantage of Business Finland’s leading company ecosystem R&D as well as EU funding opportunities or other R&D funding sources! > • Get insights and connections to upcoming public R&D project preparations. > - ***Networking and collaboration*** • Stay up to date with member news and network, learn and collaborate in ecosystem events! > > ## How to join? > > Food 2.0 welcomes partners and projects as a part of the Ecosystem, if their vision and targets are in line with Food 2.0 vision and roadmap. > > To join the ecosystem, please contact Ecosystem Lead Veera Virtanen (veera.virtanen@valio.fi). You will receive a member application form through email. Please fill the form and let us know your interests and targets. Valio’s Food 2.0 steering group will decide on the approval of the membership. > > *By joining the ecosystem you join an email list and give permission to use your organization’s and project’s name and logo on the Food 2.0 presentation materials and websites.* > > ## Download materials > > [Valio Food 2.0 research program introduction material](https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/04/Valio-Food-2.0.pdf)[Download](https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/04/Valio-Food-2.0.pdf) > > --- > > ## Ecosystem Members > > ![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/04/Ekosysteemikuva_huhtikuu-2026-800x450.jpg)[Food 2.0 Ecosystem members April 2026](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/04/Ekosysteemikuva_huhtikuu-2026.jpg)[Download](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/04/Ekosysteemikuva_huhtikuu-2026.jpg) > > --- > > ## News and events [![The picture shows a cow in a pasture.](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/04/Valio_Alasen_maitotila_15.7.22_Kuvauspalvelu_Salopino-171-400x300.jpg) News ##### VALABio project unlocks the value of animal based sidestream… 28. April 2026 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valabio-project-unlocks-the-value-of-animal-based-sidestreams/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/11/Food_2.0_print-300x300.jpg) News ##### Food 2.0 research program expands: Business Finland provides significant additional funding to Valio and the ecosystem 21. April 2026 ](https://www.valio.com/news/food-2-0-research-program-expands-business-finland-provides-significant-additional-funding-to-valio-and-the-ecosystem/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/03/shutterstock_279643667-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Valio Food 2.0 Annual Seminar 2026 25. March 2026 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valio-food-2-0-seminar-2026/) [![Meri-News](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/02/Meri-News-300x300.jpg) News ##### MERI-NEWS project – Fertilisers from ship emissions 4. February 2026 ](https://www.valio.com/news/meri-news-project-fertilisers-from-ship-emissions/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/01/Bolognese_murusta_H-300x300.jpg) News ##### MetaFerm project develops new fermented plant based food solutions – EUR 1.5 million funding from Business Finland 26. January 2026 ](https://www.valio.com/news/metaferm-project-develops-new-fermented-plant-based-food-solutions-eur-1-5-million-funding-from-business-finland/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/12/orfer-group-valio-food-2-0-200th-memeber-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Orfer is the 200th member of the Valio Food 2.0 ecosystem! 3. December 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/orfer-is-the-200th-member-of-the-valio-food-2-0-ecosystem/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/10/Kerma_Pursotus_-3840x2160-1-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Science, technology and Food for the Future: Introducing Res… 17. October 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/science-technology-and-food-for-the-future-introducing-research-and-development-at-valio/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/10/Apilat-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Valio Food 2.0 Research Theme: Circular Economy and Resource… 17. October 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valio-food-2-0-research-theme-circular-economy-and-resource-efficiency/) [![Food 2.0](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/06/Food_2.0_print_EN-2-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0 RDI projects funded by the Ministry of Agriculture … 13. October 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-rdi-projects-funded-by-the-ministry-of-agriculture-and-forestry/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/03/Valio_Alasen_maitotila_15.7.22_Kuvauspalvelu_Salopino-404-67d7dc7886736-400x267.png) Article ##### Event: Climate Smart Food Chain 8.10. 9. October 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/event-climate-smart-food-chain/) [![Food 2.0](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/06/Food_2.0_print_EN-2-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Event: Webinar 24.11.: Food and Feed Regulatory Jungle 9. October 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/webinar-24-11-food-and-feed-regulatory-jungle/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/10/E5A2626-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Bio2Max – Getting more out of milk chain’s side stream… 2. October 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/bio2max-getting-more-out-of-milk-chains-side-streams/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/06/BrandPhoto_Valio_UNIQOE_0170-1-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0: Innovations for Sustainable Growth –Where Academia… 6. June 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-innovations-for-sustainable-growth-where-academia-meets-industry/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/06/230721_ValioLammi-066-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Valio Food 2.0 research theme: Regenerative Production 5. June 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valio-food-2-0-research-theme-regenerative-production/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2023/04/IMG_0959-kopio-400x267.jpg) Article ##### PRIMARY project aims at upcycling underutilized agricultural… 28. May 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/primary-project-aims-at-upcycling-underutilized-agricultural-feedstocks-into-new-businesses/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/05/Valio_Virrat_2024_KIVIRANTA-18-400x225.jpg) News ##### AGCLIMATE project develops solutions to measure and reduce G… 8. May 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/agclimate-project-develops-solutions-to-measure-and-reduce-ghg-emissions-from-agricultural-lands/) [![Food 2.0 seminar](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/03/shutterstock_2099009599-400x266.jpg) Article ##### Event: Valio Food 2.0 1st Annual Seminar 24. March 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valio-food-2-0-1st-annual-seminar/) [![Future products Food 2.0](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/03/2024_09_10_TK_Valio_1356-1-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Valio Food 2.0 Research Theme: Future Products 7. March 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valio-food-2-0-research-theme-future-products/) [![Fat in a cup on a tray.](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/01/MeltMarble-fat-2-jpg-300x300.jpg) News ##### Valio and Melt&Marble to Develop Next-Gen Food Products 30. January 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/news/valio-and-meltmarble-to-develop-next-gen-food-products/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/01/shutterstock_2327096251-tekoaly-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0 Event: Towards Digitalization and the Data Economy 22. January 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-event-digitalization-transformation-of-the-food-system/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/01/Illallinen_kansallismaisemassa_S01_eps_008-3-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Valio Food 2.0 Project CARBON+ – 2 million in funding 15. January 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/valios-food-2-0-project-2-million-in-funding/) [![Three cows](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2025/01/Illallinen_kansallismaisemassa_S01_eps_019-1-400x267.jpg) News ##### Food 2.0 Co-Innovation project AWVS 10. January 2025 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-co-innovation-project/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/09/Lauri.Hyyppa3_169-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Event: Webinar on Funding for food sector R&D 4.12. 21. November 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/funding-webinar-food20/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/11/43276_nyhtokaurakaristys-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Targeted raw materials for different product types will give… 27. November 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/targeted-raw-materials-for-different-product-types-will-give-competitive-advantage-to-domestic-high-quality-plant-based-products/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/11/shutterstock_2195983193-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0’s first co-innovation project FoodID 24. November 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0s-first-co-innovation-project-foodid/) [![Food 2.0 microalgae project](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/09/AlgaTECH-levatuotantolaitos-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0 project AlgaCircle 18. September 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-project-algacircle/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/10/shutterstock_2327096251-tekoaly_Valio.fi_n-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Research theme: Technology transformation in the food indust… 4. October 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/technology-transformation-in-the-food-industry/) [![Food 2.0](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/09/shutterstock_554286286-400x344.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0 Ecosystem 100th Member 11. September 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-ecosystem-100th-member/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/08/shutterstock_1588653487-400x267.jpg) Article ##### Event: Food 2.0 Export Webinar 23.9. 15. August 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-webinar/) [![](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/06/shutterstock_2173525569-400x225.jpg) Article ##### Food 2.0 Kick Off 27. June 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/articles/food-2-0-kick-off/) [![Food 2 0 print EN landscape](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/05/81d999988047db7a_org-300x300.jpg) News ##### Valio’s leading project, Food 2.0, is progressing – presenting the key personnel and research themes 21. May 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/news/valios-leading-project-food-2-0-is-progressing-presenting-the-key-personnel-and-research-themes/) [![Food 2.0 landscape](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2024/02/97852234454a56fa_org-300x300.jpg) News ##### Valio is launching an extensive RDI project Food 2.0 with Business Finland’s funding to develop a food system of the future 16. February 2024 ](https://www.valio.com/news/valio-is-launching-an-extensive-rdi-project-food-2-0-with-business-finlands-funding-to-develop-a-food-system-of-the-future/)