• NEIKER was at the fifth edition of the fair, from 13 to 15 May at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) in Barakaldo.
• It took part in the congress with two technical presentations: one on obtaining protein ingredients from underused legumes and the other on emerging animal diseases linked to climate change.
• At the Basque Government’s stand, the technology centre showcased its technological bets on vertical indoor farming and agrovoltaics.

From 13 to 15 May, Food 4 Future – Expo FoodTech, the leading event in innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for the food industry, returned. Once again that year, NEIKER actively participated, sharing our latest research and technological solutions to promote a more sustainable and resilient agri-food model.

Participation in the international congress with two key themes

Our presence at the congress took the form of two technical interventions that addressed current challenges from complementary approaches.

On 14 May, Amaia Ortiz, head of the Plant Production and Protection Department, participated in the session Integrated strategies for obtaining protein ingredients from underused pulses. This round table dealt with the development of functional ingredients for a new generation of foods through the promotion of integrated initiatives. The session presented how sustainable innovations in the field and solutions in food processing could enable the transformation of underutilised pulses into new protein-rich ingredients.

On 15 May, the researcher Aitor Cevidanes, from the Department of Animal Health, took part in the session ‘Food Safety Risks Emerging from Climate Change’. In his talk he explained how climate change was affecting the distribution of vectors that transmit animal diseases, causing the expansion and re-emergence of pathologies such as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever or piroplasmosis. Cevidanes highlighted the need to apply an integrated One Health approach to monitor, anticipate and mitigate these risks that impacted animal health and food safety.

Cutting-edge agricultural technologies in the exhibition area

NEIKER was also present in the ExpoFoodTech area, within the Basque Government stand, where we showcased technological solutions that we were developing as part of our agritech roadmap.

We brought a demonstration unit for indoor vertical farming, a cultivation technology in closed and controlled spaces, which allowed us to produce more with fewer resources. This infrastructure had four cultivation levels and automated systems that regulated irrigation, light, temperature and CO₂. This technology reduced water consumption by up to 95% and the use of fertilisers by 70%, thus contributing to a more efficient agriculture with less environmental impact.

In addition to indoor vertical farming, we presented the AgriPower project, an initiative that explored the potential of agrovoltaics as a solution for making agricultural production and solar energy generation compatible.

Commitment to a more sustainable and technological agricultural model

Our participation in Food 4 Future 2025 reinforced our commitment to the advancement of the Basque agri-food sector through science, technology and collaboration. In a context marked by climate change and the need to guarantee safe and sustainable food, we continued to work to offer real and transformative solutions.