At SLU in Umeå a group of researchers have developed a new way of introducing steam in fuel-pellet production. This is a new, patented method that radically reduces energy consumption during pelleting, whilst retaining the finished product’s quality.
Maria Klintenäs is a business and innovation adviser at SLU Holding. Her remit is to contribute to the startup of new research-based companies – a remit that involves progressing expertise, ideas, services and solutions that can provide a more sustainable level of food production and can combat climate change.
Thanks to a strong driving force regarding contribution to sustainable food provision from a global perspective, combined with valuable experience from a Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) project in Cambodia, Anna Jansson, professor of domestic animal physiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) developed an interest in crickets – an interest that inspired continued research into the protein-rich house cricket and formation of the company SciIns, whose offering is a breakthrough within the industry.
Digital technology has been used for several years in the agricultural sector. The development is fast and from initially being used in ventilation, feeding and animal environments, the technology is now entering the animals via microchips and sensors.
Mats Wiktorsson is a business and innovation advisor at SLU Holding. He has extensive experience in marketing and business development and is passionate about climate issues - this is a global challenge that researchers at SLU can contribute to with knowledge that helps to achieve the UN sustainability goals. The work that Mats and his colleagues at SLU Holding are particularly engaged in is the finding of ways to build on the results of research.
Elin Röös is researching sustainable food production and land use at SLU. Contributing current knowledge on the environmental impact of food, clarifying concepts and finding answers to difficult questions are what drive her. She is inspired by people who have the courage to speak the truth and are passionate about research coming to good use. Decisions must be based on knowledge; not half-truths or myths.
Mattias Eriksson’s research focuses on how the food system can become more sustainable through reduced food waste. Even if it is not a technical problem but rather a matter of overconsumption at its base, Matthias’ hope is to use a new technical solution to provide commercial kitchens and restaurants with a tool which can effectively reduce food waste. But more will be needed. The problem of food waste requires political leadership and a real willingness to resolve the issue.
In the Plant Protein Factory the aim is to become a raw-material supplier of plant proteins. The first stage involves extracting proteins from plant tops, plant parts and other green plant material that is not currently used but remains in the fields after the harvest. The technology exists. The challenge is to scale up and develop the process – and make it profitable.
A new, more climate-friendly rice produces higher yields while lowering greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies. The rice can also thrive in a warmer climate. Associate professor Chuanxin Sun and his research team at SLU are behind the award-winning research that led to this climate rice.
“If this rice were to be grown globally, it could potentially mean food for 200 million more people, while reducing the carbon footprint by a corresponding 120 million cars,” Sun explains.
At Balsgård in northwestern Skåne, SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) has a plant-breeding business with an emphasis on fruit and berries. Aroma, Katja, Fredrik and Rödluvan are four apple varieties developed here. The past ten years have also seen exciting development work in the field of innovative beverages – operations that as from the beginning of the year have been run and financed by a new main owner from the business sector with SLU Holding and HKR Holding as partners.
With a focus on innovations in the green industries and exciting transdisciplinary collaborations, VentureLab@SLU creates prerequisites for students wishing to start their own companies or develop their own businesses and ideas whilst still studying.
Mats Söderström, associate professor at the Department for Land and Environment at SLU in Skara, is the researcher behind CropSAT®. A digital service for precision cultivation that provides conditions for better harvests and less environmental impact. We interviewed Mats about his innovation journey on a sunny day in Skara.