Elea in partnership with DIL and a unique consortium of universities, research institutions, small to medium enterprises, industries and associations are transforming large-scale technologies for the mild processing of fruits and vegetables to small, flexible and mobile units for your regions.
Funded by the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the project started in June 2019. FOX is bringing mild innovative processing technologies (all-in-one unit) to the farmers to produce healthy, sustainable foods in the heart of the farm for the local consumers.
The unique FOX approach will research and develop innovative and small scale technologies in mobile or flexible processing units for different applications for small and medium enterprises and farmers in the fruit and vegetable sector in Europe.
FOX stimulates the transition from a centralised large-scale food processing industry to a more decentralised food processing approach that offers new business opportunities for regional short(er) value chains. Bringing consumers and local producers closer together will help bridge the gap and increase trust in the food value chain, food processing and locally grown food.
The project focusses on mild and minimal processing technologies such as low-temperature drying, mild extraction and mild preservation enhanced by pulsed electric field, high pressure and ultrasound technology. By this, a variety of fruit and vegetable products can be produced with superior physical and nutritional quality, contributing to a healthier food diet. Moreover, by developing innovative conditioning, sustainable packaging and rapid testing, FOX considers the entire food value chain.
TRANSFORMING LARGE-SCALE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE PROCESSING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO SMALL, FLEXIBLE AND MOBILE UNITS
Development of flexible and mobile modules for enhanced drying of soft fruits, vegetables and mushrooms by using innovative pre-treatment technologies. Click here [Link] to see the Elea PEF advantages for drying and dried food products.
LOW OXYGEN JUICE EXTRACTION AND MILD PRESERVATION
Development of a small-scale modular and fully mobile unit for juice extraction, puree preparation and gentle preservation by using mild processing technologies. Click here to see the Elea PEF benefits for juices.
LOW TEMPERATURE DRYING FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Development of flexible and mobile modules for enhanced drying of soft fruits, vegetables and mushrooms by using innovative pre-treatment technologies. Click here to see the Elea PEF advantages for drying and dried food products.
UPCYCLING OF PLANT-BASED FOOD SIDE STREAMS
Development of modular processing concepts for upcycling of fruit and vegetable side streams into high-quality consumer products using innovative mild technologies.
INNOVATIVE QUALITY ANALYSIS AND PACKAGING OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Design of a mobile system for quality analysis, sustainable and mild conditioning process, and innovative packaging system that allows adapting to specific qualities (e.g. ripeness) and intended applications.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 817683.
The FOX homepage is collecting all relevant information, outcomes, findings, media, events and news.
Click here for the FOX homepage.