SMART FOOD FACTORY: Enhancing digital and green growth in food industry - From Vision to Impact
Join us on 30 September 2025 at imec, Leuven, Belgium, for an inspiring event hosted by the European HIGHFIVE project. Discover how SMEs are driving the twin transition—digital and green—in the food industry. Experience live demos, hear success stories, and connect with industry leaders.
For the past three years, the SME partners of the European HIGHFIVE project have worked together with a unified vision to drive the twin transition—digital and green—and shape the future of the food industry. With support from HIGHFIVE, they’ve embarked on a transformative journey, achieving real-world impact.
At this event, several companies will share their inspiring stories, showcase successes, and reflect on valuable lessons learned along the way.
What to expect?
- Inspiring Keynote Speech
- Live Demonstrations: Discover how digital solutions are enabling sustainable practices in real food companies
- Behind-the-Scenes at imec: Get an exclusive look at the world’s leading nanoelectronics R&D hub
- Networking and Matchmaking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders and like-minded peers
Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and informed.
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Did this first inspirational day trigger you to further transform the food industry? Join us on 1 October 2025 for part 2, “Collaborating for a sustainable food system ”. This day will shift focus offering a platform for dialogue between industry, sector organisations, clusters and policymakers.
Program
09:00
Welcome coffee
09:30
Introduction and setting the scene
09:35
Morning coffee break with networking
10:05
Companies successes
10:15
Lunch break
optional visit to imec
10:30
Companies successes
11:00
Afternoon coffee break
optional visit to imec
11:20
What’s next?
11:50
Reception
optional visit to imec
12:00
Introduction to the afternoon program
12:10
Lunch and optional imec tour
13:40
Company demonstrations (guided tour)
- From Data to Insights, also for dummies (by Food For Analytics)
- The mobile cobot, a reliable partner on the workfloor (by Van Wees Waalwijk)
- Cost efficient energy routing (by Ikologik)
- Monitoring the digitalised production process with integrated data insights (by RBK Group)
- A Digital Twin for optimal wine fermentation (by Smartis)
- How IoT can assess Mayonnaise quality (by AOTech)
- Smart data platform maximising the value of waste, at scale! (by Anteja)
- Implementing AI based production planning for cream cheese manufacturing (by Triple Alpha)
15:00
Coffee break and optional imec tour
15:55
Can't see the forest for the trees? Introducing a benchmarking tool for navigating Industry 4.0
Keynote by Alexander Naessens, Researcher – University of Antwerp & delaware
Discover a new self-assessment tool designed to help businesses unlock the full potential of Industry 4.0. Alexander Naessens presents research-backed insights and practical benchmarks to guide your digital transformation journey and compare your progress with industry peers.
16:10
Panel discussion: The road ahead: Opportunities and challenges in the next innovation wave
Panelists: Alexander Naessens (Researcher, University of Antwerp & delaware), Bram de Vrught (Managing Director & Co-owner, QING), Mila Valcárcel Pato (Co-founder & Managing Partner, Eatable Adventures), Kris Van de Voorde (Business Program Manager, imec), Veerle De Graef (Internationalisation Manager, Flanders’ FOOD)
This panel will highlight emerging opportunities, key challenges, and practical pathways for Europe’s next wave of digital and sustainable transformation.
16:55
Wrap up and sneak peek on the program of the 1st of October
17:00