Pioneering Partnership to Shape the Future of Food and Packaging

Press release, Freising /

A high-level, 50-member business delegation from Flanders, led by Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV to explore cutting-edge innovations in food development, packaging, and recycling technologies. Bringing together leaders from the food, packaging, machinery, chemical, wood, and textile sectors, the visit capped a multi-day tour of Bavaria and highlighted the growing momentum behind cross-border cooperation to build a sustainable and resilient industrial future for Europe.

An Vermeulen, Prof. Andrea Büttner, Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, Inge Arents and Nadia Lapage after the official signing of the Memorandum of Understandings
© Fraunhofer / Markus Jürgens
An Vermeulen (Director Pack4Food), Prof. Andrea Büttner (Fraunhofer), Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, Inge Arents (Managing Director Flanders’ FOOD) and Nadia Lapage, Director-General of Fevia Flanders after the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (from left to right).
Prof. Andrea Büttner and the Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele
© Fraunhofer / Markus Jürgens
On behalf of Fraunhofer, Prof. Andrea Büttner welcomed the Flemish Minister-President.
The Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele gains insight into state-of-the-art technologies at the pilot plant
© Fraunhofer / Markus Jürgens
During their visit to the Fraunhofer IVV pilot plant, the delegation gained insights into state-of-the-art technologies for producing sustainable, crisis-resilient foods.

A Joint Mission: Securing Europe’s Technological and Supply Sovereignty

"Fraunhofer IVV serves as an important source of inspiration for companies in Flanders," stated Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, "its expertise provides valuable links to our industry." Discussions centered on the shared ambition to develop next-generation food and packaging systems – an agenda that is rapidly gaining strategic relevance for Europe as it seeks to safeguard technological independence and long-term supply security.

Prof. Andrea Büttner, Executive Director of Fraunhofer IVV, emphasized: "The foods of the future must be regional, sustainable, shelf-stable, lightweight, and crisis-resilient. At the same time, we must harness residual streams far more effectively. When product development, packaging innovation, and recycling strategies are aligned from the outset, we unlock a unique opportunity to preserve valuable resources and secure Europe’s long-term sovereignty. This is exactly what we are pursuing with our Flemish partners."

To formalize this ambition, Fraunhofer IVV and leading Flemish organizations – Fevia Flanders, Flanders’ FOOD, and Pack4Food – signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), deepening their strategic innovation alliance in food technology and sustainable packaging.

Transforming the Future of Nutrition, Packaging, and Circularity

Delegation members received exclusive insights into how Fraunhofer IVV supports industry in accelerating product innovation – from plant-based alternatives to dairy and meat, to low-fat formulations and functionally enriched foods.

A hallmark of Fraunhofer IVV’s approach is the seamless integration of packaging into the overall product design. In close cooperation with industry partners, the institute develops packaging solutions that combine resource efficiency, product protection, and recyclability –leveraging novel materials, including emerging bio- and fiber-based technologies. In recycling, Fraunhofer IVV presented its breakthrough solvent-based process that enables the recovery of pure plastic polymers from multi-layer packaging, a major milestone toward closing material loops at scale.

Nadia Lapage, Director General of Fevia Flanders, commented: "By signing this MoU, we are taking decisive action on shared challenges. Only through close collaboration between research institutions and innovation networks such as Fraunhofer IVV, Pack4Food, and Flanders’ FOOD can we deliver solutions that enhance the resilience of our food industry and accelerate the transition to truly future-proof food and packaging systems."

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