Spain has launched the Agrifoodtech Sandbox, an initiative designed to accelerate innovation in the agrifood sector.
Managed by EATEX Food Innovation Hub by CNTA (National Centre for Food Technology and Safety), the sandbox offers companies a controlled environment to test breakthrough technologies, products, and services.
The initiative is the result of a strategic alliance between Spain’s Ministry of Science and Universities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the regional governments of Navarra and La Rioja, in collaboration with CNTA.
Silvia García, director of EATEX Food Innovation Hub by CNTA, said: “The sandbox establishes a direct bridge between innovators and regulators. By fast-tracking the adoption of key technologies, we are boosting the competitiveness of the agrifood industry and helping shape a more agile regulatory landscape for the challenges of tomorrow.”
The programme will foster dialogue between industry and regulatory authorities, and hopes to accelerate the entry of innovations into the market within a regulatory framework. It is also hoped it will generate key regulatory insights, the conclusions of which will be shared with the relevant authorities, contributing to the evolution of agri-food regulations in Spain and across Europe.
Globally, countries such as Singapore, the UK, and South Korea have already developed agri-food sandboxes or experimental spaces designed to align innovation with regulation. These initiatives are attracting investment and talent, reinforcing their positions as hubs for foodtech innovation.
The sandbox’s first call for projects is now open and runs until May 23, 2025. Startups, corporations, and industry associations from around the world are invited to submit innovative solutions aligned with the future of sustainable and healthy food.
Selected projects will gain free access to CNTA’s scientific and technological capabilities, as well as those of its external partners. In addition, they will receive regulatory guidance to carry out the necessary testing for the study and validation of their product or process.
The priority innovation areas for projects in this first call include: the identification or development of novel ingredients; the creation of new food and beverage products that promote healthy eating; the development of advanced food preservation and packaging strategies; and the optimization of resource use through circularity and the valorization of waste and by-products.
