40+ regions
European coverage
The network connects the innovation ecosystems of more than forty European regions.
Digital innovation • Sustainable food industry • European
SS4AF – Smart Solutions 4 Agri-food
Smart solutions for the future of the food industry
About the initiative
The SS4AF connects European regions, agri-food businesses, technology providers and innovation organisations. The aim of the partnership is to make the food processing sector more sustainable, resilient and competitive through the practical application of digital technologies.
Type
Digital innovation • Sustainable food industry • European
Subject area
Green future and sustainability
The role of KDRIÜ
CONTACT PERSON
Ákos Szépvölgyi
managing director
Viktor Hegedűs
lead project coordinator
SS4AF in brief
SS4AF is a long-term thematic smart specialisation partnership. Starting from agri-food challenges, the network connects businesses with the right technological expertise, testing facilities and international partners.
9 countries
International cooperation
The partnership builds on the expertise, infrastructure and professional networks of actors from nine European countries.
Industry 5.0
Human-centred technology
The initiative connects digitalisation with sustainability, resilience and human-centric innovation.
Living labs
Live environment testing
The associated Living Lab network provides an opportunity to demonstrate, test and validate technologies.
Who does it offer networking opportunities to?
SS4AF creates a collaborative environment for businesses and organisations that want to develop food production and its related value chains using digital solutions.
Food processing businesses
For small and medium-sized enterprises that want to develop through automation, data-driven operations, modern quality control, or more resource-efficient production.
Technology and digital service providers
For those innovative businesses that want to apply their digital products, services or technological solutions in the food processing industry.
Machinery and equipment manufacturers
For the actors developing intelligent machines, sensors, automation systems and advanced production equipment for food businesses.
Innovation and research organisations
For clusters, research institutions, universities, regional development organisations and living labs that support the development of the sector with knowledge, infrastructure or project development.
How does a challenge turn into an innovation?
Identification of challenges
The process begins with identifying specific production, quality, sustainability or digitalisation problems in food processing businesses.
Linking competencies
The network searches for those technology service providers, research institutions and experts whose knowledge matches the identified corporate needs.
Testing and demonstration
Innovative solutions can be tried and tested in living labs, demonstration environments or corporate pilot projects.
International implementation
Successful solutions can lead to inter-regional cooperation, investment projects, new value chains and more widely applicable good practices.
European ecosystem for the digital food industry
SS4AF brings together agri-food clusters, technology providers, research organisations, living labs and regional innovation organisations.
The partnership is based on the premise that food processing businesses often lack all the necessary technological expertise or testing infrastructure on-site. However, with the help of the European network, the expertise and services of other regions can also become accessible to them.
Twin digital and green transition
Within the SS4AF approach, digitalisation is not an end in itself, but one of the most important tools for a more sustainable and resilient food industry.
Solutions supported by the partnership may relate to the following areas, among others:
- intelligent sensors and real-time data collection;
- automation and robotics;
- AI-based quality control;
- digital twins and production simulations;
- traceability and food safety;
- optimisation of energy, water and raw material usage;
- reduction of production losses and food waste.
Living labs and project development
A defining element of SS4AF is the network of interconnected living labs. These are real or realistic test environments where new technologies can be demonstrated, tested and further developed.
The partnership also supports the creation of European cooperation and investment projects. Initiatives such as S3FOOD, CONNSENSYS, Food-scalEUp, HIGHFIVE and SIXFOLD are built, among other things, on the professional foundations of SS4AF.
The role of KDRIÜ
As an Hungarian partner of SS4AF, the Central Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency helps domestic enterprises, and particularly those in Central Transdanubia, to integrate into the European agri-food innovation network.
Among the tasks of KDRIÜ are identifying corporate development needs, connecting technological and professional partners, as well as the preparation and implementation of international innovation projects.
In the HIGHFIVE project, the agency also supported joint developments by Hungarian food industry and technology businesses, including the practical application of artificial intelligence-based visual quality control solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SS4AF a time-limited project?
No. The SS4AF is a long-term European professional partnership, upon whose strategy and relationship network several different European projects and corporate innovation initiatives are built.
What types of businesses can connect to SS4AF?
It primarily offers opportunities for cooperation to small and medium-sized food-processing enterprises, machine manufacturers, technology service providers and businesses developing digital solutions.
What technologies are at the centre?
The network deals with sensor technologies, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins, data-driven production, and tracking solutions, amongst other things.
What is a living lab?
A living laboratory is a testing and demonstration environment where businesses can try out new technologies under real or realistic conditions before introducing them more widely.
How can the KDRIÜ help?
KDRIÜ assists with the identification of corporate development needs, finding suitable domestic or international professional partners, and establishing innovation and project collaborations.
Get involved in the digital future of the food industry!
If you are planning digital developments as a food industry enterprise, or looking for new application opportunities as a technology provider, get in touch with us!