From farm to future: A strategic location for innovative food and bio solutions
- powered by green energy and surplus heat
A SYNERGETIC FOOD & BIO HUB:
For growers, producers, and innovators
An ideal investment environment for PtX - and scaled production on surplus heat
Aabenraa’s Food Innovation Hub is redefining the future of food production. Located at the crossroads of Europe, this initiative aims to combine Denmark’s strong agricultural tradition and ability to collaborate, with cutting-edge food technology, reducing the farmed land area, leveraging green energy and circular resources, and building synergies into the hub's value chain to create a sustainable food system.
Synergies across sectors and life cycles
At the heart of this initiative is synergy thinking. With large-scale PtX production generating surplus heat and technical water from waste water being made available, Aabenraa ideally suited for vertical farming, alternative protein producers, and innovative food processing companies that want to produce sustainably - and at scale. These businesses benefit from reduced operational costs, access to green infrastructure, and a market-oriented ecosystem.
A strategic location for exports across Europe
With the German market - one of Europe’s most dynamic for plant-based and alternative proteins - on the hub's doorstep, and a multi-modal transport system designed for international exports, the Aabenraa location is ideal. To enhance innovation and drive synergies between members, the food hub will be backed by both municipality, research institutions involved and the Danish Food & Bio cluster.
Are you a start-up ready to scale? A scale-up ready to grow? Gain access to substantial funding:
Fuel your food & bio innovation with funding opportunities
Denmark offers extensive funding opportunities for start-ups and scale-ups in the food and biotech sectors, ensuring access to the capital needed for breakthrough innovations. Whether you're developing plant-based proteins, advancing fermentation technologies, or innovating in circular food production, multiple funding programs can help accelerate your growth. With strong public and private investment, Denmark is a leading hub for sustainable food innovation.
Grants and investments from leading foundations
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is a key player in funding food and bio innovation, supporting research and commercialization. Through initiatives like Plant2Food, with €27 million in funding, the foundation fosters open collaboration on plant-based food development. Other grant programs focus on sustainable agriculture, alternative proteins, and health-related food solutions, providing both early-stage and scale-up funding.
Government-backed financing for growth
Denmark’s Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD) offers grants and co-financing for companies working on groundbreaking food and biotech solutions, helping start-ups move from concept to market. Meanwhile, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) provides growth capital, loan guarantees, and export financing to support scale-ups looking to expand internationally. These programs ensure that companies have the financial backing needed to scale sustainably.
Synergies of the Food Innovation Hub Aabenraa
Vertical mushroom farming
Utilising surplus heat and controlled environments, vertical mushroom farming in Aabenraa enables efficient, year-round production with minimal land use.
Plant-based protein production
With access to green energy and sustainable water resources, Aabenraa supports the growth of innovative plant-based protein industries.
Surplus heat from PtX and data centres
Excess heat from PtX plants and data centres is repurposed to power food and materials production, reducing waste and improving energy efficiency.
Technical water from waste water
Treated waste water is transformed into high-quality technical water, ensuring a sustainable water supply for agriculture and food production.