European food manufacturing technologies coalition launched by four industry leaders

FMTE Board (Left to right): Simon Phillips – President, Nutrition & Health Solutions, SPX FLOW; Sammy Hulpiau – President Food & Water Division, Alfa Laval; Charles Brand – EVP Processing Solutions & Equipment, Tetra Pak (President, FMTE); Bülent Bayraktar – Head of Business Unit Process Technology, Krones. Credit: FMTE

Four of Europe’s leading food manufacturing technology companies have joined forces to launch a new coalition aimed at transforming the sector’s future through innovation, sustainability and stronger policy influence.

Alfa Laval, Krones, SPX FLOW and Tetra Pak announced today the creation of Food Manufacturing Technologies Europe (FMTE), a unified platform designed to address critical industry challenges and amplify the sector’s voice across Europe.

FMTE emerges to fill a significant gap in representation within Europe’s food manufacturing technologies and equipment sector – a fragmented but rapidly growing industry that is vital to the continent’s food systems. The coalition will bring together companies of all sizes, from agile SMEs to global market leaders, to foster collaboration and accelerate progress.

FMTE Board statement

In a joint statement, the FMTE Board, said:

We united to create a platform that gives us a stronger collective voice in shaping Europe’s future food manufacturing technologies landscape. In these crucial times for the industry, where delivering tangible impact is more important than ever, we aim to drive innovation in food manufacturing technologies, promote sustainability, and ensure a more influential role in Europe’s competitive food industry.”

Europe’s food manufacturing technology sector is a significant contributor to the global market, which is projected to reach €118.4 billion by 2030.¹ Despite its fragmentation, the sector is propelled by innovation, with the five largest manufacturers in the European Union/European Free Trade Association holding 15 percent of the global market in 2023. However, the industry faces multiple challenges, including navigating complex supply chains, adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks and meeting increasing demands to reduce environmental impact.

FMTE’s formation comes as these challenges intensify, with companies seeking ways to improve efficiency, sustainability and resilience while maintaining competitiveness. By uniting, the four companies hope to create a stronger, more coordinated industry voice that can influence policy and drive systemic change.

Core objectives

The coalition has outlined three core objectives:

1. Boosting competitiveness and resilience by enhancing industry collaboration and aligning with European Union priorities to safeguard the sector’s future.
2. Driving sustainability and innovation through scaling technologies and digital solutions that reduce waste, improve energy and water efficiency, and support the EU’s climate goals.
3. Amplifying the sector’s voice in policymaking by delivering evidence, insights, and best practices to help shape an enabling regulatory environment for innovation and growth.

It will facilitate open collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to foster innovation and tackle shared challenges. Acting as a hub of expertise, the coalition will provide data and policy intelligence to support better decision-making and raise the profile of Europe’s food manufacturing technology sector.

The board is inviting companies of all sizes, as well as policymakers and academics, to join the FMTE and help shape the future of food manufacturing technology in Europe.

1. Market research report by LP Information, “Global Food and Beverage Processing Equipment Market Growth (Status and
   Outlook 2024-2030)”