New strategic collaboration on foods

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and experts from dairy giant Arla Foods will be working together to strengthen Denmark’s position as a food-producing country. The university has just signed a five-year research partnership agreement with the company.

 

The University of Copenhagen works closely with many different Danish and international businesses within several different industries. Over the years, the university has engaged in fruitful collaboration with Arla Foods, and therefore is now establishing an official strategic partnership with the company.

 

“Arla is a global player with strong and very broad in-house research, development and production competencies. Their global insight into the food industry and consumer needs combined with our internationally recognised research is a good starting point for our collaboration,” says the University of Copenhagen’s Rector, Ralf Hemmingsen, on the new agreement between the university and Arla.

 

From packaging to nutrition and health

Specifically, the University of Copenhagen and Arla Foods will make researchers, technology and competencies available for each other in projects which will generate more knowledge about food safety, the composition of milk, consumer behaviour, packaging and sustainable production.

In addition to the products which are part of the daily lives of many Danes, Arla Foods also develops and produces highly specialised milk-based ingredients for consumers and the food industry worldwide.

 

Know-how the path to growth

Arla expects that the new partnership between the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University can help to improve Danish competitiveness within foods.

“A precondition for growth in Denmark is a high level of collaboration between businesses and the Danish knowledge centres. We believe that it benefits Denmark’s competitiveness that companies such as ours allow our employees and, in particular, our sharp innovation staff to exchange experience and knowledge with the competent research environments which can be found at the universities in Copenhagen and Aarhus,” says CEO of Arla Foods, Peder Tuborgh.

“We would like to help safeguard the position of Danish trade and industry in a globalised and competitive world. In addition to the products which are part of the daily lives of many Danes, Arla Foods also develops and produces highly specialised milk-based ingredients for consumers and the food industry worldwide. This gives us insights and competencies which can be used by the universities for everyone’s benefit,” says Peder Tuborgh.

Arla Foods is also entering into a partnership agreement with Aarhus University. The new agreements strengthen existing relations within the fields of research, development and education in the Danish food sector. So far, the University of Copenhagen’s partnership agreement with Arla Foods will run for five years.