Our Sector
Food manufacturing technologies comprise the mechanical, processing, and digital equipment that enable food and beverages to be safely handled, processed, packaged, and stored. Representing the middle link of Europe’s food value chain, these technologies form the essential industrial backbone that connects agricultural production with high‑quality consumer products. With more than 82,000 workers, €19 billion in turnover, and a strong culture of R&D‑driven innovation, the sector plays a critical role in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, improving resource efficiency, and supporting a more resilient and sustainable food system.
What Food Manufacturing Technologies Include
Our sector covers the full range of mechanical and digital equipment, machinery, and technologies used to handle, process, refine, package, and store food and beverages. This includes processing systems such as mixing, heating, cooling and fermentation equipment; handling and storage technologies like pumps, valves, tanks and conveying systems; packaging and filling solutions; automation and digital control systems; and hygiene, cleaning, and resource‑efficiency technologies essential for safe, sustainable food production.
Our Role in the Food Value Chain
Food manufacturing technologies form the central link of Europe’s food value chain. Positioned between primary agricultural production and the food and beverage industry, our technologies enable raw materials to be transformed into safe, high‑quality products at scale. This role makes our sector indispensable to the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of Europe’s food system.