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Dairy company Valio has announced the launch of 'Food 2.0,' an extensive research, development and innovation project within Finland. Through 'Food 2.0,' Valio aims to create a Finnish nature-smart food system where growth, profitability and added value are built on a basis of sustainable production. The five-year programme is set to start this year. It has been granted €10 million by Business Finland – the Finnish government’s organisation for innovation funding and trade, travel and investment promotion. The €10 million was awarded through Business Finland’s challenge competition for leading companies. Valio is the first food company that Business Finland has chosen as a leading company. Additionally, Business Finland will fund 'Food 2.0'’s ecosystem projects roadmap with a further €20 million. Through the project, Valio will initiate cooperation and R&D projects with its current and new partners. Valio expects to invest €100 million into R&D activities over the next five years, increasing exports connected to the food system by more than €1 billion in the years after the project ends. Tuomas Salusjärvi, EVP, growth businesses and R&D at Valio, said: “It is important that we reform the food system with all the actors involved, as that is the only way that we will succeed in the change. The global transformation of food production is also an opportunity for Finnish production, as global demand for food and the importance of northern production areas are growing.” He continued: “By being a forerunner in sustainable food production, we can create added value for food produced in Finland while improving its profitability and international competitiveness”. Business Finland’s director-general Nina Kopola, added: “Business Finland wants to be strongly involved in the work aimed at reforming the food system. All our services contribute to strengthening the goals set by this project”. Salusjärvi condluded: “A new, more sustainable food system will build growth for food exports and also create new export opportunities, for example, in circular economy and digitalisation solutions. Rethinking the food system is also essential for the environment and food security." Hundreds of companies and other operators are connected to the food system in Finland, and the goal is to have at least one hundred partners in the network. The launch of 'Food 2.0' comes weeks after Valio announced it was starting change negotiations impacting its Finnish headquarters’ functions, technical services, maintenance and factory services, potentially affecting 1,170 employees.