Spain launches Agrifoodtech Sandbox to fast-track innovation in food and agriculture

Spain has launched a national Agrifoodtech Sandbox, establishing a new framework to accelerate food and agriculture innovation by helping companies pilot breakthrough technologies in close collaboration with regulators. The initiative, led by the EATEX Food Innovation Hub by CNTA (National Centre for Food Technology and Safety), aims to fast-track the development of sustainable, safe, and health-promoting food innovations while informing future regulatory frameworks across Europe.

Announced in San Adrián, Navarra on 14 April 2025, the sandbox is the result of a strategic partnership between Spain’s Ministry of Science and Universities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the regional governments of Navarra and La Rioja. CNTA will manage the initiative, offering a controlled environment for startups, corporates, and consortia to test products, processes, and technologies that operate at the edge of current regulatory boundaries.

“The sandbox establishes a direct bridge between innovators and regulators,” commented Silvia García, Director of the EATEX Food Innovation Hub by CNTA. “By fast-tracking the adoption of key technologies, we are boosting the competitiveness of the agrifood industry and helping shape a more agile regulatory landscape for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The Agrifoodtech Sandbox aligns with regulatory experimentation models already tested in other sectors – such as fintech and data governance – and adapted in recent years by countries including Singapore, the UK, and South Korea to support food innovation. Spain becomes one of the first EU countries to launch such a program specifically for the agrifood sector.

According to CNTA, the sandbox will foster dialogue between technology developers and public authorities, with the aim of reducing time-to-market for novel food solutions. Selected participants will gain access to CNTA’s scientific infrastructure and external partners while receiving regulatory guidance tailored to their innovations. Insights from each project will be shared with Spain’s regulatory bodies, contributing to more informed policymaking at both national and European levels.

The sandbox’s first global call for projects is now open and will remain active until 23 May 2025. Startups, industry leaders, and innovation-focused organizations are invited to submit proposals that address sustainability, circularity, and health in food systems. Proposals should focus on one or more of the following themes: development of novel ingredients; creation of food and beverage products that promote healthier eating; advancements in preservation and packaging technologies; and resource efficiency through waste valorization and circular processes.

Selected projects will be supported with access to laboratory and pilot-scale facilities, technical consulting, and regulatory validation services. Participation is open to both Spanish and international stakeholders, reinforcing the sandbox’s ambition to serve as a global platform for testing and refining food innovation under real-world conditions.

The Spanish government sees the Agrifoodtech Sandbox as a strategic tool to support its broader innovation and sustainability objectives, particularly in the context of EU Green Deal targets and growing consumer demand for climate-resilient, nutritious food options. The model also positions Spain as an emerging hub for foodtech collaboration in Europe, building on a foundation of strong regional ecosystems in Navarra and La Rioja.

“With this initiative, we are not only facilitating innovation in the agrifood sector,” García added, “but also contributing to the co-creation of future regulations and providing a solid testing ground that helps ensure safety, scalability, and consumer trust.”

CNTA’s leadership in managing the program reflects its long-standing role in bridging science and industry in Spain’s food innovation landscape. The organization has previously supported multiple EU-funded projects and operates as a technical advisor to both companies and public institutions.

By opening up its sandbox model to global participants, Spain is offering a replicable framework for other countries and regions interested in aligning policy, technology, and entrepreneurship in food system transformation.

For more information or to apply, interested parties can visit the official CNTA/EATEX website.