FDBusiness.com

Carbery Group and its taste division, Synergy Flavours, have entered a partnership with EIT Food, the world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community. Co-funded by the EU, EIT Food works to build a future-fit food system that is sustainable, healthy, and trusted.

Headquartered in Ballineen, County Cork, Carbery Group is an international dairy, flavours and nutritional ingredients company. It is owned by four Irish co-operatives, Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird, and employs over 1000 people, with 1,168 local farmer shareholders. Carbery operates from 11 locations including Ireland, the UK, the USA, Brazil, Italy, Indonesia and Thailand and supplies more than 50 countries worldwide.

As part of the partnership, Carbery and Synergy will contribute to key EIT Food initiatives in areas including dairy innovation, protein diversification, biotech, and healthy ageing. The collaboration supports Carbery’s involvement in the Biotech Alliance – a cross-sector initiative exploring cutting-edge solutions in food and health.

Carbery and Synergy will work alongside policymakers, growers, suppliers, and food manufacturers to develop practical, scalable solutions that make sustainable, protein-based nutrition more accessible, appealing, and affordable for consumers. The partnership aims to bridge gaps across the food supply chain by ensuring viable production models for farmers and manufacturers to deliver high-quality products with consumer appeal.

Sarah O’Neill, Global Strategy Director, Carbery Group, comments: “At Carbery, innovation and sustainability have long been at the heart of our strategy – from our work in dairy and protein science to our growing involvement in biotechnology. By collaborating with partners across the EIT Food network, and leveraging Synergy’s flavour expertise, we can help ensure that future food innovations meet both nutritional needs and consumer expectations.”

Paola Bassi, Marketing Director Europe, Synergy Flavours, adds: “Synergy is proud to support Carbery as its dedicated flavour division in bringing sustainable nutrition to life through better taste and functionality. Our partnership with EIT Food reflects our commitment to open innovation and collaborative thinking, as we work towards more inclusive and resilient global food systems.”

The food system faces major challenges – from climate change and resource scarcity to food waste and diet-related diseases. EIT Food is addressing these by connecting key players across the agri-food sector to drive progress in circular food systems, digital traceability, sustainable agriculture, and targeted nutrition. Carbery and Synergy look forward to contributing to a more secure, sustainable global food future.