At Global Fruselva, we are committed to innovation as a driver of change in the functional food sector. Therefore, we are proud to share that we have been recognized with the Gabriel Ferraté i Pascual Business Innovation Award, promoted by the Department of Economic Promotion, Innovation and Knowledge of the City of Reus. This award, in the category of Innovation of an existing product or service, highlights our commitment to research and development of healthy and sustainable products.
The award ceremony took place on March 3 at firaReus, where our FUNCTIOLAB project, a pioneering service in the sector that promotes the co-creation of new functional products, was highlighted.
FUNCTIOLAB: collaborative innovation for functional foods
FUNCTIOLAB is much more than an innovation service: it is a space where we connect scientific and technological knowledge with real market needs. Through joint working sessions with our customers, we help to identify new trends and transform them into innovative functional products.
Our multidisciplinary team, made up of experts in nutrition, food technology and health sciences, works in collaboration with universities, research centers and start-ups to offer high added value solutions.
Since its launch at the end of 2023, FUNCTIOLAB has collaborated with four companies in the sector, including major national and international brands and supermarkets. One of the most outstanding projects has been the creation of the “My first smoothie” range, focused on improving digestive health, immunity and children’s cognitive development.
This success has resulted in a turnover of €200,000 during 2024, with a 5% growth forecast for this year.
Úrsula Catalán, phD, Director of the Innovation Area for Vegetable Beverages at Global Fruselva explained when receiving the award: “It is an honor to receive the Gabriel Ferraté i Pascual Business Innovation Award, which highlights the work of the entire R&D&I team. FUNCTIOLAB represents our commitment to collaborative innovation, connecting scientific knowledge with market needs. We work side by side with our customers to develop functional products that are not only innovative, but also healthy and sustainable, with a positive impact for both companies and consumers.”
This award drives us to continue to innovate and explore new horizons in functional food. At Fruselva, we believe that the future of nutrition lies in research, collaboration and commitment to the health of people and the planet.