Advanced Food Innovation Centre (AFIC)

Advanced Food Innovation Centre (AFIC) at Sheffield Hallam University is a leading interdisciplinary research and innovation hub dedicated to delivering problem-led, collaborative solutions for sustainable, healthier and resilient food systems. Based at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, AFIC combines world-class research expertise, cutting-edge facilities and open “living lab” environments to support transformative food system innovation from farm to fork and across the value chain. Its mission is to enable healthier lives, strengthen future economies, and accelerate competitive advantage through research, innovation and knowledge exchange with industry, government and academic partners. AFIC’s research is structured around four strategic themes—Healthier Lives, Digital Connectivity and Technology, Food System Sustainability, and Feeding a Growing Population—addressing key challenges such as nutritious food development, digitalisation of food processes, food waste reduction, low-carbon technologies, and increased food production efficiency. The Centre works collaboratively with SMEs, multinational companies and technology providers to co-create solutions that improve processes, boost productivity, and meet societal needs for sustainable food and nutrition. Its capabilities include pilot-scale production facilities, specialist laboratories, and expertise in automation, process control, energy and waste engineering, packaging innovation and value chain enhancement. AFIC’s partnerships and projects demonstrate real-world impact in optimising rice milling, valorising waste heat, advancing sustainable processing technologies, and enabling smarter, digitally-enabled manufacturing in the food sector.