The Smartz4Milk Project Marks a Turning Point in the Modernization of the Galician Dairy Sector

• Smartz4Milk concludes after more than two years of collaboration among 11 companies, with visible results in all phases of the dairy chain
• The flagship project has enabled the digitalization of plants, improved efficiency, ensured traceability, and laid the foundations for a new industrial model

The Smartz4Milk project to modernize the Galician dairy sector through digitalization, sustainability, and traceability, has come to an end after months of collaborative work among industrial companies, technology firms, universities, and knowledge centers. The closure was celebrated with a round table at the Galicia Food Forum, where the main achievements of the project were presented and the future of the sector was discussed. Under the title “Reinventing the Dairy Sector: Innovation and Collaboration for a Key Sector”, representatives from companies such as Grupo Lence, Bico de Xeado, Capsa Vida, and Queixería Prestes participated, moderated by Hugo Criado (Medrar Innovation Office).

Promoted by the Galician Food Cluster (Clusaga) through the Next Generation Galicia Food Technical Office, Smartz4Milk has received funding of 9.7 million euros from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the European Union through the Next Generation EU funds, within the framework of the Agro-food PERTE. The project has brought together 11 companies —7 from the dairy sector and 4 technological— with the aim of addressing the major challenges of the sector: improving competitiveness, reducing environmental impact, ensuring complete product traceability, and facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Throughout the project, 18 primary subprojects have been developed, organized into three major axes: digitalization, sustainability, and traceability. These are some of the milestones highlighted by participating companies:

• AMSlab

Highlighted traceability as a strategic tool to ensure more sustainable and transparent processes. Thanks to the project, new analytical methods have been developed for the study of milk proteins in key phases of production, allowing for the detection of variations in processes and improving the overall efficiency of the sector.

• ASM Soft

Developed a digital solution for dairy industry operations management, allowing participating SMEs to move towards connected factory models, creating a scalable and replicable system for other companies in the sector. The solution includes integration with PITSA and AI algorithms for advanced data analysis.

• Bico de Xeado

Worked on the development of a new product reference supported by infrared technology. It also improved the efficiency of its internal processes with big data tools and designed a traceability and food safety system that integrates blockchain, proteomics, and quantum artificial intelligence.

• CAPSA FOOD

Focused on improving the production process. Since the conceptualization of the PITSA platform, the company has detected new information points that were previously not visible, facilitating real-time decision-making optimization.

• CLUN

Achieved one of the sector’s greatest challenges. The cooperative managed to establish a system for the secure exchange of data between devices, systems, and services, a key step towards plant connectivity.

• GRUPO LENCE

Integrated all its traceability data into a single platform. This tool allows easy control of the entire chain, from milk collection, through its transformation, to the distribution of the final product. The new system has improved transparency, simplified processes, and increased responsiveness.

• QUEIXERÍA PRESTES

Succeeded in converting waste generated in the cheese plant into new sustainable and high value-added products. In addition to researching the use of new materials with chitosan and nettle extract as innovative biodegradable packaging that would maintain the characteristic smoking of their cheeses. Finally, an advanced wastewater treatment system based on mixed artificial wetlands was implemented, which has reduced the plant’s water footprint.

• QUEIZUAR

Achieved the complete digitalization of its plant, incorporating sensors for online analysis, traceability systems during cheese curing, and labeling control through artificial vision. It also improved its resource use efficiency, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

• Plexus Tech

Worked on the design of predictive tools that allow anticipating market and industry needs, and adapting processes based on the evolution of the sector. The applied solutions allow for complete product traceability, from origin to consumer, certifying them in Blockchain.

• Sixtema

Developed solutions adapted to the real needs of the sector. The company highlighted the value of the project to connect all links in the chain and bring technology closer to both family companies and more industrialized structures.

In addition to the technological solutions developed, Smartz4Milk has generated a new model of cooperation in the sector, integrating knowledge, data, and processes to face the great challenges of the present and the future. The project has laid the foundations for a more efficient, sustainable, and connected dairy industry. Galicia now has a clear roadmap to continue driving the digital transformation of its agri-food fabric.

About SmartZ4Milk

SmartZ4Milk is a flagship project aimed at improving the competitiveness, sustainability, and traceability of the dairy sector in Galicia through 18 primary projects. With a total budget of 16.8 million euros and a grant of 9.7 million euros, it is funded by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism (MINTUR) and the European Union through the Next Generation EU funds. Promoted by the Galician Food Cluster (Clusaga) and led by Grupo Lence, the project will be executed until June 2025. Participating dairy companies include CAPSA FOOD, Queizúar, Queixería Prestes, CLUN, and Bico de Xeado, as well as technology companies such as Plexus Tech, Sixtema, ASM Soft, and Grupo AMSLab.

You may be interested in: SmartZ4Milk advances towards food safety and sustainability