Al Ain, UAE: The UAE’s food and beverage landscape is poised for a significant transformation. Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG), a leading national provider of protein and beverages, has announced a pivotal joint development agreement with Finnish food-tech innovator FoodIQ. This collaboration marks a crucial step in bringing cutting-edge food manufacturing technology to the MENA region, with the UAE at the forefront.
This partnership is a key public milestone for AAFG, signalling a bold new chapter in local food innovation. Under the agreement, AAFG will be the first company globally, outside of Finland, to implement FoodIQ’s patented Multi-Layer Cooker (MLC) technology on an industrial scale. This adoption enables the UAE to locally produce a new generation of clean-label, natural, and high-protein foods.
“At Al Ain Farms Group, our mission is to deliver quality, innovation, and sustainability for the future of food,” stated Hassan Safi, Group CEO of AAFG. “This collaboration not only places the UAE on the global map for food-tech adoption, but it also empowers us to rapidly meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices while utilising local ingredients. This is a milestone moment for our Group.”
The MLC system is a smart, modular food manufacturing platform designed for flexible-batch production. Its unique capability allows seamless switching between various high-viscosity recipes – from yoghurts and plant-based milks to cheeses and protein smoothies. Crucially, the MLC preserves the nutritional value of real ingredients, eliminating the need for additives or preservatives. Furthermore, it significantly reduces energy use, water consumption, and minimises production waste, aligning with crucial sustainability objectives.
Founded in 2015, FoodIQ has established itself as a pioneer in flexible food production for health-conscious markets. Its MLC machine is already operational at its global R&D centre in Finland and is trusted by leading Nordic food companies for flexible-scale productions. The collaboration with AAFG now introduces this innovative technology to the UAE. The partnership anticipates the launch of three distinct product ranges within the next six months, with plans for broader scale-up across both dairy and plant-based categories.
“We are proud to bring our MLC platform to the UAE with a partner that truly shares our values,” commented Robert Savikko, CEO of FoodIQ. “Together with AAFG, we are not just introducing new technology; we are setting a new benchmark for clean-label, sustainable food manufacturing, built on quality, transparency, and innovation.”
The signing ceremony took place at Marmum Dairy’s facilities in Al Ain, one of Al Ain Farms Group’s key sites. The event saw attendance from senior leadership of both AAFG and FoodIQ, alongside representatives from Business Finland, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and Finland. The ceremony included a guided tour of the facilities, a presentation of the MLC technology, and a tasting session of clean-label products enabled by the new platform.
This agreement directly supports the UAE’s strategic national goals, including the Food Security Strategy 2051, the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, and Net Zero 2050. By advancing scalable, efficient, and sustainable local food manufacturing, the partnership reinforces AAFG’s growing role as a regional R&D leader in functional, natural foods, and significantly contributes to the UAE’s emergence as a global hub for sustainable food-tech innovation.
