UAE Firm to Spearhead Finland’s Clean‑Label Tech in MENA

Al Ain Farms Group, the UAE’s foremost provider of protein and beverages, has entered into a joint development agreement with Finland‑based FoodIQ to bring its Multi‑Layer Cooker system to the Middle East and North Africa. AAFG will be the first company worldwide to industrially implement the patented MLC technology outside Finland.

AAFG chief executive Hassan Safi said the partnership “puts the UAE on the global map for food‑tech adoption” while enabling the company to “rapidly meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices using local ingredients.” The MLC platform, capable of handling high‑viscosity products such as yoghurt, cheese, protein smoothies and plant‑based milks, ensures nutritional integrity and allows rapid batch switching—all without additives or preservatives.

FoodIQ, founded in 2015, has secured €10 million in funding to accelerate its global expansion, enabling deployment of the MLC platform into new markets. CEO Robert Savikko commented that the investment was “a strong vote of confidence in our vision and business model,” reinforcing the company’s mission to enable “smart, clean‑label, sustainable food manufacturing.” He added that the collaboration with AAFG would set a new benchmark in transparency and quality.

The MLC’s integrated design—combining mixing, pasteurisation and emulsification in a compact, modular unit—offers flexibility over traditional production lines, and reduces energy and water usage as well as waste. Part of the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051 and Net Zero 2050 goals, the partnership also supports the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.

Senior officials from AAFG, FoodIQ and Business Finland attended the signing ceremony at AAFG’s Marmum Dairy site in Al Ain. The event included a guided tour of the facility, a demonstration of the MLC system and a tasting of new clean‑label products.

Under the agreement, AAFG plans to introduce three new product lines within six months, followed by further expansion into dairy and plant‑based categories. Petabytes of additional R\&D support will be provided by FoodIQ, leveraging its Finland‑based experimental and industrial‑scale facility.

FoodIQ’s MLC technology aligns with growing global demand for additive‑free, naturally processed foods and complements regulatory shifts towards transparency in production—for instance, the EU’s Farm to Fork policy pushing back against ultra‑processed goods. By enabling localised production hubs, it also offers supply‑chain resilience and reduced emissions.

AAFG, backed by Yas Holding LLC and Ghitha Holding PJSC, oversees a fully integrated farm‑to‑shelf model, ensuring freshness within 24 hours. The group includes legacy brands such as Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy and Golden Eggs. Its engagement reflects a broader national drive towards self‑sufficiency and technological leadership in agribusiness.

For FoodIQ, this marks the first industrial roll‑out of MLC technology outside Finland. Their R\&D‑intensive model, honed over a decade with Nordic partners, is now being scaled across the MENA region. Operating out of its Finnish R\&D centre, FoodIQ has previously collaborated with Nordic food companies, and the UAE partnership now positions it as a global food‑tech player.

Industry analysts note that the convergence of climate‑smart food production, clean‑label consumer trends and flexible manufacturing presents a fertile environment for the MLC platform. As one expert observed, “By integrating multiple process steps into a single compact unit, FoodIQ dramatically cuts energy use and time‑to‑market,” a finding echoed in FoodIQ’s technical documentation.

AAFG’s adoption of the MLC is expected to enhance its R\&D capacity and help it capture new market share across high‑protein, functional and plant‑based food segments. The move also underscores the Emirates’ ambition to position itself as a regional innovation hub and strengthen bilateral ties with Finland, particularly in advanced manufacturing and food security.