Food Tech
Welcome to the forefront of food innovation! In the High Coast region, we combine sustainable practices with cutting-edge technology to create a place where future farmers of all sorts root and grow. Together with the local eco-system of innovation and foodtech we’re exploring new circular solutions and industrial symbioses, turning the High Coast into a hub for sustainable and locally-produced food solutions.
Become a part of the FoodTech ecosystem of Västernorrland
Home to a growing foodtech industry built on decades of industrial expertise and a strong foundation in green innovation, Västernorrland hosts established companies, research institutions and startups that work side by side to develop sustainable solutions for the future, creating ideal conditions for new foodtech ventures to thrive.
Where innovation meets collaboration
The region offers a connected foodtech ecosystem where leading institutions, including RISE Processum, Mid Sweden University, Nordvikskolan and SCA NorrPlant, collaborate to accelerate innovation, research and commercialization. Add to this strong institutional support through incubators, funding programs and coordinated innovation initiatives.
Green resources & clean power advantage
With access to renewable raw materials, residual streams and a 100% green energy mix, Västernorrland provides ideal conditions for sustainable production and circular foodtech solutions.
Industrial strength with room to grow
Driven by both global and national industries, the region combines strong industrial know-how, competitive energy prices and available land, creating space for growth and industrial symbiosis.
Skilled people, smart connections
A skilled, forward-thinking workforce and excellent logistics connect local expertise with international markets, making the High Coast region an ideal launchpad for foodtech scale-ups.
A high coast company
Agtira
Agtira is one of Sweden’s biggest greenhouse farming innovators, with the idea to bring home vegetable production to cut transports, save land and sell better-tasting vegetables. With greenhouses built in parking lots and other urban locations, cucumbers and tomatoes can be harvested and sold in hours, transported just a few meters instead of 3 000 kilometers or more.
The brainchild of local innovator Pecka Nygårds, Agtira originated in Härnösand and grew rapidly, establishing the High Coast as a knowledge center for foodtech and urban farming. Agtira was introduced at the Nasdaq stock exchange in 2023 and continues to establish greenhouses all across Sweden.
DID YOU KNOW Agtira is also developing a full-featured aquaponics system, where cucumbers and Atlantic salmon are cultivated in a closed-circuit system.
Land-based fish farming
Great freshwater supply, green energy at competitive prices and good opportunities to join an industrial symbiosis make our region the perfect spot for land-based fish farming.
Greenhouse farming
Low-cost energy, available land and good chances for industrial symbiosis, using the surplus heat from other industries. Our region has a lot to offer future greenhouse farmers.
Vertical farming
As the home to several startups in urban and vertical farming, we have the know-how and support to get you started. Join one of Västernorrland’s most promising clusters!
A high coast company
Big Akwa
Through the start-up Big Akwa, one of the founders of Agtira tackles the problem of the forest industries’ environmental pollution in an innovative way by establishing a fish farm adjacent to a paper or pulp plant. In the solution, sustainable fish farming constitutes a bio filter that cleans the emissions from the industry which in turn supplies nutrients to the fish farm. In this way, a cleaner marine environment is created.
Big Akwa is currently in the process of opening a large-scale fish farming establishment at Alby industrial site.
Business opportunity
Greenhouse farming
Right now, a large number of industrial establishments create unique opportunities for partners willing to set up shop in Västernorrland. In addition to affordable, 100% green energy, good freshwater supply and available land, the possibility to be part of an industrial symbiosis offers new advantages. By utilizing for example excess heat and oxygen from a hydrogen plant, greenhouse farmers can get a higher yield at a lower price – while saving the environment in more than one way.
One of the early establishments is Vita Hydrokultur, a British-owned company that aims to build a greenhouse facility in Alby, Ånge municipality close to the planned hydrogen plant. Vita Hydrokultur focuses on plants used in cosmetics and health industries, and will possibly use residual streams from both the hydrogen plants and the adjacent fish farm.
What’s your spot in the new industrial landscape? Get in touch to know more!
A high coast company
Hernö Gin
Hernö Gin is a world-leading producer of artisanal gin. The distillery has won 106 titles in the world’s leading competitions for spirits and is thus the world’s most award-winning gin.
In Härnösand, Hernö Gin takes its craftsmanship to a new level with the Hernö Gin Hotel. This boutique destination combines design and gastronomy – offering guests an experience rooted in local tradition and global ambition. Since its opening in early 2025, visitors have flocked to enjoy its unique blend of Nordic flavors and timeless design.
Did you know that Hernö Gin was elected the world’s best gin for the third time in 2024, making it the most awarded gin in the world.
GREEN INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS
Do you want to be a part of an industrial symbiosis?
Are you looking to turn waste into value and operate within the future of the circular industry? In Västernorrland, we integrate sustainable practices with state-of-the-art technology to foster a dynamic business environment. Here, companies collaborate to exchange resources and by-products, unlocking new business opportunities.
We have residual streams just waiting to be upcycled, industry sites ready for development and access to renewable energy. Join us in the green transition!
innovation from the region
Fish feed from the forest
At research center RISE Processum, researchers have developed protein from forestry waste material, Now the re-searchers are taking the next step to make fish feed from the single-cell proteins that have so far been produced. The background is that fish farming is expected to become more and more important in the future and the need for fish feed is increasing. With the help of food made from twigs, branches and other waste products from the forest, fish farming will become more environmentally friendly, primarily due to the demand for fish food made from fish and soy flour being reduced.
