DIL German Institute for Food Technology

What DIL German Institute for Food Technology does

DIL Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V. is a non-university, non-profit applied research institute founded in 1983 and headquartered in Quakenbrück, Lower Saxony, with additional offices in Brussels, Berlin, and Karlsruhe. Approximately 120 multidisciplinary experts work across seven departments — Food Data Group (LCA and sustainability analytics), Verfahrenstechnik (process engineering, extrusion, encapsulation, 3D food printing), Advanced Technologies (E-beam, PEF, HPP up to 6,000 bar, UHPH, UV-C, pulsed light), Automatisierungstechnik (robotics, image processing, AI-supported optimization), Produktinnovation, DIL Netzwerke (EU project acquisition), and Innovation Hub (startup support) — supported by two wholly-owned industrial implementation subsidiaries (DIL Technologie GmbH and DIL Engineering GmbH).

The institute operates a B2B research and contract-services platform spanning contract research, toll manufacturing (food extrusion, disperse systems), analytical services (food physics, NGS biotechnology, authenticity testing), consulting, and continuing education including the M.Sc. FPPE master's program. Revenue is generated through EU/federal/state research grants (EUR 18.6M committed 2020-2029), membership fees from 150+ industrial member companies, project-based contract research for industry partners, toll production orders, and paid education programs. Customer engagement is driven by direct enterprise sales, EU consortium participation (FOSTER, RADIANT, GIANT LEAPS, CIPROMED, legumES, ADVAGROMED), the ETTI MarketSprint accelerator co-founded with Swiss Food Research, and flagship events such as the DIL Technology Day, Insects Plus Congress, and Forum der Fleischwirtschaft.

Name

DIL German Institute for Food Technology

Legal name

DIL Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V.

Website

https://dil-ev.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DIL German Institute for Food Technology is a non-profit applied food-technology research institute in Quakenbrück, Germany, employing ~120 experts across seven departments to deliver contract research, toll manufacturing, analytical services, and continuing education to 150+ food-industry member companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Research and Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Manufacturing & Operations Excellence (Lean/Six Sigma) (BPAHAHAC)

Keywords

• Food research services
• Food process engineering
• Contract food manufacturing
• Food analytics testing
• Life cycle assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Quakenbrück

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Funding (EU, Federal, State): DIL is an international research institution that finances a substantial portion of its work through funding from the European Union, the German Federal Government, and the State of Lower Saxony. The total volume of research funding from 2020 to 2029 is approximately 18.6 million euros.
2. Contract Research and Development: Paid R&D services conducted on behalf of industry partners, member companies, and public bodies. Projects are pre-competitive and developed in close collaboration with industry companies and scientific institutions.
3. Contract Manufacturing (Toll Production): DIL offers toll production services including food extrusion and disperse systems manufacturing, providing industrial-scale production capabilities to food industry partners.
4. Consulting and Advisory Services: Advisory services through the Innovation Hub, sustainability consulting via the Food Data Group, and analytical services including chemical analytics, biotechnology (NGS), and food authenticity testing.
5. Education and Training Programs: Revenue from professional development programs including the Master of Food Process and Product Engineering (M.Sc. FPPE), International Summer University, Quality Manager Food and Feed certification, and compound feed seminars.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DIL Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V. is a non-university, non-profit applied research institute that provides the European food industry with contract research, pilot-scale technology validation, and industrial implementation support across the food value chain. It operates research departments in process engineering (Verfahrenstechnik), Advanced Technologies (E-beam, PEF, HPP, UV-C, pulsed light), Automatisierungstechnik (robotics/AI), Produktinnovation, Food Data Group (LCA and sustainability analytics), and offers toll production, analytical services (food physics, NGS biotechnology, authenticity testing), professional education, and the Innovation Hub / ETTI MarketSprint startup accelerator.

Product overview

DIL Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V. is a non-university, non-profit research institute founded in 1983, serving as an innovation engine for the food industry. Rather than a single product, DIL operates as an integrated platform offering applied research services, contract research, toll manufacturing, analytical services, and professional education programs. The core offerings include: the Food Data Group (providing Life Cycle Assessments and sustainability analytics), Verfahrenstechnik (food process engineering with capabilities in extrusion, encapsulation, and 3D printing), Advanced Technologies (offering non-thermal processing including E-beam, PEF, HPP, UV-C, and pulsed light), Automatisierungstechnik (digital process optimization with AI and robotics), and Produktinnovation (product development from prototyping in their pilot facilities). Complementary services include Innovation Hub for start-up support, analytical services (food physics, biotechnology/NGS, authenticity testing), contract research divisions, toll manufacturing (extrusion and disperse systems), and professional education including the international FPPE master's program. Events include the DIL Technology Day, Insects Plus Kongress, and Forum der Fleischwirtschaft. The institute connects approximately 120 experts with over 150 member companies across Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ETTI MarketSprint: A four-month acceleration program for innovative FoodTech and AgriFood startups and project teams, helping them validate market potential and develop business strategies. Launched by the European Tech Transfer Initiative AgriFood (ETTI), co-founded by DIL.
• ETTI (European Tech Transfer Initiative AgriFood)
• DIL Technology Day
• Insects Plus Kongress
• Forum der Fleischwirtschaft
• DIL Innovation Hub
• Food Data Group
• DIL Netzwerke (DIL Networks)

Products and services

• Applied Food Research Services (Gesamt-Service) Comprehensive applied food technology research services covering the entire food value chain, provided to 150+ member companies and industry partners across Europe.
• Contract R&D (Auftragsforschung) Paid R&D services conducted on behalf of industry partners, member companies, and public bodies, with pre-competitive projects developed in close collaboration with industry and academia.
• Toll Production — Food Extrusion (Lebensmittelextrusion) Toll manufacturing service for food extrusion processes, providing industrial-scale production capabilities to food industry clients.
• Toll Production — Disperse Systems (Disperse Systeme) Toll manufacturing service for disperse systems processing for food industry clients.
• Zentrum für Lebensmittelphysik (Food Physics Center) Analytical services providing physical characterization of food products through the Food Physics Center for industrial partners.
• Biotechnology (NGS) Analytics Biotechnology services using Next Generation Sequencing for food analysis and testing.
• Food Authenticity Testing (Lebensmittelauthentizität) Food authenticity testing and verification services to ensure product integrity and prevent fraud for food manufacturers.
• Food Data Group — LCA and Sustainability Analytics Data-based sustainability research providing Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), socio-economic evaluation, footprint analyses, and sustainability metrics for measurable sustainability for food industry partners.
• Innovation Hub & ETTI MarketSprint Startup Accelerator Four-month market validation accelerator for FoodTech and AgriFood startups, plus startup consulting, bootcamps, coaching and networking events fostering innovation in the European food sector.
• Master of Food Process and Product Engineering (M.Sc. FPPE) International master's degree program in food process and product engineering offered in collaboration with academic institutions.
• International Summer University (SummerLab) International summer university program providing practical insights into modern food technologies.
• Quality Manager Food and Feed Certification Program Specialized continuing education program for quality management professionals in food and feed industries.
• Compound Feed Production Seminar (Herstellung von Mischfutter) Specialized seminar on compound feed production for professionals in the feed industry.
• FoodTech Consulting & Advisory Services Advisory services through the Innovation Hub, sustainability consulting via the Food Data Group, and analytical services including chemical analytics, biotechnology (NGS), and food authenticity testing for food industry partners.
• EU Research Project Coordination & Funding Acquisition DIL Networks department provides EU research proposal initiation and conception, strategic alignment with funding programs (Horizon Europe, EIT Food, PRIMA, Interreg), and project coordination and administrative management for EU-funded projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Total research funding of approximately 18.6 million euros secured from 2020 to 2029 across EU, federal, and state sources
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FOSTER Consortium (Horizon Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021FOSTER (Fostering Food System Transformation) is a Horizon Europe project coordinated by DIL, involving over 20 partners including University of Hohenheim, Fraunhofer ISI, University of Oxford, IRTA (Spain), Wageningen University & Research, and Thünen-Institut. The project aims to create a new Knowledge and Innovation System (KIS) for the European food system through a knowledge platform, FOSTER Academy, and research and innovation policy analyses.
• RADIANT Consortium (H2020)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner28-member H2020 consortium building dynamic value chains for underutilized crops. Partners include Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Crops for the Future, Wageningen University, University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, James Hutton Institute, and FAO. DIL participates as a partner working on sustainable value chain development for agricultural biodiversity.
• GIANT LEAPS Consortium (EU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU project with 34 partners including Stichting Wageningen Research as coordinator. DIL (Food Data Group) leads Work Package 6 on cloud-based data integration platform development and contributes to Work Package 5 on sustainability and climate assessment. The project accelerates dietary shift from animal to alternative proteins.
• CIPROMED ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project on circular and integrative use of alternative proteins in Mediterranean value chains. Partners include University of Thessaly, University of Bologna, University of Turin, Italian National Research Council, Technion (Israel), Institut für Lebensmittel- und Umweltforschung, AlgaEnergy, nextProtein, Flying Spark, and AquaBioTech. DIL contributes expertise in protein processing and sustainable food technology.
• legumES ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project (01.01.2024 – 01.12.2027) with 22 partners including Terres Inovia, SEGES Innovation, RSK ADAS, University of Perugia, Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Wageningen University, and FiBL. DIL contributes to quantifying ecological and economic benefits of legumes for ecosystem services.
• ADVAGROMED ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerH2020/PRIMA project (01.09.2022 – 01.08.2025) developing advanced agroecological approaches integrating insect farming with local field practices in Mediterranean countries. Partners include UNITO (Italy), UTH (Greece), CNR (Italy), USMS (Morocco), SERIDA (Spain), IO (Portugal). DIL participates in this circular economy and zero-waste agricultural system development.
• Swiss Food Research (SFR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIL co-founded the European Tech Transfer Initiative AgriFood (ETTI) with Swiss Food Research in 2026 to accelerate the transfer of scientific innovations into marketable products and business models in the European agri-food sector. SFR serves as the Swiss counterpart in this joint initiative.
• ELEA GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic technology partnership for pulsed electric field (PEF) processing. DIL collaborates with ELEA on adapting PEF for industrial applications and researching new applications. Nearly 300 PEF systems are deployed globally, including in potato processing and liquid product preservation.
• Leiber GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner in the HePro³ project for the development and evaluation of beer yeast protein extraction at pilot scale. Collaboration on evaluating commercial viability and scalability of yeast protein production processes.
• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft – Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung (ISI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the FOSTER project contributing expertise in research and innovation policy analysis for European food system transformation. Fraunhofer ISI is a leading institute for technology, innovation, and policy research.
• University of OxfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the FOSTER project, contributing to the development of a new Knowledge and Innovation System for the European food system through interdisciplinary research collaboration.
• Wageningen University & ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading agricultural and food science university collaborating with DIL across multiple EU projects including FOSTER, GIANT LEAPS, RADIANT, and legumES. Wageningen serves as a key reference partner in European food system research and innovation.
• European Tech Transfer Initiative AgriFood (ETTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative co-founded by DIL and Swiss Food Research in 2026 to accelerate the transfer of scientific innovations into marketable products in the European agri-food sector. ETTI operates the MarketSprint accelerator program for FoodTech and AgriFood startups.
• CLIMAQUA Consortium (ERA-Net)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU project developing innovative feed production approaches to reduce climate impact of aquaculture. Partners include ILU e.V., Nofima, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Karoo Catch (Norway), ARC (South Africa), and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research (KALRO).
• Cooperative Hemp Project PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIP agricultural innovation project developing hemp-based dairy alternatives. Partners include Molkerei Ammerland eG, Caspers Milch, and Strodthoff-Schneider und Partner GbR. DIL developed processing technologies for hemp protein integration into dairy products.
• Larvae Solutions GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ReproFly project developing continuous reproduction systems for Black Soldier Fly larvae. Collaboration on automating fly reproduction units for decentralized production on farms.
• SLA Software Logistik Artland GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware and logistics partner in the ReproFly project contributing expertise in system control and automation for continuous Black Soldier Fly larvae reproduction technology.
• Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover (TiHo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in LignoInsect project developing ways to convert lignocellulose from paludiculture (rewetted peatland biomass) into insect protein and fat for pet food and human consumption. TiHo contributes veterinary and animal science expertise.
• TRANSIT ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU education network for sustainable food technologies. Partners include University of Malta, University of Reading, Leibniz IPST, Wageningen Research, Hyperbaric, Arla Foods, Nestlé, Unilever, and others. DIL leads the work package on ultrasound optimization for microbial decontamination.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• INRAE: France's national research institute for agriculture, food, and environment. INRAE operates comparable scale, scope of food/feed research, EU consortium leadership, and pilot-scale infrastructure, and competes for similar Horizon Europe and PRIMA funding.
• Teagasc: Ireland's agriculture and food development authority. Teagasc provides applied food research, contract services, and pilot facilities to member companies, and is a credible pan-European peer in food processing and sustainability research.
• Agroscope: Swiss federal research institute for agriculture, food, and environmental research. Agroscope is comparable as a publicly funded, multi-site applied food research organisation that delivers contract research, pilot facilities, and policy-grade sustainability analytics.
• TNO: The Netherlands' applied research organisation with food and nutrition programs. TNO competes for similar EU funding streams and operates comparable contract-research and pilot-services models for European food manufacturers.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's applied research organisation with deep capabilities in food processing, bioprocessing, and pilot-scale technologies. Comparable to DIL as a publicly funded, contract-research-driven institute serving the European food industry.
• Wageningen University & Research: The leading European applied food and agricultural research organisation. Wageningen is a recurring DIL consortium partner (FOSTER, GIANT LEAPS, RADIANT, legumES) and operates comparable contract-research, pilot-scale, and member-company programs.
• Fraunhofer Institute (notably IVV): Germany's flagship applied research network, with Fraunhofer IVV focused on food and packaging technology. Fraunhofer ISI is a DIL partner in FOSTER, and the broader Fraunhofer model — public funding plus industry contract research — closely mirrors DIL's operating logic.
• Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology (LSB@TUM): German Leibniz Association institute focused on food systems biology and analytics. Shares DIL's overlap in food authenticity, analytical chemistry, and biotechnology, and competes for similar federal/state research funding in Germany.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Scientific: Global market leader in food and feed testing, with extensive contract research and authenticity-testing capabilities. Provides an external benchmark for the scale and commercial maturity of the analytical services adjacent to DIL's offering.
• Mérieux NutriSciences: Global food testing, auditing, and contract research provider. Overlaps with DIL's analytical/authenticity and food safety offerings, but operates at far greater commercial scale and geographic breadth across the food industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DIL German Institute for Food Technology