The goal is to create an even stronger research, advisory and innovation division, which covers the entire food industry. This will bring Denmark in an even stronger position in food innovation worldwide.

"Danish Meat Research Institute has for many years played a key role in bringing the Danish slaughterhouses in a world leading position amongst the world's most modern slaughterhouses. As we want to remain in the front, it is necessary to ensure that we are still able to get the right knowledge and the best skilled manpower. This agreement with the Danish Technological Institute ensures a powerful centre for food innovation," said Christina Hvid, CEO of Danish Slaughterhouses.

The merger is designed to benefit the Danish meat industry.

"Danish Technological Institute is Denmark's largest advisor on food, food innovation and food technology. We are among the most trusted advisors in the field in Europe. And we work to become even stronger, explains CEO Søren Stjernqvist from the Danish Technological Institute, and adds: Danish Meat Research Institute is a world leader in productivity, product quality and food safety in the manufacture of meat and meatproducts. And now we look forward to achieving a great synergy from the fusion.

"The combination of these skills will provide research, development and innovation activities a significant boost and give a better professional environment for Danish Meat Research Institute staff. The merger will also allow slaughterhouses access to new knowledge that will enhance their competitiveness. So we are very pleased with the agreement," Christina Hvid said.

Danish Technological Institute has by this agreement a desire to be the ideal partner for the Danish meat industry to act as guarantor of high quality in research and development, as well as consultancy and service.

"In these years the Danish food industry meet a number of challenges due to global competition and consumers' growing demand for easy, fast, tasty and healthy products. This necessitates new alliances to ensure the entire Danish food industry the best opportunities for growth, nationally and abroad at foreign markets," said Søren Stjernqvist.

Danish Meat Research Institute will form a new division of the Danish Technological Institute, and the staff in Roskilde follows.

"In this way we ensure that all activities of Danish Meat Research Institute can continue to be performed at the same high level. Simultaneously, the positive synergies across divisions will be increasingly exploited for the benefit of all parties," Søren Stjernqvist added.