Chair: Marco Better

Affiliation: OptTek Systems (US)

Track Description: The track focuses on methodologies and technologies Liquid Food Processing including Modeling & Simulation based approaches. Researcher are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to liquid food processing are also welcome):

• Liquid food processing
• Heat transfer
• Mathematical modelling
• Physical modelling
• Dynamic modelling and simulation
• Process dynamics
• Liquid food transition
• Modelling in Modelica
• Liquid food plant production scheduling

Please be sure to select “Liquid Food Processing” as main topic during the submission.

Chair: Michel Havet

Affiliation: GEPEA (France)

Track Description: The track focuses on methodologies and technologies Liquid Food Processing including Modeling & Simulation based approaches.

Researcher are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to liquid food processing are also welcome):

• Modelling of thermal unit operations in food (Heating, Drying, Cooking, Refrigeration, Chilling, Freezing, etc.)
• Modelling of mechanical unit operations in food (Mixing, Separation, Emulsification, etc.)
• Specific emphasize on Multiphysics (Microwave thawing, pasteurization, Radiofrequency heating, etc.)
• CFD analysis.
• Kinetics modelling.
• Automation and process control.

Please be sure to select “Modelling & Simulation of Food Processing” as main topic during the submission.

Chair: Mustafa Tahsin Yilmaz

Affiliation: Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi (Turkey)

Track Description: The track focuses on methodologies and technologies on Liquid, Semi-solid and Solid Food Processing including Modeling & Simulation based approaches.Researcher are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to liquid food processing are also welcome):

• Creep and recovery properties of visco-elastic foods.
• Time-dependent fluids.
• Non-linear (Fourier Transform) rheology.
• Development of fitting simulation models describing the fluid behavior of fluid and semi-solid and foods.
• Use of non-linear simulation models describing textural properties of solid foods.
• Inference from big data (Mathematical modeling and analysis of big size of data from multiple factorial experimental design).

Please be sure to select “Modelling and Simulation of Physical Properties of Foods” as main topic during the submission.

Chair: Giuseppe Vignali

Affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Parma (Italy)

Track Description: The track focuses on methodologies and technologies Liquid Food Processing including Modeling & Simulation based approaches. Researcher are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to liquid food processing are also welcome):

1. Environmental assessment of Food processes
   • Life Cycle Assessment of agriculture production, food processing and packaging
   • Evaluation of sustainability in food transport
   • Environment impact of food waste and novel methodologies to reduce its impact
2. Economical evaluation of food processes
   • Modelling of economic saving associated to new food processing and packaging
   • Economical assessment of new food formulation
   • Economical evaluation of active and intelligent packaging applied in the food sector
3. Social aspect of food processes and nutrition
   • Modelling of food demand and distribution around the world
   • Simulation of nutrition models able to satisfy the population request
   • Reduction of food waste along the whole food supply chain

Please be sure to select “Sustainability of Food Processes” as main topic during the submission.

Chair: Ruben Mercade Prieto

Affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science of Soochow University (China)

Track Description: The track focuses on Modelling and simulation of food fouling and cleaning techniques. Researcher are invited to submit original articles on this topic but also similar topics are welcome.

Please be sure to select “Modelling and simulation of food fouling and cleaning techniques” as main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Emilio Jimenez, (b)Giovanni Mirabelli , (b)Vittorio Solina

Affiliation: ^(a)Universidad de La Rioja (Spain), ^(b)University of Calabria (Italy)

Track Description: The recent Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of global and local agri-food supply chains. Innovative approaches are needed to improve the sustainability and resilience of food systems. This track aims to collect scientific contributions regarding the use of the Modeling & Simulation (M&S) paradigm to support the management of agri-food supply chains.
Researchers are invited to submit original articles on the following topics:
– M&S for supply chain network design
– Novel approaches for agri-food logistics
– Methodologies for inventory optimization
– M&S for food waste minimization
– Sustainability and resilience of agri-food systems
– Simulation-based strategies for facing COVID-like crises  

Please be sure to select “Modeling & Simulation for agri-food supply chain management” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Lilia Sidhom, (b)Sondes Hammami
Affiliation: ^(a) Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (Tunisia), ^(b) Industrial Management Department, National Engineering School of Carthage, Carthage University (Tunisia)
Track Description: The track focuses on studies and context-analysis of sustainability in the agri-food sector and the agri-food supply chain highlighting the current challenges of such sector as well as the solutions and practices proposed to face them and focusing on the sustainability assessment approaches. 
Researchers are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to agri-food supply chains are also welcome):

• Sustainability studies based on context-analysis of the agri-food sector.
•  Sustainability studies based on laws and legislation of the agri-food sector.
•  Sustainability scenario conceptualization in the agri-food sector.
•  Sustainability assessment approaches:
  – Assessment-based sustainable indicators/index
  –  Innovative sustainable indicators/index
  –  Sustainability index design based on mathematical models (e.g., multi-criteria decision-making approach, etc.).

Please be sure to select “Sustainability in the agri-food sector: challenges, solutions, and assessment” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Roberta Stefanini, (b)Luca Preite

Affiliation: ^(a)(b) Department of Engineering for Industrial Systems and Technologies, University of Parma (Italy)

Track Description: he track focuses on innovative technologies applied in agriculture, investigating their applications, benefits and limitations, practical cases, and future developments.
Researchers are invited to submit original articles on the following suggested topics:

• Digital transformation of agricultural fields.
• IoT technology, 4.0 sensors and cloud-based systems in agriculture. 
• Water management technologies in agriculture. 
• Indoor farming (hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming)
•  Precision agriculture technologies.
• Robots, aerial images, and GPS technology. 

Other similar and relevant topics are welcome.

Please be sure to select “Technologies in Agriculture” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Hana Trollman, (b)Sandeep Jagtap
Affiliation: ^(a)University of Leicester (UK),^(b)Lund University (Sweden)

Track Description: The track focuses on the integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things, automation and robotics, and digital twins to support food safety and quality control in agri-food supply chains. Original research submissions are invited on topics including:

• Agri-food supply chain and logistics simulation (food handling, cold-chain transport, storage,
  etc.)
• Simulation of disruptions affecting food safety and quality (food recall strategies, contamination
  containment, etc.)
• Modelling and simulation of sustainability/circular economy including trade-offs between food
  safety and quality and waste reduction, energy efficiency, sustainable packaging / preservation
• Human and organizational factors in food safety and quality
• Decision support for food safety and quality
•  Food quality management models
• Food safety management systems
• Environment scanning and monitoring systems (consumer demand, policy changes, etc.)
•  Alternative food supply chains (designation of origin, fair trade / fair price, etc.)
• Certifications (halal, gluten free, etc.)
• Cybersecurity
• Perishability and shelf-life
• Traceability, visibility, transparency
• Microbiological, chemical and/or physical hazards
• Adulteration and contaminants
• Supplier compliance
• Continuous improvement

Other similar and relevant topics are welcome.

Please be sure to select “Modelling and Simulation for Digitally-Enabled Food Safety and Quality Control in Agri-Food Supply Chains” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Christian Krupitzer, (a)Dana Jox, (b)Nicholas Watson, (c)Yizhou Ma
Affiliation: ^(a)University of Hohenheim (Germany),^(b)University of Leeds (UK), ^(c)Wageningen University (Netherlands)

Track Description: Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science are transforming the food industry toward more efficient, sustainable, and predictive systems. This track focuses on data-driven and intelligent approaches for modeling, simulation, and optimization of the techno-functional behavior of food ingredients, food production, and sustainability aspects. It aims to bring together experts from food technology, data analytics, and systems engineering to explore how AI, ML, data science, and digital twins can support the design of novel foods, improve process control, and enhance sustainability across the food value chain.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• AI and ML for food process optimization and techno-functionality prediction
• Data-driven modeling and simulation of food production
• Digital twins for food processes and products
• Physics-informed and hybrid AI models in food science
• Decision support systems integrating AI for food formulation
• Intelligent process control and automation in Food Industry 4.0
• Standardization and interoperability of food data
• Open data architectures and FAIR data management
• Data-driven innovation for sustainable and circular food systems

Please be sure to select “Artificial Intelligence and Data-driven Approaches for Food Techno-functionality and Sustainable Food
Production” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Guoqing Zhao, (b)Shaofeng Liu
Affiliation: ^(a)Swansea University (UK),^(b)University of Plymouth (UK)

Track Description: This track explores innovative approaches, technologies, and practices that enhance resilience, sustainability, and equity of agri-food production systems in an era of climate uncertainty and global disruption. Researchers are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to this track are also welcome):

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Identification and assessment of risks of agri-food production systems;
• New frameworks and models to advance understanding of agri-food production system resilience;
• Disruptive technologies for building a resilient, sustainable and equitable agri-food production
  systems;
• Food sharing practices to create equitable agri-food production systems;
• Developing circular agri-food production systems for waste reduction and enhancement of resource efficiency;
• Sustainable and regenerative farming practices that are relevant to soil health, biodiversity conservation, and low-input systems;
• Governance and policy frameworks that support sustainable transitions;
• Collaborative innovation and knowledge co-creation through multi-stakeholder partnerships;
• Modern slavery in agri-food production systems;

Please be sure to select “Resilient, Sustainable and Equitable Agri-Food Production Systems” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Maria Valero, (b)Luis Pinto Ferreira, (b)Paulo Ávila

Affiliation: ^(a)University of Bristol (UK),^(b)Polytechnic of Porto (Portugal)

Track Description: The transition to Industry 5.0 demands a rethinking of food systems and operations that balances technological innovation, resilience, and sustainability while keeping humans at the centre (human-centricity). This track focuses on methodolgies and technologies for Industry 5.0 food systems and operations, capturing the interplay between human factors and dynamics (e.g., ergonomics, human–machine and human–robot interaction, decision-making, team dynamics and collaboration, etc.) and digital transformation through Industry 4.0 and digital technologies (e.g., AI, IoT, robots & cobots, etc.). Researcher are invited to submit original articles on the following topics (additional topics related to Industry 5.0 are also welcome):

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Modelling, simulation, and optimisation of Industry 5.0 food operations, supply, or value chains
• Agent-based, discrete-event, or system-dynamics modelling of socio-technical interactions and dynamics
• Data-driven and AI-enabled decision-support systems for resilient and sustainable food operations
• Automation and digital transformation of food operations and processes 
• Systems thinking and transdisciplinary approaches to food system resilience
• Digital transformation and workforce upskilling in Industry 5.0 environments
• Stakeholder-driven and/or participatory food system design
• Collaborative and participatory decision-making in food operations
• Multi-stakeholder engagement in digital transformation processes
• Ethical AI and human-in-the-loop decision-support frameworks

Please be sure to select “Approaches in Food Operations and Processing Systems for Industry 5.0” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)(b)Yasanur Kayikci, (b)Hongwei Zhang, (b)(c)Alex Shenfield,(d)(e)Jims Marchang
Affiliation: ^(a)University Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University (UK),^(c)School of Engineering and Built Environment, Sheffield Hallam University (UK), ^(d)Computing and Digital Technologies, Sheffield Hallam University (UK), ^(e)Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University (UK) 

Track Description: Food supply networks face growing challenges from climate variability, geopolitical disruptions, urbanisation, and evolving consumer expectations. Addressing these challenges requires “system-level innovation” that integrates advanced modelling, simulation, and disruptive digital technologies to design and build resilient, adaptive, transparent, and secure supply networks. This track explores how blockchain, IoT, AI, cyber-physical systems, and zero trust architectures can enhance trust, transparency, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency across the food value chain. It aims to bring together researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers to explore cross-disciplinary solutions spanning production, processing, logistics, and last-mile distribution. Special emphasis is placed on Food Logistics 5.0, highlighting human–cyber–physical collaboration, smart automation, sustainable operations, and secure, reliable data exchange.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Modelling and simulation for resilient, adaptive, transparent, and secure food supply networks
• Food Logistics 5.0: human–cyber–physical collaboration and smart logistics operations
• Blockchain-enabled traceability, transparency, and trust in food supply chains
• IoT-based monitoring and real-time analytics for logistics visibility
• Zero trust architectures for cybersecurity, data integrity, and secure supply chains
• Optimisation of last-mile and urban food distribution for perishable products
• Hybrid simulation approaches: agent-based, system dynamics, discrete-event
• AI-driven decision support for network planning and disruption management
• Circular economy and sustainable design in food supply systems
• Modelling and mitigation of food loss and food waste across the supply network
• Data interoperability, governance, and standards for connected food ecosystems
• Scenario analysis and risk-informed planning for climate and geopolitical shocks

Please be sure to select “Resilient, Smart and Transparent Food Supply Networks: Modelling, Simulation and Disruptive
Technologies” as the main topic during the submission.

Co-chairs: (a)Christopher John Topping
Affiliation: ^(a)Aarhus University (Denmark)

Track Description: 
Agricultural production systems are embedded within complex social-ecological landscapes where management decisions reverberate through food chains, ecosystem services, and environmental quality. This track invites contributions that employ simulation approaches to understand, predict, and manage agriculture-environment interactions. Topics include, but are not limited to: environmental risk assessment for agrochemicals and emerging technologies; biodiversity dynamics in agricultural landscapes; design and evaluation of regenerative farming systems; simulation of pollutant fate and transport in agroecosystems; and decision-support tools for evidence-based agricultural policy. We particularly welcome systems-oriented contributions that capture feedback between agricultural practices and environmental outcomes, moving beyond single-stressor or single-endpoint assessments. Methodological approaches may include agent-based models, landscape simulation, population dynamics, ecosystem network models, and data-driven methods, such as machine learning, particularly when integrated with mechanistic process understanding. As agriculture faces pressure to ensure food security while meeting environmental, economic, and social objectives, and to respond to changing market dynamics, simulation offers essential capabilities for exploring management scenarios and their trade-offs before implementation. This track aims to bring together researchers advancing simulation science to support sustainable agricultural systems.

 Suggested sessions:

• Beyond Single Stressors: Simulation for Environmental Risk Assessment
• Biodiversity Dynamics in Agricultural Landscapes
• Regenerative Agriculture: Simulation and Evaluation
• Modelling Pollutant Fate and Transport in Agroecosystems
• From Components to Systems: Integrative Modelling for Sustainable Agriculture
• Socio-Economic and Behavioural Dimensions of Agricultural Decision-Making
• Decision Support Tools for Agricultural Policy

Please be sure to select “Simulation for the Agricultural Environment” as the main topic during the submission.