Fidel Toldrá Vilardell, research professor of the Protein Food group at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), located in the scientific-academic area of the University of Valencia Science Park (PCUV), has been distinguished with the 2025 Advanced Materials Laureate, a prestigious international recognition awarded by the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM). This award is one of the highest honors that the Association awards to researchers in recognition of excellence in research and innovation in advanced materials. The prize was awarded on 18 August in Stockholm (Sweden) during the 65th Advanced Materials Assembly and Congress.
Professor Toldrá has been recognized for his outstanding work in revaluing by-products generated in the meat and fisheries sector through the use of sustainable technologies, as well as promoting international cooperation in this area. This award, along with other recent awards given to the researcher by the Institute of Food Science (IFT), the American Meat Science Association and the American Chemical Society, supports Toldrá’s outstanding work in the laboratory. "Receiving this type of recognition strengthens our work and encourages us to continue advancing in the research of innovative technologies that contribute to building a more sustainable future," says the researcher.
"The food sector faces enormous challenges, and sustainability is central to them. From research, we work on innovative technological solutions that allow the valorization of by-products, turning what was once a complex waste to be treated into resources with application and economic value in fields as diverse as food, health, chemistry or energy", Fidel Toldrá, IATA researcher
Currently, his work focuses on the recovery of meat and fish by-products as well as process optimization to improve sustainability in the meat sector. His background has been key in the research of meat biochemical processes and in the manufacture of meat products. "The food sector faces enormous challenges, and sustainability is central to them. From research, we work on innovative technological solutions that allow the valorization of by-products, turning what was once a complex waste to be treated into resources with application and economic value in fields as diverse as food, health, chemistry or energy," he adds.
Fidel Toldrá Vilardell is a Research Professor at the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and member of the Protein Food Group at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC) at the PCUV. In addition, he is an Associate Professor of Food Technology at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. His scientific career has been devoted to the study of biochemistry and meat technology, with special emphasis on food safety, quality and sustainable use of by-products, a field in which he is one of the most cited authors in the world.
He has published more than 375 articles in international scientific journals, over 163 book chapters and is the author of 12 patents for industrial applications. Throughout his career, Fidel Toldrá has been recognized with numerous international awards that attest to his impact on food science and technology. International Meat Science and Technology Award from the International Meat Secretariat (2002), Distinguished Research Award (2010), Meat Processing Award (2014) and International Lectureship Award (2023) from the American Meat Science Association, as well as the Award for the Advancement of Agricultural and Food Chemistry from the American Chemical Society (2019) and the Research & Development Award from the Institute of Food Technologists (2025). In addition, it has received the prestigious DUPONT Prize for Science (2015) and the ANICE José Flores Award for Innovation (2019) from the National Association of Meat Companies of Spain (ANICE).
His tireless dedication to research has not only had a significant impact on the food industry, but has also contributed to advancing and improving the safety and sustainability of food production. This recognition reinforces the relevance of its work and reaffirms its leadership in finding innovative solutions to the challenges of the agri-food sector.
Source: IATA