Matís

Matís
Icelandic Food and Biotech R&D

Matís is Iceland’s leading research and development institute in the food and biotechnology sectors. Established in 2007, through the merger of three former public research institutes, Matís operates as an independent, government-owned, non-profit R&D company headquartered in Reykjavík, Iceland. Its core mission is to support and strengthen the Icelandic food industry and broader bioeconomic sectors by driving innovation, ensuring quality and safety, and adding value throughout food production and biotech processes.

At its foundation, Matís focuses on generating scientific knowledge and practical solutions that help food producers, startups, and established companies enhance products, improve processes, and adapt to evolving market and regulatory demands. The institute provides a wide range of analytical and consulting services, including chemical and microbiological analyses, environmental and air quality measurements, genetic testing, and sensory evaluation of food products. These services support both public authorities and private sector clients in ensuring that food products meet high standards of safety, quality, and nutritional value.

Beyond laboratory services, Matís plays a pivotal role in facilitating innovation and sustainability in the Icelandic food system. It collaborates closely with food producers, academic institutions, industry partners, and international research consortia to develop new technologies, optimize existing processes, and explore more sustainable uses of biological resources. Matís’s work is particularly relevant to Iceland’s seafood economy, where fisheries and aquaculture are cornerstones of national GDP and cultural identity. Matís engages in projects that look at value creation from marine biomass, waste reduction, and the development of bio-based products that can supplement or replace traditional materials and fossil-based inputs.

Matís also contributes to capacity building and education in the food and biotech fields. Through partnerships with universities and participation in EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, the institute hosts graduate students, offers training, and disseminates research findings to industry stakeholders and the wider public. This educational role helps nurture the next generation of scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Iceland and abroad.

Matís stands as a central pillar of Iceland’s bioeconomic landscape—bridging fundamental research, practical application, and sustainable innovation. Its work enhances the competitiveness of Icelandic food and biotech industries, supports environmental stewardship, and contributes to public health and economic resilience through science-based solutions and collaborative research.