Description

As an EIC-funded (European Innovation Council) SME, you probably already had the chance to pitch your solution in multiple matchmaking initiatives to attract the attention of investors or potential customers. But did you ever try to build win-win synergies and co-create solutions with Business Partners? The EIC Greenhouse Gas Programme aims to leverage unique collaborative experiences between EIC companies and large European organisations and offer EIC companies the chance to co-create products and services. In this light, the European Innovation Council and Unilever invite you to apply to our joint EIC GHG Co-creation initiative. 

Unilever’s purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace. Established over 100 years ago, Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. Unilever is known for its great brands, a global footprint and its belief in doing business the right way. The co-creation journey with Unilever kicks off with an event on 10 November 2021. 

The challenges

The Unilever’s challenges: are mainly focused on less energy-intensive ice-creams, new carbon-neutral packing and low carbon food. 

Challenge: Solutions to reduce energy consumption in ice cream frozen cabinets 

Unilever is the largest Ice Cream manufacturer in the world, with over a billion smiles delivered every year in over 40 countries. Every day, millions of consumers choose Unilever products from the frozen cabinets in the local baker, at a beach kiosk, or in a convenience store. These frozen cabinets keep the ice cream perfect for consumption occasions, but also represent a large part of their greenhouse gas footprint, due to the energy required to maintain ice cream frozen at -18oC. Unilever is looking for solutions to lower the energy use per cabinet while maintaining the required ice cream quality.   

Unilever is looking for cost-effective solutions to reduce the energy consumption in ice cream frozen cabinets. Example of areas of interest where they are seeking solutions includes:  

• Sub-challenge 1.1: Improvements to energy use in vapour compression refrigeration systems and low-carbon alternatives to vapour compression  
• Sub-challenge 1.2: Insulation materials for the body of the frozen cabinet  
• Sub-challenge 1.3: Insulation films for transparent cabinet lid  
• Sub-challenge 1.4: any other cost-effective solutions that can contribute to reduce the energy consumption in ice cream frozen cabinets   

Your co-creation journey 

The EIC GHG Co-creation with Unilever will be an entirely virtual service for six months, following the co-creation journey below: 

Step 1: Applications and Info webinar 

To apply to the EIC GHG Co-creation with Unilever, you will have to fill the application form available here by 1st of October 2021. 

During the application process, an Info webinar (15 September 2021, 15:00 CET) will be organised to provide more information about the co-creation initiative, the application requirements, and the challenges. If you would like to attend this info-webinar, register here. 

*Please note that your registration to the info webinar does not imply that you will be selected for the co-creation initiative with Unilever. 

Step 2: Selection process 

As soon as we close the submission process, your application will be shared with Unilever, and they will proceed with the evaluation and selection of the final list of participants. You will be contacted once the selection process is concluded. However, any feedback or recommendation to the companies that were not selected is not foreseen.

 Step 3: Co-creation kick-off event – 10 November | Save the date! 

After the selection process, a two-day ideation event with Unilever will take place on 10 November 2021. This will help you better understand the challenges and start co-developing your solutions with the business partners. During this meeting, you will also have the chance to define a clear roadmap for your next steps. 

Step 4: Iteration & Development 

A period of one month to implement the roadmap that you define with Unilever and validate it with the company regularly ensuring you are steering in the right direction. 

Demo Day 

The Demo Day will showcase the final solutions and promote them to a bigger audience. Date TBD. 

Need help?   

For additional information, please check the Open Call available in the EIC Community here or refer to  our helpdesk (please choose 'EIC GHG: Co-creation with Unilever’ as the subject).