SPIN4EIC Agriculture, food and beverage

Challenge: Lightweight PET bottles while extending or maintaining shelf-life and thermal stability by PepsiCo

Lightweight PET bottles while extending or maintaining shelf-life and thermal stability   About  PepsiCo is a global food and beverage corporation dedicated to innovation, sustainability and enhancing consumer experiences, with an emphasis on creating advanced solutions that optimize operations, minimize environmental impact and enhance customer engagement.   The Challenge   The challenge focuses on enhancing the structural stability and extending the shelf life of carbonated soft drinks in lightweight PET bottles. It aims to explore:

• Solutions that address the limitations of current PET packaging in terms of damage during production, transportation, and hot fill processes
• Technologies that improve resistance to deformation, maintain bottle integrity under stress, and support maximum fill volume
• Approaches that are both cost-effective and scalable for large-scale manufacturing

The ultimate goal is to enable lighter PET bottles that meet PepsiCo’s quality, performance, and shelf-life standards without increasing costs or compromising sustainability. Reward Successful applicants may receive funded research support ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, along with the opportunity to collaborate directly with PepsiCo’s experienced team of scientists and engineers, who bring deep expertise in packaging, food science, and large-scale product commercialization. Timeframe

• Deadline for Submitting Proposals: September 17, 2025

Who can apply  

• Applicants with TRL 4-9 solutions

How to apply  Application through the PepsiCo’s Open Innovation Portal Find here all the details and the submission page  The SPIN4EIC consortium is not responsible for the challenges launched by private or public buyers. Each participating entity is solely responsible for its own challenge, including the selection process, communication with applicants, and all information provided to participants.

Challenge: Physical segregation of whole cocoa bean fractions

Physical segregation of whole cocoa bean fractions About Cargill is an American multinational and a global leader in food, agriculture, financial, and industrial solutions, with a focus on sustainability, innovation and supply chain excellence.  The Challenge The challenge focuses on improving the physical separation of cocoa bean components - nibs, shells, and fines - during processing. It aims to explore:

• New processes or mechanical systems that enable clean separation of fractions;
• Solutions that reduce misclassification and product loss;
• Approaches that mitigate caking and clumping caused by the high-fat content of cocoa nibs;

The ultimate goal is to enhance product quality and reduce waste through more accurate and efficient fraction separation. Reward Successful applicants can receive early-stage funding of up to $100,000, with potential for additional co-development or licensing support based on solution maturity. Access to testing materials and Cargill’s scientific and engineering expertise is also provided. Timeframe Deadline for Submitting Offers: 31 May 2025 Who can apply

• Applicants with TRL 2-9 solutions
• Solutions must demonstrate:
  • Effective separation of nibs, shells, and fines;
  • Less than 0.5% w/w misclassification;
  • Potential for continuous 24/7 operation at high volumes.

How to apply Application through HALO Platform. Find here all the details and the submission page.  The SPIN4EIC consortium is not responsible for the challenges launched by private or public buyers. Each participating entity is solely responsible for its own challenge, including the selection process, communication with applicants, and all information provided to participants.

Challenge: Elevating Lactose and Derivatives Through Innovative Processes and Applications by Leprino Foods

  Elevating Lactose and Derivatives Through Innovative Processes and Applications About Leprino Foods, based in the United States, is a leading dairy ingredient manufacturer focused on developing lactose-based solutions for the nutrition, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. The Challenge The challenge focuses on transforming lactose from a low-value commodity into high-demand, market-ready products. It aims to explore:

• Conversion of lactose into value-added compounds through innovative processes
• Scalable applications in materials, cosmetics, medical, and food sectors
• Novel uses for derivatives like lactobionic acid, lactulose, and hydrogels
• Opportunities where lactose outperforms cheaper carbohydrates

The ultimate goal is to unlock new markets and commercial potential for lactose-based solutions. Reward Successful applicants can receive 6 to 12 months of funded research, up to $100,000 (dependent on the scope of work), including access to pilot-scale facilities, experts access, and analytical data of input materials. Timeframe Deadline for Submitting Offers: 31 May 2025 Who can apply

• Applicants with TRL 3-9 solutions

How to apply Application through HALO Platform. Find here all the details and the submission page. The SPIN4EIC consortium is not responsible for the challenges launched by private or public buyers. Each participating entity is solely responsible for its own challenge, including the selection process, communication with applicants, and all information provided to participants.

Challenge: Pilot actions aimed at the development of a sustainable aquaculture systems by Regione Emilia-Romagna

Pre-Commercial Procurement Process Regione Emilia-Romagna About The Region of Emilia-Romagna has issued a procedure titled "Pilot actions aimed at the introduction of new species and the development of sustainable aquaculture systems." The interventions must be carried out within the reference territory of GALPA Costa Emilia-Romagna. The tender is a PCP, focusing on piloting and testing innovative approaches before potential large-scale implementation. The Challenge The challenge is aimed to support aquaculture in accordance with Article 27 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1139, fostering sustainable production while addressing the need for diversification beyond monocultures and single-product systems. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing production and processing techniques by driving innovation through the adoption of advanced technologies and tools. By strengthening the sector’s resilience, it aims to improve the quality and competitiveness of aquaculture by maintaining a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Timeframe Deadline for Submitting Offers: May 8h, 2025, 18:00 CET. Offers must be submitted in .pdf format to the following e-mail: deltaduemila@pec.it. Who can apply The tender is open to research entities and laboratories, micro-enterprises, and SMEs, as specified in the procedure's descriptive document. For more information, please refer to the tender notice here: Tender Notice. How to apply   You can find here all the details of the procedure. The SPIN4EIC consortium is not responsible for the challenges launched by private or public buyers. Each participating entity is solely responsible for its own challenge, including the selection process, communication with applicants, and all information provided to participants.