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.