Non-Artificial Chelating Agents 

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 identifying non-artificial antimicrobial preservatives and natural chelating agents to replace commonly used chelating agents such as EDTA and SHMP. It aims to explore: 

• Chelating agents with strong binding for divalent cations like Fe, Ca, and Mg 

• Clean-label, food-grade, non-GMO, and allergen-free ingredients, ideally botanical in nature and potentially labelable as extracts 

• Commercially available solutions that are effective at low pH (<4.0) 

The ultimate goal is to replace synthetic preservatives and chelating agents with non-artificial alternatives that meet PepsiCo’s clean-label and functional requirements. 

Reward

Successful applicants may engage with PepsiCo through a typical supplier relationship. While development partnerships are not currently the focus, they may be considered if no suitable natural chelating agents are identified. 

Timeframe 

• Deadline for Submitting Proposals: No specific timeline 

Who can apply   

Applicants with commercially available solutions that meet the outlined criteria. 

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.