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.