Food and Beverages

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: 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.