Mondelēz champions Food Innovation and Sustainability through collaboration with small companies

USA – In a bid to tackle pressing issues in the food industry, Mondelēz International has decided to use the expertise of small companies alongside its robust research and development team and extensive resources.

The company’s Tech Accelerator program, an extension of its CoLab startup engagement initiative launched in 2021, is prioritizing key areas such as recyclable packaging, low environmental impact, and clean ingredients that contribute to health and wellness.

This year’s Tech Accelerator focuses explicitly on developing recyclable packaging solutions that support premium product offerings.

Additionally, the program targets ingredients that are “free from” harmful substances, aid in sugar and calorie reduction, and provide functional benefits and enhanced sensory experiences for consumers.

 Moreover, sustainability practices such as water reduction, energy-optimized ingredient mixing, and more efficient heating processes are emphasized to minimize environmental impact.

Paula Hemerly, CoLab Tech Program Manager, highlighted the previous cohort’s success in showcasing the potential of collaboration between large corporations and small startups to drive innovation in snack foods.

“Last year’s cohort demonstrated what’s achievable in snack innovation, and we’re already collaborating with some participants to implement their technologies,” Hemerly stated.

Mondelēz International’s commitment to sustainability is underscored by its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with support from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

Christine Montenegro McGrath, Senior Vice President and Chief Global Impact and Sustainability Officer at Mondelēz International emphasized the importance of global collaboration in achieving this goal.

“We’re actively transforming our business and making significant progress, but achieving Net Zero requires collaboration across industries to unlock innovative solutions,” McGrath affirmed.

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. HERE