Food and Beverages Technology Calls

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PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

PepsiCo is interested in new methods to delight and engage with regard to promotional activity using existing packaging components such as bottles, labels and closures. PepsiCo connects with consumers in a variety of ways, such as advertising and social media. On a more personal, individualized level, PepsiCo can also connect with consumers via QR codes on labels or via unique codes added to the underside of a cap. Driven by the unique coding, these under-the-cap (UTC) codes can provide access to product or promotional information or can provide entry into a contest. Once redeemed, unique codes will need to be prohibited from further redemption. In order to access the code, the consumer must first purchase the product and then open the container by breaking the tamper evident bands to access the unique code. Often, however, the UTC codes can be difficult to read using either the human eye or with a cell phone camera. The main challenge: the closure base color has little contrast when compared to the UTC text. This results in a decline in consumer engagement and participation. PepsiCo is seeking: 1. Systems or technologies that can deliver a more positive consumer experience by ensuring greater visibility and legibility to unique UTC codes 2. Alternatives to the traditional UTC codes by leveraging bottles, labels or closure technologies that still require consumer purchase of the product prior to accessing the unique identifier. While PepsiCo is primarily interested in technologies that are closer to commercial availability, early-stage solutions may also be of interest, provided a clear development pathway exists.
Seeking novel technologies to enable consumer promotions using existing packaging components

PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

PepsiCo seeks to deliver a world-class consumer experience with its products and that experience begins with the packaging. PepsiCo seeks to identify a variety of new packaging technologies to increase consumer engagement for its global beverage and snack products. Below are some examples of new innovations and technologies that can deliver a different and unique experience for consumers such as: • Smart/interactive packaging o Consumer-level interactions that are visual, sound-based, touch-based o Technologies can be incorporated into caps, labels, cans, multi-pack carriers, etc. or even via vending equipment or an application o Ideal situation is interactive packaging that triggers a positive emotion in consumer during PepsiCo beverage consumption • Premium and/or personalized packaging o Advanced packaging decoration technologies like innovative labels, inks, etc. o Unique dosing methods or closures o Packaging that can create theater at the point of consumption, e.g. like Drinkfinity o Packaging or materials (e.g. coatings) that can keep beverages colder for longer o Other ways of offering consumer customization • User-friendly packaging o Packaging that is easy to open and use for users of all ages and abilities o Packaging that can inhibit or prevent spillage or mess The above list is not meant to be exclusive – if you have a packaging-related technology that can provide new consumer experience, we'd love to hear from you. Technologies that can successfully combine more than one of these interest areas are highly desirable. Please note: all proposed technologies must have advanced beyond the conceptual stage.
Seeking novel packaging technologies to increase consumer engagement for PepsiCo's global beverage and snack products

PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

PepsiCo is seeking novel bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation methods that reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and/or water in the sanitation process. It is very important to sanitize packaging containing beverages intended for human consumption. Failure to adequately sanitize bottles and bottle closures to remove bacteria, viruses, molds, yeasts, and spores may have serious consequences with respect to product quality and safety, potentially leading to negative customer reactions or even product recall. Peracetic acid (PAA) is a commonly employed and highly effective sanitizer, particularly when used in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide. However, PAA sanitation processes involve a significant amount of water throughout the process including dilution, water rinsing of packaging post-treatment and chemical disposal. Globally, trillions of gallons of beverages are bottled each year. While preserved carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) are the traditional leader in market share, other drinks such as bottled water, juices, non-preserved CSDs, and ready-to-drink teas and coffees are gaining in share. New inventions are needed to ensure that these drinks remain safe, while reducing unnecessary chemical and/or water consumption during production. Proposed solutions should achieve the following objectives: •Reduce or eliminate the amount of water used in bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation processes; and/or •Reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals in bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation processes.
Seeking novel bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation methods that reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and/or water in the sanitation process