Background
Mondelez International is a global snack food and beverage company. Formed in 2012 as a spin-off from Kraft Foods, Mondelez specializes in producing popular snacks, including iconic brands like Oreo, Cadbury, Toblerone, BelVita, Trident, and Club Social. Operating in over 150 countries, Mondelez focuses on empowering consumers with “snacking made right” by balancing taste, sustainability, and convenience. The company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability has solidified its place as a leader in the global snacking industry.
Challenge
Mondelez are seeking innovative cost reduction solutions for acids & citrates spend area used in powdered beverages, gelatin, candies and gums.
Mondelez are looking to find cost reduction solutions in 3 different areas for Acids & Citrates Spend Area:
1. Optimal balance between acid (citric/fumaric/malic) and citrate (sodium/potassium) - examine if we can achieve an acid and citrate balance that would allow us to use the same solution across all powdered beverages, gelatin, candies, and gums portfolio.
- We have already tried to find an optimal balance, but differences were found that affected the sensory profile.
- We would like to know if there is a kind of chemical reaction and or taste stimuli that could help us achieve this also to prevent significative differences in the sensory profile.
2. Investigate if there is any substitute for citric acid or sodium citrate with a more advantageous cost in use (CiU) that could provide us with a cost benefit
3. Balance the substitution of citric acid with another acid, e.g., fumaric acid, which could also reduce the need for anticaking agents.
Our main gain is cost reduction without affecting the flavor profile.
Key success criteria:
- Cost reduction
- Maintain the current sensory profile in the final products.
- No changes to the production processes. Preferably, the solution should be presented in powder form.
What's in it for you?
This is a global Challenge and Mondelez is willing to collaborate with both individuals freelancers, other industry participants, universities etc. Mondelez will have internal review of all applications once challenge has closed.
Successful applications will then be contacted.