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We are a leading company in the cocoa production industry with a robust but complex process to supply cocoa liquor from our production facilities in West Africa to our plants in Europe. Currently, the cocoa liquor is tempered, packaged in 25kg bag-in-box containers, palletized for shipping, and then transported via sea freight (6-8 weeks total, including time in harbors and during shipping). Upon arrival in Europe, the cocoa liquor is unpacked and melted for further processing.
While this process ensures the safe transport of cocoa liquor, several key challenges exist at each stage. Maintaining a stable temperature during transit, particularly during extended harbor stops, can be costly and energy-intensive, and variations in temperature pose risks to product quality. The processes required for tempering, packaging, unpacking and melting are resource-intensive, and the sustainability performance of the current single-use packaging, while recyclable, could be improved. Additionally, the use of many small containers increases the handling steps, which intensify the potential for contamination. The overall process, although functional, also leads to some yield loss, currently estimated at 0.4%, primarily during unpacking.
We believe that a more streamlined, automated, and sustainable approach could not only improve efficiency but also address these challenges by reducing manual labor, minimizing contamination risks, and lowering the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain.
We are seeking innovative technologies or solutions to improve or replace any aspect of our current supply chain (tempering, packaging, transport, unpacking and melting) required for bringing cocoa liquor from West Africa to Europe, which operates at a scale of 10k - 50k metric tons per year.
- Returnable or reusable packaging solutions that reduce single-use waste
- Tempering and melting solutions that prevent sedimentation and overheating, or eliminate the need for these steps
- Automated packaging/unpacking processes (robotic solutions)
- Solutions that effectively replace part or all of the current operational steps (tempering, packaging, unpackaging, melting)
- Innovative materials or coatings for packaging that minimize adhesion of cocoa liquor
- Insulated or temperature-stabilizing materials for shipping containers
- Larger or modular packaging configurations that reduce the number of handling steps, helping to lower contamination risks and streamline logistics
- Maintain product integrity throughout transit, preventing spoilage, contamination, or yield loss.
- Packaging solutions must have a path to approval for direct food contact, designed for high-fat products like cocoa liquor.
- Any packaging solution that is returnable should consider the logistics of returning the empties to West Africa.
- Reduction of single-use packaging material.
- Cost-effective options for cleaning returned packaging.
- Reduce manual labor, improve speed, and minimize yield loss (current estimate: 0.4%).
- Compliance with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Art.29 of PPWR).
- Any solution that requires modification of the cocoa liquor or results in a degradation in its quality.
Our global team includes more than 1,500 research, development, applications, technical services and intellectual property specialists working in more than 200 locations. Together, they provide a spectrum of services encompassing technical service, applications, development, research, intellectual asset management, and scientific and regulatory affairs.
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