Next-generation Fats & Oils: Closing the Quality, Taste & Performance Gap in Plant-Based Products

• Can you create a fat profile that resembles buttermilk fats?
• Are you working on an alternative to lauric acid?
• Have you developed a natural emulsifier for delicious, clean-label, non-dairy cream?

Upfield, global authority in the spreads category since 1871, and owner of the power brands Flora, Becel, +ProActiv, Rama, Country Crock, BlueBand, and Violife, has partnered with Future Food-Tech to run an exclusive Innovation Challenge at its European flagship summit in London on October 2-3.

Upfield is on a mission to drive change for both people and the planet by providing delicious, nutritious, and natural food that is better for our health and our habitat. It is seeking to collaborate with companies that can help create the next generation of plant-based products!

A market leader in four core categories - Plant-based Butters and Spreads, Creams, Liquids, and Cheeses - the Upfield team is looking for fat and oil innovations for plant-based solutions that replicate and surpass the performance and quality of dairy products. Naturalness is key.

Commenting on the challenge set, Miriam Ueberall, Chief R&D Officer, said: "At Upfield, we strongly believe in partnerships in order to unlock novel technology pathways. We are a global player that leads the Future of Foods, and are committed to bringing great-tasting products to our customers and consumers. We do this by pairing technology with innovation from Day 1, and this is why I am so excited about this Innovation Challenge. I am looking forward to seeing the richness of submissions and wish all participants [the] most of luck and success."

Start-ups and established organisations with breakthrough products or technologies in the fats and oils space are invited to apply before Thursday, August 22, for the chance to pitch in London to a global audience of food industry leaders and investors, and partner with the largest plant-based CPG in the world.

The opportunity?
Upfield will select three innovation challenge finalists to present their solutions live on stage in front of the influential summit audience at Future Food-Tech London on October 2-3.

The challenge winner will fast-track into discussions with the Upfield innovation team, unlocking deep tech expertise in the sector with access to its pilot plant for testing and validation. Together you’ll have the opportunity to explore new applications, brainstorming with Upfield’s expert team on solution pathways and longer-term opportunities.

All three selected finalists will also enjoy PR visibility to the Future Food-Tech global audience and pitch live on stage in the Challenge Final at the summit in London on October 2-3, with complementary passes to benefit from both days of the summit’s networking and insights.

The selection process
Entries close on Thursday, August 22. After shortlisting and review, three finalists will be contacted to confirm participation before being announced on Thursday, September 5. They will then pitch to the Upfield judges on stage at the summit, and the winning start-up will be revealed by Upfield live on stage.

Full details of the Future Food-Tech summit in London including programme and delegate registration are available here