TopDutch Innovation Challenge: UCC Coffee

Are you active in hydrogen management or energy infrastructure and do you have the knowledge and technology to help UCC transition their roastery to run on hydrogen? Want to earn a new client and the chance to present your innovation at the World Expo in Japan?

Then sign up today for the TopDutch Innovation Challenge!

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Come with us to the World Expo 2025!
UCC's challenge

UCC's Challenge

The company UCC currently roasts its coffee using natural gas. In order to continue to produce their delicious coffee through the sustainable transition, this originally Frisian coffee roaster with a Japanese parent-company wants to prepare for a future without natural gas.

UCC wants to transition from roasters running on natural gas to hydrogen. In the short-term, the first step is to make their largest roaster compatible with both natural gas and hydrogen. At first, hydrogen will be used for testing the technology and gaining experience using hydrogen as a fuel. As the price of hydrogen becomes competitive with that of natural gas, a long-term fuel transition will be made.

Do you think you have the technology, knowledge or expertise to help UCC realise the conversion of their roaster? Then apply to the TopDutch Innovation Challenge right away!

In return, you can gain a new, multinational client. And in addition, the winning partnerships will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Expo Osaka 2025 and an opportunity to showcase their innovation to an international audience!

Sign up now!
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Technical details

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The year of innovation

As you read this challenge, are you thinking, "I have the solution!" and want to explore with a partnership with UCC further? Are you able to provide technology, knowledge or expertise that will help them with their challenge?

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Apply

Apply no later than September 15, 2024 by filling out the online form.

Company Visit

After an initial selection by the challenge owners and NOM, we will invite a number of parties to go on a company visit. During that visit, the technical specifications can be discussed in more detail.

Refining the solution

With the parties offering the best solutions for UCC and Kikkoman, the financial feasibility of the solutions will be further explored. Of course, there will be plenty of time to ask questions and refine the solution.

And the winner is...

The final selection of the winner will take place in October. The parties offering the best solution for Kikkoman and UCC - one per challenge - will win the tender to implement the solution.

World Expo 2025

In addition, the winner together with UCC, Kikkoman and the NOM will go to the World Expo in Osaka in September 2025 - at our expense!
There they will jointly present the innovation to a wide audience of Dutch and Japanese companies and executives. The perfect opportunity to find new customers and partners.

About the TopDutch Innovation Challenge

Say 'konnichiwa' to your next innovation partnership

Did you know that amongst our neighbors here in the Northern Netherlands, we can count two major Japanese food manufacturers? Yes, Kikkoman – the famous soy sauce brand you’ll recognize from your supermarket shelves – have a spot in Sappemeer, and the multinational coffee roasters UCC have a base in Bolsward. And, like all TopDutch companies, they love a chance for collaboration.

Both companies have a sustainability challenge they’re facing. They’re working with the NOM to look for a local start-up, scale-up or SME with the right technology, knowledge or expertise to jointly develop and implement a solution to this challenge. Could you be their partner?

In return, you can gain a new, multinational client. And in addition, the winning partnerships will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Expo Osaka 2025 and an opportunity to showcase their innovation to an international audience!

Read more about the TopDutch Innovation Challenge
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Thank you for your interest in the TopDutch Innovation Challenge.

The estimated time required for this form is below 15 minutes. The deadline for completion is the 15th of September 2024.

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Company Details

Challenge Partners

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