Applications have opened for the 2026 class of Mondelēz International’s global R&D tech accelerator programme, CoLab Tech. This year’s focus is on technologies to help advance supply chain and agricultural resilience, ‘consumer wellness priorities’ such as fibre and protein, operational efficiencies and sustainable packaging.
Mondelēz says the priorities for this year’s CoLab Tech include climate-forward technologies to protect and supplement the company’s ingredient supply chains – primarily in cocoa and wheat – through high efficiency fermentation technologies and regenerative and emission-reducing agricultural practices; and technologies that enhance energy efficiency, develop sustainable and high-performance materials, streamline operational and cleaning processes, and accelerate R&D with analytical and imaging solutions and preservation techniques.
The programme also seeks technologies that meet consumers’ desire for ‘functional snacks with indulgent taste profiles’ such as increased fibre content and protein, novel fat substitutes, or modifications to sweetness while still maintaining consumer liking; and technologies that enhance snack taste and texture, advanced solutions to extend product shelf life and non-plastic packaging solutions that preserve quality and safety.
The company adds that successful applicants will be mentored by experts across all aspects of the value chain, from commercial readiness to market valuation to proof-of-concept testing, as well as networking, ecosystem building, storytelling and visibility.
Mondelēz states that applications will be open from January 22nd- March 31st to start-ups across the globe who have reached a minimum viable product in their development process and a minimum of five employees. Start-ups with diverse and minority board members will be a plus for selection.
Mondelēz teamed up with DS Smith last year to trial paper tubs for Cadbury Heroes chocolates at Tesco, hoping to reduce virgin plastic consumption at Christmas and beyond. Each pack features OPRL labelling to provide the recycling information.
The company was a finalist in the 2025 Sustainability Awards with its mono-paper biscuit packaging for LU’s Véritable Petit Beurre. The new packaging reportedly reduces virgin plastic usage by 63% per pack in France, Belgium and the UK, and the outer packaging is said to be designed for recycling and FSC certified.
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