The research project led by Dr. Marcel Hövels and Dr. André Neff took part in an exclusive pitch event organized by Südzucker AG, Europe's largest sugar producer, on 28 November. Südzucker AG provides comprehensive support for innovative projects and was recently presented with the “EIT Food Corporate Startup Collaboration Award” at the Next Bite in Rome. The exchange initiated by EIT Food at the Belgian company site in Tienen gave participants in the EIT Food Entrepreneurship Program a platform for their innovative solutions. Sweethoven Biotech used this opportunity to present the advantages of its fiber-based sugar alternative not only to Südzucker but also to other well-known companies in the food industry. Representatives from the Martin Braun Group, Valensina GmbH, the PHW Group and Coppenrath & Wiese KG took part in the pitch event. Participants at the pitch event were also given an exciting insight into the laboratories of BENEO GmbH, a subsidiary of Südzucker AG, which offers numerous sugar alternatives in its portfolio.
Addendum: This section has been revised retrospectively because earlier formulations were misleading and could have unintentionally cast doubt on the scientific classification of Dr. Marcel Hövels’ research work. Dr. Hövels’ transfer-oriented research is conducted exclusively within a scientific, pre-competitive context. No economic activities and no company formation have resulted from these research activities. This can be readily verified by consulting the commercial register. Unfortunately, owing to partially imprecise descriptions in press releases concerning the project and in connection with awards received, an incorrect impression has in some cases been created that the project already constitutes an established company. This possible misinterpretation is regretted. It is therefore clarified that the work concerns a scientific, transfer-oriented research project at the pre-competitive stage.