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At our company, we faced a major challenge: designing a self-heating food package for on-the-go consumption without requiring a microwave. The goal was to heat the product to 55°C in under 10 minutes while ensuring both safety and convenience.Initial research led to an exothermic reaction using lime and water, but this solution released gas that deformed the packaging, making it unsuitable. Alternative approaches needed to be explored to achieve a controlled and safe heating reaction.

To tackle this challenge, an Open Innovation platform was used to quickly identify credible solutions and connect with experts who could support the project. In less than two months, this approach made it possible to explore the state of the art, identify four viable solution families, analyze relevant scientific publications and patents, and engage with over 100 global experts, reaching out to 36 of them. In-depth discussions were conducted with three expert groups in France and the United States.

This collaborative effort ruled out the initial solution and led to the exploration of more promising alternatives, such as reactions based on magnesium and phase change materials to better control heat release. Through this approach, it became possible to access a network of highly qualified experts, identify more effective solutions suited to the challenge, establish a collaboration strategy with a research institution, and significantly reduce research and development time.

The experience was extremely positive. A structured methodology and the ability to rapidly mobilize the right expertise made it possible to move forward efficiently and pragmatically. This type of support is highly recommended for any company looking to innovate quickly and effectively.