Duas Rodas’ innovation project won second place in the Innovative Project category of the Santa Catarina edition of the Inova Talentos 2024 Award, an initiative by Instituto Euvaldo Lodi (IEL/SC), which aims to stimulate the involvement and performance of scholarship fellows and tutors in innovation journeys, value the participants of the work and the results achieved. It also aims to inspire new scholars, tutors and companies to manage collaborative innovation and carry out projects that have an impact on people, companies and society, maximizing the motivation of young talents and their retention by companies.
The recognition was announced at a ceremony on August 21, during the IEL Summit, held in Joinville (SC).
The initiative, which began in August 2023, addresses the feasibility study for the development of new products from fermentation and enzymatic bioprocesses.
Conducted by Inova Talentos Program fellow Tathiane Ferroni Passos, PhD in Chemistry from USP, the project is mentored by Salvelino Nunes, Research Manager and Advanced Technologies, and coordinated by Iselde Kelbert, Flavor Manager at Duas Rodas.
With a focus on healthiness, the project aims to promote the development of a biotechnological solution that is low in salt, does not contain allergens and ingredients of animal origin, and is non-GMO, allowing clean labeling to be applied. “At the same time, we are working on a unique sensory profile, capable of intensifying the perception of umami taste in a more natural way, without the need to add monosodium glutamate”, says the researcher.
Salvelino points out that Duas Rodas has been expanding investments in the development of innovative ingredients based on bioprocesses that include appeals for naturalness and conscious indulgence, growing movements in the food market. The expectation is that the study conducted by researcher Tathiane will result in innovative solutions and the expansion of the company’s portfolio of ingredients produced by biotechnology, integrating the Taste Full Technologies platform, which brings together technologies that connect the food industry to consumers in search of products with healthier formulations that don’t sacrifice taste and indulgence.
“We started with the biotechnology project, drawing up this feasibility study for the development of new products. The IEL’s search for a professional to work with bioprocesses was a pleasant surprise, since several excellent candidates were considered. We selected the researcher Tathiane, who is conducting the activities in great connection with the internal team and integration with the project, achieving excellent results”, says Iselde.
“As the first fellow via IEL at Duas Rodas, I am very happy with the results of this industry and researcher interaction, opening doors for other professionals to also join the company”, says researcher Tathiane.
About Duas Rodas
Duas Rodas, founded in 1925 in Jaraguá do Sul (SC) by the German couple Hildegard and Rudolph Hufenüssler, is one of the largest manufacturers of flavors, extracts and ingredients for the food and beverage industry. Leader in several segments in Brazil and Latin America, it is present with its flavors, textures and colors in most of the foods consumed by the Brazilian population. With headquarters in Santa Catarina, it has six factories, three in Brazil and three in other Latin American countries (Mexico, Chile and Colombia), six& R&D centers, as well as commercial offices in the United States and China and an Advanced Innovation and Logistics Center in Europe. It employs about 1,700 people and produces more than three thousand items divided into three markets: Flavors (flavors, botanical extracts, condiments and additives, in addition to integrated solutions), Food Service (where it operates with the Selecta, Specialitá and Mix brands in the manufacture of ingredients for ice cream, chocolates and confectionery) and Animal Feed. The company has a team of more than 200 professionals, including highly specialized engineers and technicians, who develop proprietary solutions for both the production process and the creation of new products, often in partnership with customers. Key technologies used for innovation include artificial intelligence and big data – both as tools to improve efficiency and to monitor consumer behavior.
