)
The EIT: European investment in now and in the future
1
June
2020
Colruyt Group is constantly working on a future that is more sustainable and healthier. We do this together with our partners by finding solutions that are beneficial for the whole of society. That is why we invest in EIT Food, EIT Health and EIT Urban Mobility. Three initiatives of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). Those investments put us at the very forefront of innovators.
The EIT is an institute of the European Union that promotes open innovation and entrepreneurship. How? By bringing together Europe's leading businesses, universities and knowledge institutions to try and find solutions to pressing global challenges. This cross-fertilisation between top experts accelerates innovation. Colruyt Group invests in projects that are at the heart of our business: sustainable food, mobility and health. In that way, our expertise is bundled with that of our partners, resulting in effective solutions that can make a difference to tomorrow's world.
A new, more sustainable food chain
Within the EIT, our largest investment currently goes to EIT Food, which brings together more than 50 leading partners and 30 start-ups. Together we are working on the modernisation and sustainability of the food chain. One of our current projects is PERFECT, which is all about reducing sugar in food products. There are currently no sweeteners that offer all the physicochemical properties of sugar for making food products. In this project, we are working on a plant-based substitute for sugar, for use in our house-brand biscuits.
In addition, we are also actively involved in the ‘See and Eat’ project, which examines how you can familiarise young children with (green) vegetables they don’t usually like to eat. The project introduces children to vegetables visually via photos in booklets and on tablets, motivating them to try and get used to eating them.
Strong solutions for mobility
Mobility is also important to us. That is why we started investing in EIT Urban Mobility in 2019. We launched a project for quiet and clean deliveries to city supermarkets. This means less noise pollution for local residents and results in more sustainable cities. To make loading and unloading quieter, for example, we are trying out adapted logistic infrastructures such as quiet transport trailers, low-noise pallet trucks and covered loading docks at the stores. We are also conducting tests with 100% electric tractors and hybrid vehicles.
Read more here
Healthier lifestyles
Finally, Colruyt Group is also a member of the EIT Health innovation community, which focuses on health promotion and disease prevention. In the ‘STOP MetSyn’ project of EIT Food and EIT Health, we help drive the research into the prevention of pre-metabolic syndrome in Europe. The symptoms of this particular syndrome are associated with an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise and are often a precursor to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, it is reversible, via diet and exercise for example. The project helps people develop healthier lifestyles.
Initiative supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This European Union body receives support from Horizon 2020, the EU framework programme for research and innovation. EIT is not liable for the use of this information.
With this initiative, we contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
