Unilever shares ice cream reformulation patents

In a notable move towards environmental sustainability, Unilever announced 9 November 2023 its decision to provide a free, non-exclusive license for 12 ice cream reformulation patents to the global ice cream industry. This initiative follows the successful completion of two pilot projects involving the warming of 'last mile' ice cream freezers.

Fostering industry-wide change

The availability of these patents is set to assist the industry in reformulating ice cream products to remain stable at a warmer freezing temperature of -12°C, as opposed to the current industry standard of -18°C. Unilever's aim in sharing these patents is to encourage the industry at large to adopt more energy-efficient freezing methods, potentially leading to a global evolution towards more environmentally friendly practices.

The journey towards increased freezer efficiency

Last year, Unilever announced its ambition to increase the temperature of 'last mile' ice cream freezers while maintaining the same quality and consumer experience of its ice cream. Subsequent research at Colworth, Unilever’s Global Ice Cream R&D Centre in the UK, and two pilot tests in Germany have shown an approximate 25% reduction in energy consumption per freezer at the warmer temperature of -12°C. This not only benefits the environment but also reduces operational costs.

A collaborative approach to reducing emissions

Andy Sztehlo, Chief R&D Officer Ice Cream at Unilever, expressed his enthusiasm for this next step in increasing the temperature of the company's 'last mile' freezers. By offering these twelve reformulation patents for free and on a non-exclusive basis, Unilever hopes to benefit colleagues and partners throughout the ice cream sector. The company believes that collaborative efforts are essential to reduce emissions across the industry while continuing to deliver high-quality ice cream products.

Impact and future goals

Retail ice cream freezers account for 10% of Unilever's greenhouse gas footprint across the value chain. The company's Climate Transition Action Plan outlines its roadmap to achieve its climate goals, including reaching net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2039. Additionally, Unilever aims to halve the emission impact of its consumer-use products by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. Regarding ice cream freezers, this includes reducing energy consumption through innovation in key technical components (like compressors), exploring programs for powering freezers with renewable electricity, and the initiative to 'warm up' freezers.

Patent applications and industry collaboration

The international applications for these patents have been published today, inviting industry partners to engage with this significant development. Interested parties can contact [email protected] for more information on obtaining a license, opening doors for a concerted effort to reduce the environmental impact of the ice cream industry.