Inside CSM Ingredients’ Open Innovation Strategy to Accelerate Better-For-You and Planet-Friendly Foods

At CSM Ingredients, innovation isn’t just about what happens in the lab, it’s about what makes it to the market.

With a legacy rooted in ingredient science and a future built on agile partnerships, we catch up with Christian Sobolta, Managing Director, and Emanuele Pizzigalli, Chief Research and Innovation Officer to get the inside track on how they are driving real-world impact through open innovation.

More Than an Ingredient Company

Blending scientific precision with market intuition, CSM Ingredients turns bold food innovations into scalable, real-world solutions.

“At CSM Ingredients, we’re not only deeply knowledgeable in the science of ingredients, we also understand how to apply them across complex food matrices,” says Emanuele Pizzigalli, CSM Ingredients’ Chief Research and Innovation Officer. “We understand what the market needs and have both the tools and the reach to deliver on those needs.”

That dual focus led to Generate, CSM’s open innovation hub, which scouts, supports, and co-develops with early-stage innovators across the globe in a truly agile and visionary way.

“Through the Generate program, startups gain insights into real-world customer needs such as competitive positioning, packaging or pricing considerations, as well as access to CSM’s network of partners and clients across more than 120 countries,” adds Christian.

Open Innovation in Action

“Open innovation isn’t a buzzword for us, but an operational mindset,” says Christian Sobolta, Managing Director of CSM Ingredients. “By harnessing the power of our Open Innovation network of partners across several countries, we can provide unique knowledge and insights about what the market wants, and that gives us the ability to integrate innovation in a way that’s both pragmatic and effective.”

This strategy is built on two pillars: the deep skills they continuously cultivate in their global Innovation Centers, and the collaborative power of their Open Innovation ecosystem.

Startup Successes Powered by Co-Creation

One example? Their partnership with Italian startup Heallo, whose flagship innovation JAXplus® offers a glycemic stabiliser designed to help maintain stable blood sugar levels

“What makes this partnership stand out is the true spirit of co-creation,” says Emanuele.

“Heallo is actively adapting its processes based on our feedback and application trials, while we’re leveraging their novel ingredient to develop next-generation bakery products with low glycemic impact. By combining their nutraceutical-grade technology with our deep know-how in bakery formulations, we're crafting new value-added solutions that we hope to unveil very soon.”

More than just a commercial collaboration, the project reflects a shared commitment to sustainable innovation. Heallo’s use of advanced enzymatic hydrolysis in water to extract fibers from food industry waste aligns perfectly with CSM’s mission to enhance both human and planetary health.

As part of its open innovation strategy, CSM also collaborates closely with startups like PoLoPo, DairyX, Ingrediome and Gavan, helping them validate concepts, optimise processes, and scale sustainably. 

By connecting startups with industry networks and providing hands-on commercial and regulatory support, CSM empowers founders to drive the future of food. 

Scouting Game-Changing Startups

Collaboration is no longer optional but essential.

Working in a virtuous network of partners allows CSM Ingredients to access complementary know-how and different perspectives, accelerating innovation and ensuring they are always at the cutting edge and stay ahead of the curve.

The team doesn’t leave collaboration to chance. CSM works with external partners like Urika Partners to scout startups that align with their sustainability and innovation goals. The selection process is rigorous, guided by criteria like technical viability, scientific rigour, and mutual value creation.

“Startups bring agility, boldness, and out-of-the-box thinking. Established companies like ours bring structure, technical expertise, and market access. When you combine these two worlds together, it’s a powerful symbiosis,” says Emanuele.

Partnering with startups allows CSM Ingredients to tap into new trends faster, test ideas more quickly, and co-create solutions that are both innovative and scalable to bridge the gap between creativity and feasibility, where real transformation can happen. 


Market Access and Positioning

CSM Ingredients brings deep technical capabilities, market intelligence, and access to specialised segments like fats & oils, value-added ingredients of natural origin, and bakery solutions. 

Beyond that, CSM guides startups on how to position their innovations, showing them where their products can best meet current market needs. 

“That’s a major advantage because it’s not just about having a great idea but about knowing how and where to apply it,” notes Christian.

“Ultimately, our role is also to act as a bridge between vision and execution which leads to empowering early-stage ideas with the insight they need to succeed in a highly demanding and fast-evolving industry.”

Returning to the HackSummit

CSM Ingredients is coming back to Lausanne with a clear mission: to meet disruptive startups, visionary investors, and like-minded collaborators.

“HackSummit is a truly special gathering with an open atmosphere. After a great experience last year, we’re excited to return and continue building meaningful connections with disruptive startups, impact-driven investors, and like-minded partners.” says Christian.

Ready to accelerate your growth with CSM Ingredients? 

Here’s 3 ways to get started:

• Hear from Emanuele and Christian at the HackSummit in Lausanne on May 15th when they join the stage to discuss Open Collaboration to scale FoodTech.

• Plus meet them over the 2 days to see how your startup could scale and grow with their expertise.

• Apply to kickstart your journey with Generate, by sending your investor investor's presentation / company deck to [email protected]