PepsiCo has unveiled the ten finalists for its Greenhouse Accelerator APAC (GHAC) 2025 programme, underscoring its commitment to innovation in sustainability. The selected start-ups represent a diverse array of industries, including waste management solutions, upcycling methodologies, and green hydrogen technologies. Among the finalists are Calyx.eco, an AI-driven sustainability platform from Australia, Endua, which focuses on green hydrogen energy, and several innovative companies from China and Indonesia dedicated to enhancing recycling and waste disposal techniques.
Ashley Brown, PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer, articulated the dual benefits of the GHAC initiative, indicating that it serves as a strategic extension of the company’s priorities in the Asia-Pacific region. “The GHAC enables us to work alongside startups to test, adapt, and scale innovations that drive both sustainability outcomes and commercial value,” he commented in a recent interview. By leveraging local insights and emerging technologies, PepsiCo aims to cultivate a pipeline of innovative solutions that enhance resource efficiency and foster new growth opportunities tailored to regional needs.
The GHAC not only supports PepsiCo’s sustainability goals—but also provides valuable resources to participating start-ups. Each finalist is awarded a grant of US$20,000 and access to PepsiCo’s extensive network of experts and resources, as well as tailored mentorship from company executives. The initiative aims to empower these innovators and offer them pathways to commercialisation, thereby fostering an environment of collaboration that benefits both parties.
Success stories from previous cohorts bolster the optimism surrounding this year’s batch of finalists. For instance, Powered Carbon, a winner from the 2023 cohort, has been working with PepsiCo to integrate their CO₂-based soil enhancers into the company’s agricultural operations in China. This partnership exemplifies how sustainable practices can align with business interests, producing lower-carbon products while enhancing agricultural yields.
Similarly, the 2024 winner, Alternō, developed a sand-based thermal energy storage system that was piloted in a PepsiCo food plant in Vietnam. This innovation has shown potential in reducing natural gas consumption and utility costs in food processing, demonstrating the efficacy of the GHAC in fostering technologies that align with both environmental and economic objectives. Considering these successful alliances, PepsiCo is keen on establishing even more partnerships across the APAC region as the GHAC continues.
Looking ahead, Brown expressed confidence that future collaborations will yield valuable insights and innovations. “Successes like these are helping shape how we approach future investments in sustainable infrastructure across the APAC region,” he stated. This forward-thinking approach reflects PepsiCo’s broader strategic vision of integrating sustainability into its core operations, which is a critical aspect of its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda aiming for long-term resilience and environmental responsibility within the food and beverage landscape.
With a clear trajectory focused on scalable solutions in climate adaptability, circularity, and sustainability, the 2025 GHAC cohort exemplifies PepsiCo’s commitment to nurturing a collaborative ecosystem that champions innovation. The emphasis on ‘win-win’ partnerships underscores a pragmatic approach to sustainability—one where business needs and environmental consciousness can coexist harmoniously.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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