Over the last three years, Keoghs Ltd and the National Prepared Consumer food Centre at Teagasc have been collaborating to ensure every new product launch is as sustainable as it is delicious. Find out what happens when Ireland’s most innovative crisp makers join forces with the country’s lead food scientists!
Challenge: Balancing consumer-first appeal with long-term sustainability.
In 2022, Keoghs Ltd. engaged with the NPCF Centre at Teagasc, Ashtown with a clear ambition: to strengthen their product innovation pipeline and ensure future launches were both consumer-driven and sustainable. Rather than focusing on a single project, both teams recognised the opportunity to collaborate more strategically and comprehensively.
Solution: Integrated Collaborative Innovation
A new approach to engagement was undertaken. Instead of working on isolated challenges, Keoghs Ltd. brought their entire team together for a joint meeting with key Teagasc personnel. This collaborative session provided a platform to explore opportunities from multiple perspectives-consumer insights, technical expertise, packaging sustainability, and product innovation.
The outcome of this was the initiation of several dedicated projects over the past 3 years, focusing on
- Sensory Analysis – to understand consumer preferences and optimise product appeal.
- Package Testing – to validate sustainable, fit-for-purpose packaging formats.
- Product Development – to support reformulation and creation of new product concepts.
Impact: Successful Commercial Launch
The collaboration delivered tangible outcomes for Keoghs Ltd, including the successful launch of new products with enhanced consumer appeal, validation of sustainable packaging formats ensuring both compliance and performance, and strengthened confidence in new product launches through evidence backed innovation decisions.
This case demonstrates how a collaborative, whole-team approach with the NPCF Centre can accelerate innovation, build confidence in product development, and deliver measurable business impact for Irish food companies.
