Cooperative research and development in the sugar industry

Creation of reliable new process technologies, validation of new equipment and process troubleshooting in the sugar industry often requires long-term research and development (R&D). The latter is especially important due to specific features of the sugar industry, such as the variable composition of feed streams, multicomponent mixtures, little-known interactions between many components of industrial solutions, etc. Such R&D efforts are generally quite expensive and may be deemed unnecessary, especially because of the present difficult economic situation in the sugar industry. Cooperation in R&D programs on strategically important projects is believed to be an efficient tool to guarantee future development of the industry. Joint efforts of different research centers will ensure the best quality R&D and the best return on investment for industrial partners. The cooperation of several sugar producers and equipment manufacturers on the development of the new raw juice purification project is used as an example of a successful research program. The benefits and drawbacks of joint R&D programs are addressed.