Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol4-1 > Procter & Gamble

Our corporate open innovation strategy, which we call Connect + Develop, is actively seeking externally developed innovations to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the world?s consumers

P&G is a leading global consumer products company, marketing a portfolio of over 300 trusted brands which include Pampers®, Always®, Ariel®, Pantene®, Olay®, Oral-B® and Gillette®. Eighty percent of P&G brands are number one or two in their respective categories, and the platforms for our future innovation and growth.

At P&G, we?ve embraced open innovation to access the talents and resources of innovation partners around the world, from universities to other multinational companies, and create winwin relationships.

Today, more than half of our innovation pipeline involves external collaborations, helping P&G brands provide improved products or enter adjacent areas. Two of our Connect + Develop stories are highlighted here, but we want and need to do more. And open innovation at P&G works both ways ? inbound and outbound. Making P&G intellectual property and assets available to the outside world is an equally important part of Connect + Develop, and how we create win-win relationships.

Enhancing skin appearance

Expanding P&G brands into ?adjacent? areas is an important source of business growth, and a clear opportunity for Connect + Develop collaborations.

For example, P&G and Syneron Medical Ltd. recently announced an exclusive agreement to develop and commercialise home-use devices and compositions for the enhancement of skin appearance. The collaboration plans to combine Syneron Medical?s patented elo-s® based home-use devices with P&Gdeveloped compositions. The devices will be marketed to consumers under the P&G family of skin-care products and cobranded with Syneron?s elo-s® technology.

A novel home cleaning product

Connect + Develop is helping P&G brands provide consumers with new and improved ways to complete everyday tasks. Magic Eraser, a solution for removing marks around the home such as scuffs on paintwork, is one example. Magic Eraser uses a melamine foam which was first identified by P&G in Japan. P&G then collaborated with the technology provider, BASF in this case, to progress Magic Eraser to first market launch in the US, and subsequently Europe.

Connect + Develop also helped P&G increase speed-to-market. Discovery to Launch was completed in half the time of a traditional ?in-house? product development.

Connecting with Procter & Gamble
Our corporate open innovation strategy, which we call Connect + Develop, is actively seeking externally developed innovations to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the world?s consumers

P&G?s innovation needs Whilst we?re interested in any innovation that can improve consumers? lives, from new materials to ready-for-market products to commercial partnerships, P&G brands have also identified specific solutions that we need to address our current innovation challenges. Innovations to improve product packaging or help grow P&G beauty brands are just two areas where we?re seeking external innovation. A full list of our current needs is available at www.pgconnectdevelop.com.

Why partner with P&G? As category and industry leaders, we believe our brands and company can be an attractive partner in the development and commercialisation of your innovation. We aspire to be your partner of choice, whether you have an innovation to share, or are interested in P&G?s intellectual property.

To help you connect with P&G, our External Business Development organisation is ready to manage Connect + Develop collaborations, from directing your innovation to the right P&G brand, through to fostering win-win relationships for those game-changing deals that meet our needs.

To learn more about Connect + Develop, review our current innovation needs, or submit an innovation to P&G, please visit www.pgconnectdevelop.com.

Alternatively, if you?d like to connect with one of our managers,
please contact: Tom Cripe, External Business Development
E-mail:

Could your innovation help grow P&G Beauty?

P&G Beauty is a leading global beauty company with a portfolio of well-recognised brands created from our deep understanding of colour, fragrance, hair and skin science. Innovation is at the heart of the beauty industry, with a diverse set of consumer needs continuously inspiring new technologies and products. Our global brands are seeking new ways to meet consumers? needs. For example, in skin care, we?re looking for new approaches to achieve smooth skin without irritation, or new materials to diffuse light and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In hair care, we?re looking to improve the conditioning of hair through novel chemistries or approaches that work as either leave-in or rinse-out.

Do you have a solution to our top packaging needs?

Consumers interact with each of P&G?s 300+ brands through product packaging. Whether it?s finding the item for you in-store, or the ease of dispensing in your kitchen or bathroom, winning packaging helps our brands better meet consumers? needs. P&G has important packaging innovation needs in the areas of printing technologies, design and sustainable materials. For example, in the store we?re looking to improve the decoration of packaging to create a visible impact at 2m from the shelf, and at home, we want to make bottles easier to open whilst still securing liquid tightness.

Connect + Develop is already helping P&G brands provide consumers with improved packaging solutions, such as one-use sachets for Olay® Regenerist Eye Derma Pod, or a novel wipes dispenser for Mr Clean®.