The event, which was held on 22-23 November of the current year at the University of Lodz Training and Conference Centre, brought together 50 students divided into 16 teams representing 11 academic institutions. The challenge posed to these young innovators revolved around a current issue: how to shape responsible consumer attitudes in the context of water resources?
By the decision of the Programme Council, composed of 12 experts from science and business (including dr hab. Magdalena Urbaniak, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – Department of UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology), the main prize was awarded to the "Hydrophiles" team from the Jagiellonian University. The students presented a concept using TiO₂ (titanium dioxide). This compound, known for its photocatalytic properties, became the basis for a solution that could contribute to water conservation and recycling in households. The winners received a financial prize of PLN 10,000 and access to a dedicated development programme from Foodtech.ac, which provides comprehensive support in the implementation and commercialisation of their idea.
The high level of expertise meant that the organisers had to face a difficult choice. Originally, the regulations stipulated two awards, but Nestlé Polska, as the event organiser, decided to award an additional team. Awards were presented to three teams whose concepts also aligned with the theme of responsible water management. Students from Warsaw University of Technology proposed a smart aerator that automatically regulates the flow, reducing water consumption. A team from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin developed an online platform to help reduce food waste and, consequently, the water used in its production. Students from the Poznań University of Life Sciences presented a concept for an innovative corn dryer that recovers, among other things, steam, thereby reducing raw material losses and resource consumption.
IDEATHON is one of two key initiatives in the second edition of the #NestleForScience programme, which aims to build bridges between academia and business. The Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz was one of the key partners of the event.
The event attracted students from leading Polish universities, including Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, University of Opole, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Bialystok University of Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
The projects gained the support of the best industry authorities and were assessed by the Programme Council chaired by Aleksander Wasilewski (President of Nestlé Polska), which included, among others, Prof. Krystyna Gutkowska (SGGW), Prof. Tomasz Okruszko (SGGW), dr hab. Magdalena Urbaniak, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz (University of Lodz), Prof. Katarzyna Przybyłowicz (UWM), Prof. Magdalena Rudzińska (Poznań University of Life Sciences); Prof. Anna Dąbrowska (SGH), Dr Adam Perz (Hydroni Foundation); Michał Mądry (Foodtech.ac) and Nestlé experts – Tomasz Korytkowski (Member of the Management Board, Director of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and ESG), Blanka Mellova (Coordinator of the #NestleDlaNauki Program), Agata Kruszec (Sustainability Manager) and Rafał Wróblewski (Business Executive Officer Nestlé Waters in Poland).
IDEATHON is just the beginning of the programme's second edition. The call for the grant competition, open to undergraduate and doctoral candidates who wish to conduct in-depth analyses of water resource protection in the food system, will open in early 2026.
More information about the programme
Source and photos: Nestlé
Edit: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz)
