HRK 10.8 million for the new beverage by Cedevita is funded by the EU and 20 researchers will be working on the project.

Atlantic Grupa and the Ruđer Bošković Research Institute (IRB) will join forces in the HRK 19 million project and work together on developing the Cedevita Functional OTG ('on the go') beverage, poslovni.hr reported on July 18.

HRK 10.8 million for the new beverage by Cedevita will be funded by the EU, and 20 researchers will be working on the project. Presenting the project at the Institute, Atlantic Grupa CEO Emil Tedeschi pointed out that Cedevita "is one of the three most important brands that customers buy and love from Slovenia to Macedonia."

"This represents a breakthrough in our product development thanks to the collaboration with the experts from the most prominent scientific institution in Croatia, the Ruđer Bošković Institute, and we have managed to get an EU grant, a practice that we would like to see happen more often in Croatia," said Tedeschi.

Nevenka Vrač, Director of Cedevita Research and Development Department, said the product was intended for consumption on-the-go, i.e. a group of consumers who buy food for immediate consumption and like trendy products. Cedevita Functional will have a new package and cap and a greater recycling potential, with half the amount of sugar than Cedevita currently has.

The interdisciplinary research team of IRB and Cedevita, consisting of 20 scientists, chemists, molecular biologists and biomedicines in three separate modules for analysing and creating a formula for the new product, will participate in the project.

"Collaboration with one of the most recognisable Croatian brands and the entire Atlantic Grupa s the best way to demonstrate the importance of using modern technology and equipment that the IRB has, as well as the rich knowledge and expertise of our scientists, in developing new products," said IRB Director Tome Antičić. He added that the Institute gives a strong contribution to the overall economic development of Croatia, and creating better connections with the country's economy is one of the Institute's main goals.

Deputy Prime Minister Martina Dalić said at the presentation that the project was an example of good cooperation between the economy and the scientific community in developing innovations.

"As far as the total available funds of EUR 100 million for the project are concerned, 15 funding decisions have been made so far. Four more projects are being prepared, so I expect HRK 260 million out of EUR 100 million to be distributed by the end of this month," Ms Dalić said.