Unlock New Value from Porcine Co-Products
Transform overlooked materials into market-ready opportunities.
We’re on the lookout for ideas that flip the script on porcine co-products—blood, bone, hides, fat, tissue—that once carried low value and overlooked potential. Imagine turning them into regenerative biomaterials, high-impact feed ingredients, advanced packaging, or breakthrough health solutions.
SSR (a Johnsonville family company) and Ezassi are partnering to launch an innovation challenge: help us unlock value where none has existed—safely, responsibly, and commercially.
Whether you’re a researcher, startup founder or seasoned innovator—jump in, connect your technology to the market, and compete for awards and a path to scale.
This is your chance to bring a big idea and turn it into a commercial reality.
Challange Schedule & Prize Structure
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
|
February 3, 2026 |
Challenge Launch |
|
February 3 – April 3, 2026 |
Idea Submission Period |
|
April 15, 2026 |
First Round Winner Selections |
|
May 15, 2026 |
Second Round – Idea Refinement Deadline |
|
June 15, 2026 |
Final Winner Announcement (Second Round) |
First Round
Top 5 Submissions: US $1,000 each
Second (Final) Round Winner(s)
Up to US $10,000*
*Up to $10,000 can be awarded to one team or split among teams based on final submissions meeting 2nd round criteria. Final winner(s) will be selected from the top 5 finalists from the First Round, and based on a “Pitch” session that will be scheduled between Rounds. In order for Second Round Winners to receive a prize, the Pitch must show a marked value-based enhancement from the original idea submitted in the First Round.
Submit Ideas
Suggest innovative uses for bone, collagen, tissues, blood derivatives, casings, or decellularized matrices. Think biomaterials, scaffolds, implants, specialty feeds, or novel material classes—all must be actionable and scalable for SSR’s operations.
Buyer Inquiry
Interested in purchasing products or materials? Share your requirements, timelines, specifications, and intended applications to help evaluate needs, assess feasibility, and determine potential fit across available products and supply options.
Collaborate
Explore collaboration opportunities. Whether you bring expertise, technology, or capabilities, we’re interested in partnerships that create shared value, accelerate innovation, and deliver measurable real-world impact sustainably over time together globally.
Ready to Dive In?
Swine byproducts hold untapped value—but it’ll take creative minds, bold technologies, and strong partnerships to unlock it. Whether you have an early-stage idea, a working technology, or want to team up with others, this challenge gives you a structured pathway to turn waste into opportunity.
Why This Challenge Matters
Existing paths are saturated
Rendering, composting, and standard fertilizers are heavily used and offer limited upside.
High-value niches are underexplored
Think hydroxyapatite from bone, decellularized matrices, blood-derived biomaterials, collagen scaffolds, and more.
SSR has scale + access
SSR brings deep supply, domain knowledge, and interest in strategic verticals.
Support for top innovations
Ideas and technologies selected will receive diligence support, pilot help, and buyer matchmaking.
Flexible entry points
You can engage as an ideator, buyer, or collaborator depending on what you bring.