Pioneer Award

Dr. Sara F. Marquart and Dr. Maximilian Marquart have demonstrated with their company, Planet A Foods GmbH, founded in 2021, that ecological and social responsibility, economic profitability, and premium taste quality can go hand in hand. Their patented process enables the production of ChoViva, the world’s first 100% cocoa-free chocolate. This groundbreaking innovation combines sustainability with the highest taste standards and represents a technological leap forward in the food industry—particularly in the confectionery sector.

ChoViva is made from regional, natural ingredients such as oats and sunflower seeds through a fermentation-like process. The result is a chocolate product that closely resembles traditional cocoa-based chocolate in taste and aroma but comes with a significantly lower environmental footprint. Compared to conventional chocolate, ChoViva’s production reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 80%. The product also sets new benchmarks in water consumption, achieving a 94% reduction while containing 30% less sugar. With a climate footprint of just 1.5 kg CO₂e per kilogram, ChoViva is far below the average of conventional chocolate, which is around 19 kg CO₂e per kilogram.