GERMANY | This February, ISM Ingredients will bring together the leading players in the ingredients industry and present the latest trends and developments for sweet and snack producers.
From the individual recipe to market success, around 80 exhibitors from 27 countries will present a comprehensive portfolio of antioxidant and vitamin-rich fruit and vegetable extracts, vegetable proteins, fibres, and innovative ingredients for flavour, colour, and texture in Hall 10.1, not only promoting healthier nutrition but also offering multisensory experiences.
People who reach for bonbons, fruit gums or chocolate today usually expect more than just sweet enjoyment. The trend themes of naturalness and health are becoming more decisive when purchasing sweets and snacks. Especially, the claim "plant-based" has developed into a quality feature at the point of sale.
The demand for vegan and protein-rich snacks is increasing steadily, and "plant-based" is one of the most recognised and confidence-inspiring labels for consumers, regardless of their lifestyle. At the same time, consumers are searching for new and refreshing taste experiences.
"Those who understand the current trends and invest in a targeted fashion in healthy product innovations will position themselves successfully over the long term in a market with enormous growth potential," said Guido Hentschke.
“Whether products without added sugar, with more fibre and less fat: the call for more healthy sweet and snack options can't be overlooked, according to the Director of ISM Ingredients and ProSweets Cologne, but is at the same time linked with challenges in terms of recipes and process technology."
Global stage for ingredients and raw materials
Together with ISM and ProSweets Cologne, ISM Ingredients presents itself at the beginning of February as the biggest global industry get-together of the sweets and snacks sector.
Whether in the form of energy, boosting or so-called super ingredients, functionality is another megatrend at the heart of the new B2B platform, which is celebrating its premiere this year.
A total of 80 companies from 27 countries are presenting natural ingredients like granulates, powders and whole pieces of fruit and vegetables, plant-based proteins, fibres, as well as ingredients for more flavour, colour and texture on the Cologne fairgrounds.
"With an extensive selection of functional ingredients, the exhibitors set benchmarks in the reformulation process and enable innovative product concepts that harmonise colour, texture and flavour."
Manufacturers can thus achieve better classification with systems for nutrition labelling, such as the Nutri-Score.
The aim of the new trade fair format is to maximise synergies between suppliers of raw materials and manufacturers of sweets and snacks, and to create a platform for innovation and sustainable production.
The market demand confirms the concept impressively: the originally planned areas were completely booked at an early date, and additional capacity had to be created.
In comparison with the previous Ingredients segment of ProSweets Cologne 2025, the exhibition area more than doubled, while the number of exhibitors nearly tripled, with 80 companies.
"With their innovative product concepts and first-class ingredients, the exhibitors of ISM Ingredients promote healthier nutrition and ensure multi-sensory experiences in sweets and snacks.”
Exhibitors and visitors of ISM and ProSweets Cologne can take part in guided tours through ISM Ingredients to get to know the entire range of semifinished products, raw materials, and ingredients, thereby creating promising synergy effects.
Function and enjoyment in balance
Another highlight will be the "Special Show Ingredients – Functional and Climate-Conscious", which will shift the focus over around 200 square metres to new recipes, modern processing technologies and exciting product ideas from all over the globe - selected by the innovation agency, Haute Innovation.
"In addition to functional ingredients and sustainable raw materials, innovative food tech solutions and unusual tastes will be presented that provide new impulses for the sweets and snacks industry," said Diana Drewes, bio-designer at Haute Innovation.
Functional ingredients with natural properties that promote health, drinkable snacks and of course exotic flavours from around the world will also inspire astonishment from protein-rich fruit gums through energising hard caramel with guarana extract to cereal bars with superfruits.
"The top 10 trends show that the markets for sweets and snacks are increasingly concentrating on improved nutritional value and sustainability, powered by consumer demand for healthier and more environmentally-friendly options," added Hannah Dammann, Senior Account Manager at Innova Market Insights.
On the Expert Stage, the knowledge hub for the industrial value chain of the sweets and snacks industry, experts present "Top Trends in Sweets and Snacks Unwrapped". Lectures and discussions on themes such as raw materials procurement, reformulation, or packaging will take place there throughout the trade fair.
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