Nine significant trends stood out at Sial China within the food processing industry.
Firstly, green food processing emphasises using renewable resources, minimising waste, and reducing energy consumption. Techniques like freeze-drying, high-temperature short-time processing, and decaffeination have already transformed the industry, with innovations expected to follow suit.
These approaches guarantee enhanced food quality and minimise harmful chemicals and preservations by leaning into natural processes.
Brands such as the US-based startup Bioveritas harness green food processing, focusing on upcycling underutilised plant-based byproducts from the food industry.
The trend of food waste management has also surged due to the importance of addressing the challenge of discarded food and transforming it from an environmental liability into a resource.
The benefits of food waste management in the food processing industry include supporting a sustainable environment and driving economic efficiency.
Canadian startup Syker Systems engineers solutions as alternatives to landfills, offering an adaptable system that addresses food waste issues with an emphasis on environmental responsibility.
Alternative proteins were a recurring theme in early 2024 due to their ability to offer consumers sustainable and ethical choices. Research highlights their nutritional equivalence to traditional proteins, and as global diets evolve, food industries adapt by integrating these innovative protein sources.
Estonian startup FUNKI jumped onto this trend early, offering protein products derived from mycoprotein, a protein-rich fungus. This ingredient choice ensures that consumers receive a healthy source of protein that aligns with environmentally conscious choices.
The fourth major trend observed was the use of food processing robots that ensure precision and consistency in once labour-intensive tasks.
Robots can pick, sort, and package products, ensuring uniformity in cutting, slicing, and dicing tasks. They can also manage large-scale mixing, cooking, and frying, while in meat processing, the robots assist in deboning and butchering.
Plant-based food, a common theme that has returned yet again, will continue to take precedence in 2024. Due to rising climate change conflicts, customers find that shifting to plant-based food offers a tangible solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, they cater to a growing consumer base keen on health and wellness.
Thai startup Plant Origin Food offers Exx, a plant-based egg powder that is tasty and affordable. The startup’s product promotes a protein content equivalent to a traditional egg per serving.
AI and Analytics are a rapidly growing category. AI systems monitor and adjust processing parameters in real-time, ensuring consistency, reducing waste, and enhancing the overall quality of the final product.
Chinese startup Levinthal builds AI-driven protein designs in hopes of understanding protein co-evolutionary patterns. This will address significant societal challenges, including environmental protection and medical advancements.
The clean labels movement has grown from simplified ingredient lists to a process that integrates ethical sourcing, sustainability and transparent packaging techniques. Products with clean labels will help consumers identify the environmentally conscious journey from production to consumption.
Transparency around clean labels helps build strong customer trust through honesty and openness.
3D food printing was also popular, employing digital models to craft intricate, layered food structures. 3D food printing allows manufacturers to cater to specific needs, such as low-sugar or high-protein.
Germany-based startup Mycusini specialises in 3D food printing. It uses Mycusini 2.0 to allow users to craft intricate chocolate designs easily.
Food fortification was another food processing trend for 2024. Food fortification is the addition of essential micronutrients to foods to address deficiencies. The chosen method of food fortification often depends on the food type and desired outcome, with quality control being paramount.
Indian startup Vitaliz Biosciences focuses on this trend, specialising in producing specialty nutritional ingredients such as enzymes and omega fatty acids.
All nine of these trends are expected to rise throughout 2024, with global brands harnessing the power of technology to benefit their products.
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