INDUSTRY NEWS Fi Europe 2026 Innovation Awards finalists announced
Fi Europe has revealed the finalists for its 2026 Innovation Awards, recognising developments shaping the food and beverage ingredients industry. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Messe Frankfurt on 17 November. Selected from 133 global
submissions by an 11-member expert panel led by Professor Colin Dennis, chair of the Board of Trustees at IFIS Ltd, the finalists span eight categories. New
for 2026 is the
Alternative Protein Innovation Award, reflecting growing interest in protein sources including plants, fungi, algae and microbes. Finalists include Bunge’s PurePro® soy protein concentrate, dsm-firmenich’s Vertis™ TVPs with ModulaSENSE® and Lallemand Bio-Ingredients’ Engevita® HiPRO Beyond. Other categories include Dairy Alternative, Food
Manufacturing, Future Foodtech, Health, Pet Food & Nutrition, Plant-based and Sustainability Innovation. Confectionery and food manufacturers may find particular
interest in the Plant-based category, featuring GNT Group’s technology for stabilising spirulina to deliver natural blue colours in beverages, and Zentis’ thermostable popping bobas. The Sustainability shortlist includes Tereos’ Cultivate Net Zero®, a low-carbon and regenerative agriculture ingredients
ISM Middle East connects global sweets and snacks brands with Dubai buyers
ISM Middle East 2026 will welcome more than 250 exhibitors from over 40 countries to Dubai World Trade Centre from 3–5 November, connecting international confectionery and snack manufacturers with buyers across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (APMEA). With regional sweets and snacks sales projected to exceed US$400 billion in 2026, the event will showcase confectionery, chocolate, biscuits, cakes, snack foods and desserts, with international exhibitors accounting for 86% of participation. Innovation will reflect evolving consumer priorities, including
protein-enriched treats, lower-sugar products, premium portions and bold flavour combinations. Mark Napier, vice president of ISM Middle East at InD, said the
event will help manufacturers and buyers establish commercial relationships, explore new products and identify opportunities across APMEA markets ahead of 2027.
OCTOBER 2026 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 7
offer, alongside initiatives focused on responsible coconut oil sourcing and transport decarbonisation. Yannick Verry, Fi Events brand director at Informa Markets,
said the awards highlight collaborative innovation addressing industry challenges and unlocking new opportunities.
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