Special Show Ingredients - Functional and Climate-Conscious

How will we snack in the future? Which functional ingredients, sustainable raw materials, and innovative food tech solutions are driving new impulses in the sweets and snacks industry?

The 'Ingredients - Functional and Climate-Conscious' Special Show provides the answers — a curated trend zone at ISM Ingredients 2026, organized in cooperation with ISM and ProSweets Cologne.

In Hall 10.1, across an area of around 200 m², visitors can explore new ingredients, processing technologies, and exciting product concepts from around the world — all curated by the innovation agency Haute Innovation. The exhibition illustrates how functionality, health, and climate awareness can be successfully combined.

Vegan alternatives – for example, plant-based burger patties made possible by mushroom fermentation technology, as well as umami elixirs derived from algae

Innovative and sustainable ingredients – such as coffee alternatives made from peas, cocoa substitutes produced from beer pomace, or juice extracted from cocoa pulp

Functional foods – with natural health benefits, including plant-based salt or sweeteners made from green pine cones

Food tech trends – ranging from cultured meat to sustainable fish alternatives developed in the laboratory

Focus on start-ups – young companies presented their groundbreaking ideas and products

This special area provided inspiration for product development, innovation strategies and the sustainable selection of raw materials – while highlighting how Gen Z consumers were reshaping markets with their strong focus on sustainability, health and openness to experimentation.

Visitors experienced the future of ingredients live at ISM Ingredients 2026.