Fi Europe ingredients trade show opens entries for key industry breakthroughs
Major combined ingredients trade fairs Fi Europe and Hi Europe, are due to recognise key achievements within industry, as its annual awards return for the 2021 event.
As organisers Informa Markets explained, Startups launched within the past five years are invited to share their most innovative product, service or solution by submitting an entry before 17 September for the Startup Innovation Challenge 2021, while exhibiting companies participating in the event are invited to submit their entries before 24 September for the Fi Europe Innovation Awards 2021.
There are eight categories in the Fi Innovation Awards 2021 for the fair taking place between 30 November-3 December in Frankfurt. Seven of these are open to exhibitors only (online or in-person), while for the first time this year the Future of Nutrition category will honour people from non-exhibiting companies, associations or organisations.
Both the Startup Innovation Challenge and the Fi Europe Innovation Awards are well established and highly prestigious, acknowledging and highlighting ground-breaking innovations – with a number of past winners having connections within the confectionery and snacks industries.
From ingredients, process technology and equipment, to new strategic approaches and initiatives, for many years, the Fi Europe Innovation Awards have honoured pioneering work – yet they always mirror current industry trends.
This year, the finalists and winners will be chosen by a jury of industry experts chaired by Prof Colin Dennis, who is Chair of the Board of Trustees of both IFIS and the British Nutrition Foundation. The winners will be announced live in Frankfurt during Fi Europe and will be streamed online too.
Prof Colin Dennis, who has been the Fi Innovation Awards jury chair since 2019, highlights the role the Fi Europe Innovation Awards play in recognising innovation in the F&B industry: “Innovation in the food industry is vital to its future success. Meeting consumer and market needs, while considering the health of people and the planet, diversity and inclusivity are key drivers for companies. Innovations in processes, ingredients and products continue to deliver nutritional benefits and/ or new sensory experiences. The Fi Europe Innovation Awards recognise the many exciting developments in all these areas and illustrate the pace of innovation in the sector. I very much look forward to working with colleagues on judging the entries for 2021.”
Companies can submit an entry for one or more of the following categories. The jury will give preference to new products introduced within the last two years: This includes The Future of Nutrition Award, Sensory Innovation Award, Plant-based Innovation Award, The Plant-based Innovation Award, as well as The Clean Label & Natural Innovation Award for ingredient processes. There are further categories in health innovation, food tech innovation, sustainability innovation, diversity and inclusion
Furthermore, in its sixth year, the Startup Innovation Challenge is a unique competition aimed at supporting innovative projects within the F&B industry through a specialised support programme tailored to startup’s needs.
This contest is open to all startups with innovations targeting the F&B sector with a focus on:· ground-breaking ingredients/ additives that improve taste, texture, appearance, and/ or the nutritional value of food and beverages, revolutionary processing technologies and pioneering technologies or services that support the F&B industry.
The awards will be hosted in conjunction with Fi Europe combined with Hi Europe 2021, the world’s largest gathering of ingredient buyers and decision makers. Finalists will therefore not only gain global exposure, but also meet key industry players who can help take their innovations to the next level.
All finalists will be invited to pre-record a presentation pitch which will be featured during the online event, as well as to give a live pitch in-person at Fi Europe combined with Hi Europe 2021. The winners can look forward to prizes such as personal mentoring from a jury member of their choice, a booth at Fi Europe 2022 or an Fi Global Insights & Ingredients Network Digital Package to promote their online presence throughout the year. For more information on award entries, visit www.figlobal.com
