Fi Europe, one of the leading global events for food ingredients, is slated to take place from November 19 to 21, 2024, at Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, Messe Frankfurt, Germany. In its 29th edition, the event offers a world of taste and opportunity.
The event is expecting over 25,000 visitors from 135 countries and more than 1,500 exhibitors. It will allow attendees to connect with the innovators changing the industry, discover food trends on a global scale, generate more leads with tech-enabled events and enable to join community of F&B tastemakers.
Among other things, a programme of expert presentations will showcase innovation, share insights and foster business relationships. The top exhibiting companies include Cargill, ABF Ingredients Group, Prinova, Brenntag Holding GmbH, Azelis and Fonterra.
Yannick Verry, brand director, Food ingredients Europe & Americas, Informa Markets, said, “We’re excited to be back in Frankfurt for Fi Europe 2024. The event has been growing and evolving with the needs of the F&B ingredients industry and we’re constantly looking for new ways to offer a bigger and better platform for our exhibitors and visitors to connect. This year we have some great additions alongside our tried and trusted favourites that make the event even more unmissable than before.”
“In fact, sustainability will be a key thread running throughout Fi Europe 2024. Our partnership with international civil society organisation Solidaridad is part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Throughout our Fi Europe features and content, we will highlight sustainable sourcing, transparency, regulatory compliance and more.”
New features
Informa is expanding the food technology and solutions area for 2024, dedicating a larger space to solutions that can help food & beverage businesses secure their supply chains and future-proof their operations. Some of the sectors covered are food processing, contract manufacturing, food safety, food science, environmental technology, automation, industry 4.0, agtech and packaging solutions.
This year will also have the introduction of the pet food suppliers’ hub a new area showcasing ingredients and technologies that can support the pet food industry in developing nutritious, safe and innovative products.
Highlights
Verry stated, “Fi Europe’s content programme is always a highlight, with expert speakers offering exclusive insights on the challenges, trends and technologies shaping the food & beverage industry. This year, for the first time, entry to the Fi Europe Conference will be free of charge for visitor pass holders, making this knowledge gathering forum accessible to all.”
On November 19, 2024, the winners of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards will be announced culminating in a glittering ceremony in the evening. Fi Europe Innovation Awards are the food ingredient industry’s most prestigious awards, with nine accolades for the taking. The awards honour the people, teams and organisations breaking new ground and driving positive change in the F&B industry, giving them the credit they deserve for their achievements.
On the same date, November 19, 2024, a Fi Europe Startup Challenge 2024, a unique competition for young companies championing ingredient innovations will take place at the Fi Europe Innovation Hub. This year’s challenge will feature four exciting categories, including the new most innovative foodtech solution plus a special jury choice award for the most innovative sustainable solution.
Pavilions
“There will be a 25+ country pavilions, providing visibility for products and solutions from markets around the world. Denmark, Thailand and Latin America will be among the countries participating in this capacity for the first time this year,” said Verry.
Workshops, seminars and conferences
Exclusive insights will once again be shared at The Future of Nutrition Summit. This special event takes place at the Mövenpick Hotel Frankfurt City on November 18, 2024, the day before Fi Europe opens its doors. Attendees can access the summit with a delegate pass and will hear from industry leaders and visionaries who will give presentations and lead discussions on future trends and developments in health and nutrition.
Topics will include Food as Medicine, AI and Food and Sustainable
Solutions.
Free access to the two-day Fi Europe Conference is included with all visitor passes. During a rich variety of expert-led sessions, speakers will focus on solutions for current industry challenges and immediate opportunities for R&D and product development.
Featuring panel discussions with some of the industry's finest female tastemakers as well as a series of dedicated networking sessions, The Women’s Networking Breakfast Europe will offer unrivalled networking opportunities for both male and female professionals looking for practical solutions and profitable connections. The participants can hear from a selection of the industry’s brightest minds and many of the key stakeholders striving to build a more sustainable food system. The breakfast will take place on November 20, 2024.
Trends in Food Ingredients Sector
In 2024, several key trends are shaping the food ingredients landscape, most notably the demand for products that support health and wellbeing, as well as plant-based alternatives to conventional animal-derived ingredients and products.
The growing consumer focus on health and wellbeing has amplified the demand for products that not only limit exposure to so-called ‘dietary evils’ like sugar, salt, and fat but also offer functional benefits, such as supporting cognitive, emotional, and metabolic health. Ingredient and finished product manufacturers should respond by innovating with active ingredients that cater to these health-conscious consumers and integrating evidence-based nutritional science into their product offerings.
Additionally, the rise of plant-based and alternative proteins continues to reshape the F&B market, driven by rising environmental, health, and ethical concerns. Consumers are increasingly adopting plant-based diets, pushing the demand for tastier, healthier, cheaper, and more sustainable alternatives to conventional animal-based products. Brands should focus on developing and scaling up methods of plant-based food production such as precision fermentation and cell-cultivation to meet this demand.
It is also essential that companies stay informed about regulatory changes, particularly in the EU, which are likely to dramatically impact various stages of the supply chain such as labelling, sourcing, marketing, and product development. Embracing these trends will allow companies to align with consumer expectations and maintain competitiveness in the ever-evolving market.