Director
ProSweets Cologne
and ISM Ingredients
ProSweets Cologne 2026 prepares for an edition focused on innovation, new formats, and the trends reshaping the sweets and snacks industry.
In anticipation of the 2026 edition, ProSweets Cologne outlines how stages, workshops and new formats will connect innovation, ingredients and industry knowledge. In this interview, Guido Hentschke, Director ProSweets Cologne and ISM Ingredients, explains the key developments driving the event’s future direction.
The “Talks & Tasting Stage” returns with interactive formats and live tastings. What role does this stage play in connecting trends, innovation and audience engagement?
The Talks & Tasting Stage has quickly become one of the most dynamic and experience-driven elements of the fair. For 2026, we are significantly expanding the set-up to offer even more room for dialogue, inspiration and direct product experience. Influencers, podcasters and industry experts bring real-world perspectives to the stage and encourage visitors to actively engage in discussions.
At the same time, the tasting formats allow attendees to experience new ingredients, product ideas and flavour innovations firsthand. This combination of sensory discovery and expert insights makes trends tangible and connects the creative, technological and consumer sides of the market in a unique way.
The Expert Stage showcases the entire industrial value chain of sweets and snacks. Which key topics or industry shifts will be highlighted in the 2026 edition?
The Expert Stage acts as our central “Knowledge Hub” and clearly demonstrates why ProSweets holds a content leadership position in Europe. In 2026, we focus on the decisive transformation drivers of the industry: AI and digitalisation in production processes, sustainable and resource-efficient manufacturing, rising raw material prices, reformulation demands and increasingly complex supply-chain structures.
Together with the DLG – a strong partner and conceptual sponsor – we dive deep into technical and strategic developments. Complementary formats such as the DLG Career’s Day and the Guided Tours “Ingredients of the Future” strengthen orientation and knowledge exchange across the entire value chain.
The Packaging Workshops are gaining strong traction among visitors. What practical knowledge and insights will participants take away this year?
The Packaging Workshops, developed together with our partner pacoon, address the fundamental shifts currently reshaping the packaging world. Key topics include the transition from film to paper, the integration of AI into packaging workflows and the practical implications of the new PPWR regulation.
Participants receive hands-on insights into PPWR-compliant packaging solutions, paper-based innovations and AI-supported optimisation approaches. Pacoon and partners such as PwC, delfort and interzero present concrete examples and methods that help companies adapt their processes efficiently and sustainably while gaining a deeper understanding of technological, regulatory and material-related opportunities.
Looking ahead to the 2026 edition, what key developments or goals is Koelnmesse prioritising for the future of ProSweets?
ProSweets Cologne will continue to serve as the central platform for technology, packaging and machinery, supporting manufacturers in enhancing efficiency, automation, digitalisation and sustainability.
At the same time, we see significant growth potential in the field of raw materials, ingredients and semifinished products. With the launch of ISM Ingredients, we are creating an ideal and future-oriented bridge between ISM and ProSweets Cologne.
Integrating this new format into the ISM brand world places suppliers even closer to producers and reflects the growing importance of functional, plantbased and sustainable ingredients. Together, the three platforms provide a truly holistic view of the entire value chain and actively drive the industry’s future development.
With its expanded stages, specialised workshops and the introduction of ISM Ingredients, ProSweets Cologne 2026 positions itself as a forward-looking platform where technology, creativity and market intelligence converge. A renewed focus on efficiency, sustainability and ingredient innovation confirms the event’s role as a key meeting point for shaping the future of the global sweets and snacks industry.
