After a five year break, iba makes a major global event return

Preparations are gathering momentum for this year’s iba event for the bakery, confectionery and snacks sectors, with a host of innovations and trends set to be revealed, writes Neill Barston.

The global showcase, which will once again be staged at Fairground Munich from 22-26 October after a five year break due to the Covid-19 crisis, will offer a valuable window on core developments across international markets.

As its organisers confirmed, the show will be grouped around 10 topic-based halls, offering a broad overview of specific segments of the industry. This includes packaging technology will be on show in hall B1, while visitors will find the latest in production technology and equipment in halls A1, A2, B2, B3, C1 and C2.

“From sustainability to digital solutions and product quality to industrial performance, we’re really looking forward to meeting with industrial bakers from all over the world to discuss their challenges and introduce innovative solutions developed to support the future of the baking industry,“ states Raymond Nogael, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development at TMG of the French exhibitor, stand B2.150. Furthermore,  artisan bakeries will be on show in halls A3 and A4. Raw materials and ingredients will take to the stage in the neighbouring hall B4.

For  2023, the iba topics will consist of the usual product range and the newly introduced focus topics. These are food trends, artisan bakery, health and sustainability as well as digitalisation, complete solutions and quality management. These topics highlight the most important trends in the industry, combine supply and demand and look towards the future.

This includes examining how food culture is developing, what new products the global baking industry is presenting and what possibilities alternative ingredients offer. In the area of artisan bakery, everything revolves around traditional and modern crafts, vocational training and culture.

In addition, its health topic area deals with eating habits: the need for fresh, balanced, varied and high-quality food is also a key aspect of new business models and aligning the focus on changing customer needs.

Sustainability is another subject focus: themes here include the use of regional and seasonal products, the possibility of ecological packaging and energy- and resource-saving production.

There will also be a section dedication to digitalisation – in which new ways and methods for the baking industry: from process optimisation and automation through artificial intelligence to the possibility of increasing customer loyalty through new sales channels and direct communication.

Lex van Houten, Regional Marketing Manager, AMF Bakery Systems of the Dutch exhibitor, stand C2.110 explains: “We are delighted that iba 2023 is finally taking place again and that we can present our products and innovations on site in Munich. The topic of sustainability is particularly important to us. With smart digital solutions using AI and machine learning, hydrogen baking and electrical baking, we want to make our contribution to a proof future of the baking industry. We look forward to exchanging ideas on these and other topics in October.”

Another focus is on how turnkey solutions are important for production – they can increase efficiency, quality management and also sustainability. Complete solutions from harvesting to the sale of processed food are presented here. If you want to remain competitive on the market, production according to qualified guidelines and standards is decisive. The topic of quality management aims to help respond to deviations and identify potential for improvement.