ISM promises to set new standards benchmark with Sweet Week
Eingang Süd
Organisers of the major ISM confectionery event in Cologne have unveiled plans for the show’s ‘Sweet Week’ providing a refined focus in showcasing innovations, sector content and offering networking, reports Neill Barston.
According to Koelnmesse, its plans for the annual show between 2-25 February will set a new benchmark in standards for the longstanding industry gathering that has set its stall out to assemble players from all elements of the global industry.
As previously reported, Confectionery Production will once again be on hand a media partner for the global trade fair covering the latest trends, and reporting on new innovations to emerge from the international showcase. Notably, the event has moved to considerably extend its education and interactive programme over its five-day schedule.
GISMO Square
Boulevard Mitte,
Hall 10.1, which creates plenty of room for new ideas and cooperations, takes centre stage at the Sweet Week: Here, the Lab5 by ISM unites ISM with ProSweets Cologne and offers a platform for the New Product Showcase – a special exhibition for the most innovative new products, start-ups, scale-ups, trend snacks and finest creations.
This connection is reinforced by the spatial proximity of Hall 10.1 to the theme worlds Packaging Materials and Sweet & Snackable Ingredients, which act as a central interface between supply and the end product. The Lab5 by ISM is enhanced by interactive formats like the “Live Sweets Creation”, where the production of sweets can be experienced up close, as well as the get-together at the GISMO Bar on 4 February, which makes innovation tangible and promotes the exchange in an inspiring atmosphere.
Stand: Paccari, Finest Creations, Halle 5.2
“The emphasis of ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2025 is on the active dialogue and lending the industry targeted support with today’s most urgent challenges. In the scope of the Sweet Week our diversified programme offers valuable impulses. Through the combination between practical best practices, trailblazing innovations and top-class industry experts, we enable the participants to develop concrete solutions that pave the way into a more sustainable and more efficient future,” said Sabine Schommer, Director ISM.
Guido Henschke, Director ProSweets Cologne believed that the connection between ProSweets and ISM would be great than ever in its scope.
He said: “We would like to particularly accentuate our joint goal of actively pushing the networking between production teams and supplier companies in the scope of the Expert Stage and the Sweet Week – Talks & Tasting Stage, which not only creates a platform for conveying knowledge, but also offers room for a practice-oriented exchange and networking. In this way, we actively contribute towards the sweets and snacks industry remaining fit for the future in a world that is becoming increasingly more digitalised and sustainably-oriented.’
Highlights of the Sweet Week 2025
Expert Stage – Knowledge Hub
On the Central Boulevard, right next to Hall 10.1, the Expert Stage offers first-class input on urgent industry themes such as sustainability, digitalisation and artificial intelligence. The programme will be enriched by the expertise of the knowledge partners, Innova Market Insights and Euromonitor International, and thus creates a well-founded basis for future-looking discussions and practical solutions.
The participants can look forward to interesting lectures like:
- “The Algae Advantage: Revolution of the sweets industry with fresh microalgae” by Dipl. Ing. G. Mühlstädt, CTO ALGENWERK c/o PUEVIT GmbH
- “Sustainable packaging: Packaging for tomorrow” by Manuel Leibrock, CMO of PAPACKS
- “Artificial Intelligence – your new employees” by J. Lauten, founder and CEO of Foodforecast Technologies GmbH
- “2025 Global Consumer Trends: What’s next for Snacks Consumers“ by A. Tique, Senior Research Analyst at Euromonitor International
Die Oberbürgermeisterin Henriette Reker besucht die ISM 2024/ProSweets 2024. Eröffnung und Rundgang
Sweet talk – Talks & Tasting Stage
Innovation and interaction are also melting into a unique experience on the Sweet Week – Talks & Tasting Stage in Hall 10.1. The new format combines knowledge transfer, innovation and interactive experiences into a diversified programme that addresses both industry professionals as well as interested visitors. The latter can taste the latest products on-site and let themselves be inspired.
Further highlights include:
- Insights into future industry trends, i.e. on themes like AI
- Live podcasts with industry insiders like Food Insider, T. Gross
- Workshops on sensor technology and trends by the food expert, Hanni Rützler
- Pitches by start-ups, hosted by the investor, business angel and founder, Robert Kronekker
- Insights into the recycling strategy for the reduction of waste, which opens up sustainable perspectives for the industry and offers a foretaste of the ANUGA HORIZON, hosted by Theresa Hingsammer, Director Anuga HORIZON
Sweet Week Production Summit
The Sweet Week Production Summit, a format that specifically connects production teams with the supply industry of ProSweets Cologne, is taking place for the first time on the Sweet Week – Talks & Tasting Stage at 1:30 p.m. on 3 February. The focus lies on practical examples of Best Practice and innovative approaches for a cost-efficient and future-proof production, especially through the use of AI tools.
The three-minute pitch sessions of the suppliers that will be discussed in depth in a subsequent matchmaking forum in the Networking Area to promote concrete solutions and business relations are especially worth highlighting. Lectures like “AI in food production: Intelligent planning for more efficiency and sustainability” by Maximilian Köhler (Optiwiser AI Solution) or the case study “Production planning of the future” by Norbert Weichele (OMMM Operations Management Solutions GmbH) will provide the industry with new impulses.
The Summit will be rounded off by the ProSweets Cologne Party, which offers the participants an additional opportunity for an exchange and to network in a relaxed atmosphere. The Sweet Week Production Summit thus concentrates on innovation, knowledge transfer and cooperations.
Emotional highlight: ISM distinctions and awards
The awards at ISM pay tribute to excellent contributions and innovations in the sweets and snacks industry and set important impulses for the industry’s future.
One of the highlights is the presentation of the ISM Award on 2 February, which honours outstanding services in the sweets and snacks industry. In 2024, the distinction went to Ekachai Savetsomphob, whose commitment has significantly shaped the Thai sweets market.
On 2 February an expert jury will confer the New Product Showcase Award, whereas on 4 February the Consumer Award distinguishes the public’s favourite. Both prizes honour the industry’s innovative power and set new accents in the field of product development. In 2024, Planet A Foods GmbH was delighted to win the New Product Showcase Award with its sustainable cocoa alternative, ChoViva. The Consumer Award went to the Neapolitan wafer of Ja!, for which the cocoa alternative ChoViva is also used.
