The international confectionery and snack industry has something to look forward to, as Guido Hentschke explains in an interview: from 2026, ISM, the world’s leading trade fair for confectionery and snacks, will be expanded in Cologne to include the new ISM Ingredients platform. Complementing ProSweets Cologne, this will create a central point of contact for suppliers of raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished products a platform that will showcase the entire value chain and provide decisive impetus for the future of the industry.

Sweets Processing: As Director of the two trade fairs ISM Ingredients and ProSweets Cologne, you know whether and what will change in 2026.

Guido Hentschke: ISM Ingredients is already proving to be a real success story: due to high demand, the new platform has been fully booked since the beginning of October. Additional space is now being provided by ISM in hall 10.1. The enthusiasm is also evident at an international level, especially after Anuga.

sp: How did you manage to achieve this to such an extent?
Hentschke: That's my assumption. Ultimately, the success is based not only on strong international participation from the EU, Turkey and individual exhibitors from overseas, but also on a very significant increase in the number of German companies exhibiting, many of which are returning, such as Pfeiffer & Langen, Ulmer, Stern Enzym and a joint stand by German Sweets, which is appearing for the first time.

sp: That sounds like a lot of euphoria. What will happen in February?
Hentschke: The journey of exhibitor registrations is in full swing: The momentum surrounding the launch of ISM Ingredients shows how great the demand and the potential of this new format are.

sp: So you have lots of innovations in store?
Hentschke: Yes, on a large scale. Voices from the industry emphasise that ISM Ingredients’ focus on raw materials and ingredients represents a significant step forward for the further development of this market segment. Philippe Bernay, Marketing Director Indulgence at Cargill, emphasises that "the industry is increasingly looking for future-proof solutions that balance enjoyment, economy and sustainability. ISM Ingredients is the ideal stage to present our broad portfolio of alternatives to '100% chocolate'”.

sp: The list could certainly go on?
Hentschke: Exberry is also using the new platform to showcase innovation and sustainability: “Every year, ISM is a fantastic platform for innovation and sustainability and we look forward to showing why our plant-based colours are a perfect fit. We are presenting a whole range of vibrant colours and showing how we can help brands avoid artificial colours,” Sabrina Moers, Marketing Communication Coordinator at GNT, told us. And Döhler emphasises the importance of the trade fair for inspiration and exchange: "ISM Ingredients provides the perfect stage to present our sustainable and forward-looking concepts for confectionery, snacks and ice cream. We show how enjoyment, better nutrition and multi-sensory experiences come together harmoniously," argued Stefanie Engel, Market Segment Manager Food.

sp: What is your personal highlight?
Hentschke: New exhibitor Calowry wants to use the trade fair to present its new product: “At ISM Ingredients, we are celebrating the world premiere of our patented chocolate technology, which enables the production of shiny, crisp chocolate with water with fewer calories, fewer carbohydrates and lower costs. At the same time, we use coconut mesocarp fibre made from 100% waste materials, thereby contributing to the reduction of around 50 billion kilograms of coconut shells per year. The Holy Grail of the chocolate industry has been achieved,” explained Kate Wilson, Lead Food Technologist, Calowry Canada. This is an exciting new approach that I personally am already very enthusiastic about.

sp: Then we wish you every success with ISM Ingredients.