Chocolate that doesn't melt so quickly, energy bars with creatine, praline filling in a real eggshell or chocolate pearls with a liquid espresso martini cocktail: there was once again plenty of new things to discover at the international confectionery trade fair ISM and the supplier trade fair ProSweets Cologne. We took a look around both trade fairs.
Whether sweet or savoury: sweets and snacks are popular. The range is wide and because there are many individual requests, production must be flexible and efficient. However, rising cost and innovation pressure, new requirements for ingredients, processes and sustainability are increasingly characterising the industry - long before products are available in stores. At ProSweets Cologne this year, around 140 exhibitors showcased the latest solutions for the production and packaging of confectionery and snacks, including machine and system manufacturers such as Vemag, Rovema, Kremers, Ulma, Seydelmann, Wolf and Selmi.
For example, Rovema brought its BVC 250 Candy flow-wrapping machine to Cologne. The machine operates at an output rate of up to 300 pouches per minute, can produce various pouch shapes and is compatible with different packaging materials - from mono and composite materials to paper and paper composites. At the trade fair stand, a packaging paper with barrier from Mondi was processed into a pouch for confectionery, which is folded like an envelope after opening and resealed by simply tucking it into itself.
Ulma Packaging had placed two machines specially designed for the requirements of the confectionery, snack and baked goods industry at the centre of its trade fair presence. The VTC 828R vertical packaging machine for snacks, sweets, nuts and mini biscuits enables Doystyle stand-up pouches with zippers, processes recyclable mono films and can reduce the amount of material used thanks to Plus-Cut technology. The FM 400, a new flowpack machine for MAP packaging, made its debut. With its long-dwell sealing head, it ensures an absolutely tight seal at up to 150 cycles per minute. The IP66 hygienic design, stainless steel housing and low material and energy consumption make it ideal for sensitive confectionery, baked goods and protein-rich snacks.
Current trends at the ISM
Flavour alone is no longer enough when it comes to sweets and snacks. Healthy is the trend with sugar-free products, vitamins and supplements. But surprising textures and creative flavour profiles are also going down well with consumers. For example, one product idea was honoured with the New Product Showcase Award, which specifically addresses the trend towards functional confectionery. The innovative energy bar from Candyglam integrates creatine into a confectionery format suitable for everyday use. The ingredient was previously known from the food supplement sector. The product also surprises in terms of flavour with a combination of natural banana and 70 per cent dark chocolate. The jury praised the successful balancing act between function and enjoyment.
Second place went to Belgian chocolaterie Carré with its chocolate espresso martini pearls, which the jury believes will be one of the major flavour trends of 2026. The product: a fine dark chocolate pearl with a wafer-thin sugar crust, filled with a liquid espresso martini cocktail. 156 products submitted by 90 companies competed for the award.
The heat-resistant chocolate from Ukrainian manufacturer Roshen also caused a stir: It is said to retain its shape, texture and flavour even at high temperatures. The dark version does not melt up to 50 °C, while the milk chocolate remains stable up to 40 °C. Despite this exceptional heat stability, the product fully fulfils the EU and Codex standards for real chocolate. Each piece is produced as a smooth, bite-sized chocolate ball and individually wrapped. The product can even be stored in warm environments such as a car glove compartment - something that is virtually impossible with conventional chocolate.
One of the extraordinary innovations was the Music Lolli Pop from Chinese manufacturer Amos, which transmits music directly into the head via the jawbone when sucked. The singing lollipop is already available in many countries, and now the company wants to conquer the German market.
Something else that caught the eye: candy floss in a cup with an aluminium blank, which the Polish manufacturer Candyfloss packs like a lollipop on a stick, promising a better product presentation on the shelf.
The Münsterland-based Gut Springenheide manufactory packs its nougat products in real eggshells in a particularly elaborate way. And to match the NFL Super Bowl, there is a cup filled with fruit gums and chocolate pralines in the shape of a football helmet, produced by the German company Windel.
Simply eye-catching: vegan, fair-trade chocolate from French chocolate manufacturer Bennetto Natural Foods in elaborately designed packaging. The motifs: birds from the countries of origin of the cocoa, illustrated by Henrietta Harris, who has dressed all the birds in their Sunday best.
