ProSweets Cologne 2025 has set a strong statement in the supplier industry for sweets and snacks with a significant 23% increase in the number of visitors, measurable business success and innovative formats. The trade fair has positioned itself as a trendsetter in a challenging global market with a European-wide leading content programme.
“The results of our visitor survey and the strong figures of ProSweets Cologne 2025 are sending a clear signal: ProSweets Cologne’s concept works – as a platform, as a network, as an innovation driver,” summed up Guido Hentschke, Director of ProSweets Cologne. “A selective combination between high-quality content, tailor-made matchmaking formats and strategic synergies with ISM are what make the difference.”
Success factors for 2025: Networking, innovation, growth
Over 23% more visitors compared to last year, a high number of business transactions sealed directly on-site and measurable satisfaction: 70% of the respondents assessed the trade fair positively overall, 88% would unreservedly recommend it. The active business matchmaking approach, which brought producers together with suppliers in a targeted manner, was particularly positively appraised. In 2025, the key formats included Lab5 by ISM, which as an innovation hub brought additional dynamics into the trade fair happenings, as well as the new joint Expert Stage and Sweet Week Talks & Tasting Stage, which has established itself as a platform for interactive lectures, start-up pitches, live tastings with creators, workshops and live podcasts. The spatial proximity to ISM, the thematic interlinking and the active networking were highlighted to be a decisive advantage by both the exhibitors and visitors alike.
ProSweets Cologne will also rely on the trusted formula for success next year – with important enhancements: Lab5 by ISM remains incorporated in Hall 10.1, the stage format will be continued and expanded to include new theme clusters. With the introduction of ISM Ingredients from February 2026 onwards, the growth section raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished products is moving even closer to the ISM producers – as an independent trade fair format that promotes the synergies between suppliers and manufacturers in a targeted way and consistently pushes the positive upward trend of ProSweets Cologne as a platform for forward-looking developments.
Strong booking status: Top-class market players have already registered
The registration status after the end of the early bird phase demonstrates that the industry is prepared to join us on the road to success. Renowned companies such as Vemag Maschinenbau GmbH, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG, Hänsel Processing GmbH, Wolf-Spezialmaschinen GmbH, SELMI CHOCOLATE MACHINERY SRL, Rovema GmbH (Maschinen- und Anlagenbau), have already confirmed their participation, from the packaging machines segment among others LIVE_TECH s.r.l., ErgoPack Deutschland GmbH, ULMA Packaging S.Coop., Kremers Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG and once again Rovema GmbH as well as a Chinese group stand have also already confirmed their attendance. From the packaging materials and solutions section applications have already been received from among others PAPACKS Sales GmbH, FrontPac AB, SOPP Industrie GmbH, Esbe Plastic and Idealplast di Ivano Sironi.
Industry trends under focus: Sustainability, AI, resilience
In terms of contents, ProSweets Cologne 2026 is addressing the industry’s most urgent challenges and fields of innovation. Sustainable and AI-supported technologies, forward-looking ingredients and modern processing solutions are the centre of attention. Global tensions and their impact on the industry – such as the availability and quality of raw materials like sugar and cocoa – will be thematised. Furthermore, resilient supply chains, material innovations and the future of sustainable packaging will be discussed.
ProSweets Cologne 2026: Trendsetter and pioneer for packaging, production and technology
ProSweets Cologne 2026 remains to be the central meeting point for the international supplier industry for sweets and snacks. With a clear focus on the entire technological infrastructure of the production – from packaging solutions, to processing technologies, through to food security and quality assurance. As such, it provides concrete answers to the technological and economic challenges of the industry.
The next ProSweets Cologne will take place from 01.-04.02.2026.
