Articles
Networking and curiosity brought the industry together at FoodTech
arrow_backTo the overview07 October 2024
- 3D Printing Technology
- Work environment and clothing
- Focus on sustainability
- Food Lab
- Trade publications/media
- Professional organizations
- Food Packaging
- Food Processing
- Research institutes
- Hygienic and food safety
- Ingredients and additives
- IT and Data
- Educational institutions
- Water and Energy
Exhibitors at FoodTech highlighted both the many leads generated by the trade fair and the face-to-face meetings that led to both business deals and new collaborations. The IFC International Food Contest was also a success, as was the activity programme, which featured several major innovations.
From Tuesday to Thursday, food industry professionals attended FoodTech, which, with more than 265 exhibitors and an extensive programme of activities, brought the industry together to discuss all aspects of current and future food technology. The exhibitors can hardly keep their arms down after a successful and horizon-expanding trade fair packed with dialogue, sparring, networking, connections, collaborations and deals. All of which pleases Georg Sørensen, CEO of MCH A/S.
- The trade fair has underlined FoodTech's position as the food industry's common meeting place, characterised by the special synergy between three elements - the meeting of professionals combined with high-tech solutions and forward-looking insights, says Georg Sørensen, who continues:
- I am delighted with the exhibitors' feedback on both new relations and the strengthening of existing ones. All in all, the personal meeting once again proves its great value, and I would like to thank the exhibitors and visitors who, together with our many partners, have created three days full of perspectives, professional, personal dialogues and a great trade fair atmosphere.
'It was exceptionally good'
Among the many exhibitors at this year's FoodTech was automation company Scanlox, which attended for the first time and presented two major innovations in the form of an AGV machine aimed specifically at the food industry and an omnimobile AMR machine. And Scanlox certainly demonstrated that FoodTech is the right place to showcase innovative technologies.
- Our new machines were very well received and it was extremely important for us to be able to look people in the eye and learn more about what the customers want. It's essential for us and our products, and we've met representatives from all the major food companies, so we're very pleased. All in all, it has been excellent and we have received an overwhelming number of leads and a really positive outcome - it was exceptionally good and we have learnt that FoodTech embraces a segment that is very important to us, says Jan Jakobsen, CEO of Scanlox.
'Value-adding in every way'
Global food machinery manufacturer Urschel also attended FoodTech for the first time this year and was impressed by the networking qualities of the trade fair. The company, which is particularly known for its food cutting technologies, values FoodTech as a meeting place and goes home with exciting business prospects.
- We were very pleasantly surprised and received more leads than we expected. FoodTech is a great way to get our name out there and we have both caught up with old customers and met a lot of new potential customers. It's important that we have an industry meeting place like FoodTech and our network is significantly strengthened after three days at the trade fair - so for us it is value-adding in every way to participate, says Thomas Baioumi, Regional Sales Manager at Urschel.
IFC organiser: It's been fantastic
In keeping with tradition, the combined IFC International Food Contest exhibition and competition was also part of FoodTech, and with around 1,100 dairy products displayed, there was plenty to explore for professionals and other interested parties alike. The opening and the accompanying awards ceremony was a well-attended success and lasted until the end of the trade fair.
- It's been fantastic, and it's been a great experience and release to see the many participating products on display and being judged. The dairies express enormous enthusiasm for the exhibition and are delighted with the great reception of their products - the experience has been that the many visitors have been curious and focused, which has also helped create a perfect, calm and engaged atmosphere in the hall. In addition, of course, we appreciate the extensive media coverage we have received from local, regional and national media, says Lars Johannes Nielsen, Chief Consultant at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council and responsible for the IFC.
Local winners of the Danish 3D Printing Championship
This year's FoodTech also offered a wide range of events and activities - such as the Danish 3D Printing Championship, which after three intense days of competition was won by Sebastian Chidi Andresen and Max Bursell from Herningsholm, who demonstrated extremely impressive skills in future 3D technologies.
Visitors could also broaden their horizons at the new Global Dilemma Conference, which, with the help of Sebastian Mernild, Professor of Climate Change and Head of the SDU Climate Cluster, and Connie Hedegaard, former EU Commissioner for Climate Action, focused on climate change and the importance of accelerating the green transition in the food industry. Among the many keynote speakers was Sofie Carsten Nielsen, CEO, European Biosolutions Coalition, who presented Denmark's leading position in the development of new technologies and emphasised the political will she believes is needed to ensure that these technologies remain in Europe.
Future Food Lab, the new innovation area, showcased technologies for home production of beer and cheese, while the IFC Water Congress and Water & Energy provided insight into optimising water and energy resources in the industrial sector and an update on Danish strengths in the field of water technology. The Danish Plastics Federation was also present with an informative conference, and the new World of Beer event provided brewers with information on new technological solutions relevant to beer brewing, as well as inspiration for beer and cheese pairings.
FoodTech, the unifying destination for the food technology of the future, took place from 1-3 October 2024 at MCH Messecenter Herning, Denmark, and attracted 7,066 visitors. The next edition of the trade fair will take place from 27-29 October 2026. Read more at foodtech.dk.
