SIAL Innovation eyes China trends

SIAL Innovation, where food and beverage industry innovators demonstrate their products and also exchange ideas, is now accepting exhibitor applications. The hallmark event is held during SIAL China, Asia's largest food innovation exhibition which takes place on 16-18 May at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (Hall E3). It attracts companies interested in the fast-developing consumer trends in China and the world. Exhibitors are encouraged to register their products on the SIAL Innovation platform before 6 April 2018.

A market with modern tastes

China is driven by a growing upper-middle-class, affluent families, younger consumers, and e-commerce. Specifically, upper-middle-class and affluent families are buying more and buying higher-quality food products; younger consumers are becoming savvier and more demanding, requiring the food and beverage sector to innovate, according to a report published by Boston Consulting Group and AliResearch, China.[1]

China’s consumption on track will add $1.8 trillion in new growth by 2021, and this presents opportunities for the food and beverage sector. To be successful in this market, F&B companies need to understand how consumers evaluate and buy goods. According to XTC World Innovation, 80% of consumers are looking for more natural foods, and 65% prefer to try new textures, sensations and types of food products, while 55% of food innovations in Asia focus on pleasure and 23.6% focus on health.

SIAL Innovation in 2017

In 2017, SIAL Innovation attracted a record-breaking 528 exhibitor submissions, of which 206 products were selected and seen by a jury of food-industry experts. The jury recognized 10 finalists and awarded the coveted SIAL Innovation Awards to:

• Gold - SAPMER from Mauritius for its Sashimi Tuna Filet
• Silver - San Remo from Australia for its San Remo Pulse Pasta Spaghetti
• Bronze - SILK from China for its Silk Original Skinned Walnut

The winners were chosen based on creative package design, quality ingredients, and special recipe. Finalists were also judged on five attributes: pleasure, health, physics, convenience, and ethics.

Past winners have benefitted from increased media exposure and the right to use the SIAL Innovation Awards logo in product marketing and promotional activities. The Winner of the 2017 Gold Award, SAPMER, was also given the opportunity to display their product in the World Champions Tour, a dedicated area placed in all SIAL network shows, including SIAL Paris, SIAL Interfood in Jakarta, SIAL Middle East in Abu Dhabi, and SIAL Canada in Montreal, over a 12 month period for free.

To register for SIAL Innovation, log in to the Exhibitor Online Area, click the SIAL Innovation logo, and fill out the form. You will then be contacted by a SIAL representative.