From 1 to 4 February 2026, ProSweets Cologne in Cologne will place the focus on product development and production – the very areas that will decide the future of the sweets and snacks industry. Rising costs and innovation pressure, new demands in ingredients, processes and sustainability are increasingly shaping the industry – long before the products reach the market.

As the only trade fair in the world with a clear focus on the supplier industry for sweets and snacks, ProSweets Cologne brings companies together that significantly contribute towards the competitiveness of the industry with their raw materials, technologies and processes. Together with ISM and the newly established ISM Ingredients, a trade fair alliance arises that covers the entire value chain - from the ingredients to the market-ready product.

In its regular cycle, ProSweets Cologne 2026 is being staged as a compact trade fair format. The exhibition space in Hall 10.1 is fully-booked – no additional stand area is available. The trade fair will showcase the complete spectrum of offers of the supplier industry in four clearly defined theme worlds: World of Packaging Materials, World of Packaging Technology, World of Production Technology as well as World of Operating Equipment & Auxiliary Devices. This clear structure allows an efficient visitor guidance and supports the initiation of business transactions in a targeted manner. 

With around 140 exhibitors from 19 countries and a foreign participation of 69 percent, ProSweets Cologne is underlining its internationality. The strongest participating countries include Germany, Turkey, Italy and the Netherlands. Beyond this, group stands from China and Italy are represented. The high level of internationality reflects both the global alignment of the sweets and snacks industry as well as the growing significance of international supply chains. 

ProSweets Cologne 2026 is also setting a clear signal through the strong presence of leading machinery and plant manufacturers, who are represented with large stand areas. Companies like VEMAG Maschinenbau GmbH, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG, LIVE-TECH s.r.l., Wolf Spezialmaschinen GmbH, SELMI Chocolate Machinery Srl, Rovema GmbH, Kremers Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG and ULMA Packaging will present current solutions for the high-performance, efficient and future-oriented production and packaging of sweets and snacks. 

Once again in 2026, ProSweets Cologne is addressing the key challenges of the industry including the implementation of artificial intelligence and digitalisation as well as the increased demand for sustainable packaging. The Expert Stage serves as the central knowledge hub here, offering case studies, examples of best practice as well as practical solutions for everyday industrial life. 

The programme is enhanced by the Talks & Tasting Stage, the joint stage of ISM, ISM Ingredients and ProSweets Cologne. It is being further expanded in 2026, made even more interactive and will combine product tastings, live podcasts and creator formats. A further programme highlight is the DLG Careers Day on 1 February 2026, which specifically addresses students and young professionals. Here, young talents have the opportunity to come into direct contact with leading supplier companies of the sweets and snacks industry and learn more about career and qualification options. 

Practical Packaging Workshops in cooperation with pacoon on themes like packaging, AI and the EU packaging regulation PPWR, as well as thematic guided tours round off the specialised programme. Furthermore, the ProSweets Cologne Party in Hall 10.1 on 2 February 2026 once again provides the opportunity to network and wind down after the second day of the fair. 

ProSweets Cologne is supported by key industry associations, including the Federal Association of the German Sweets Industry (BDSI), Sweets Global Network e.V. (SG), the German Agricultural Society (DLG e.V.) and the Central College of the German Sweets Industry (ZDS).