INDUSTRY
EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Industry Excellence Awards 2026

The Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards celebrate the ideas and technologies making a real impact in the F&B manufacturing landscape. Every year, the awards shine a light on the trailblazing businesses setting new benchmarks in efficiency, sustainability and technology.

This year’s awards span 11 categories, celebrating excellence across food safety, ingredients, packaging, processing, AI and smart manufacturing, sustainable and net zero manufacturing, renewable energy, multisensory innovation and industrial excellence in the UAE.

The Industry Excellence Awards are exclusively open to exhibitors at Gulfood Manufacturing 2026.

Industry Excellence Awards 2026

Shortlisted Companies

Categories
11
Winners announced
3 Nov

AI & Smart Manufacturing Innovation

Swipe to see more
  • Givaudan Suisse SA

    Givaudan Suisse SA

    ATOM 3.0

    Givaudan in-house built AI for optimisation of formulas and recipes

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand A5-28Hall 5
  • KayDee Solutions LLC

    KayDee Solutions LLC

    Smart Pulsed Electric Field Inline Control Tools

    PiCon Sense & Picon Vision

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand D3-18Hall 3
  • Symrise Middle East Limited

    Symrise Middle East Limited

    Symvision AI™ Concept Studio

    Accelerating Innovation from Insight to Product

    Germany

    Visit us at Stand F8-4Hall 8

Best Food Safety Innovation

Swipe to see more
  • Buhler FZCO

    Buhler FZCO

    Nutrex 7 Series

    twin-screw extrusion system with hygiene and kill-step validation built into the machine architecture, turning food safety into documented, auditable evidence.

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C3-18Hall 3
  • Fanar Al Khaleej Trading

    Fanar Al Khaleej Trading

    Shelfex™ RSL

    Remaining Shelf-Life Smart Label

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand F6-4Hall 6
  • GEA Middle East FZE

    GEA Middle East FZE

    GEA Mobile Aseptic Solution

    The GEA Mobile Aseptic Solution combines aseptic processing with mobile bulk transport, helping dairy producers move sensitive liquid products between locations while maintaining controlled aseptic conditions.

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand D1-4Hall 1

Best Packaging Innovation

Swipe to see more
  • Hot Pack Packaging Industries L.L.C

    Hot Pack Packaging Industries L.L.C

    Hotpack Eco Gravity-Lock Flat- Carrier

    An ultra-lightweight, single-sheet die-cut paperboard carrier utilizing gravity-tension structural design to transform flat 2D sheets into rigid, spill-proof 4-cup suspensions in 3 seconds.

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand CC1-122Concourse 1
  • Jokey

    Jokey

    Jokey & circolution

    Bringing Reusable Packaging into Industrial Practice

    Germany

    Visit us at Stand S1-H68Shk Saeed Hall 2
  • ULMA Packaging Middle East LLC

    ULMA Packaging Middle East LLC

    Tight-chicken™

    Automated, Leak-Proof, Cleaner, Smarter and More Efficient Way to Pack Whole Poultry

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C1-30Hall 1
  • Jokey

    Jokey

    JSLB 1090

    Lightweight Packaging Innovation for Dairy Products

    Germany

    Visit us at Stand S1-H68Shk Saeed Hall 2

Best Processing Innovation

Swipe to see more
  • Aasted ApS

    Aasted ApS

    Tanis x Aasted Integrated Candy Bar Line

    A New Standard in Flexible, Waste-Free and High-Performance Bar Manufacturing

    Denmark

    Visit us at Stand E2-30Hall 2
  • Buhler FZCO

    Buhler FZCO

    FINER S Edition 26

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C3-18Hall 3
  • Nienstedt Gmbh

    Nienstedt Gmbh

    Whole-Muscle Texture Chicken Mosahab

    Premium Value-Added Products from Poultry Offcuts and Trimmings

    Germany

    Visit us at Stand S1-G28Shk Saeed Hall 1
  • Buhler FZCO

    Buhler FZCO

    THE LUCENT

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C3-18Hall 3

Factory of the Future Award

Swipe to see more
  • Tetra Pak Export FZE

    Tetra Pak Export FZE

    Factory OS

    AI-Augmented Services for Future-Ready Manufacturing

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand A2-42Hall 2
  • PROMAR PPH Sp. z o.o

    PROMAR PPH Sp. z o.o

    PROMAR Factory of the Future

    Fully Automated Production

    Poland

    Visit us at Stand R-H28Shk Rashid Hall
  • International Aseptic Paperboard Manufacturing L.L.C.

    International Aseptic Paperboard Manufacturing L.L.C.

    ipack Smart Manufacturer 4.0

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C1-41Hall 1

Functional Ingredient of the Year

Swipe to see more
  • DSM-Firmenich

    DSM-Firmenich

    Maxilact® Next

    Faster Lactose Hydrolysis for Accessible Dairy

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C8-28Hall 8
  • PROTEAN INGREDIENTS DMCC

    PROTEAN INGREDIENTS DMCC

    alphamega3™ 550

    High-potency microalgal Omega 3 - DHA engineered for better-tasting fortified foods from MARA

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand B6-28Hall 6
  • SMS Corporation

    SMS Corporation

    PROMIX EG

    Smarter Protein Solutions for the Egg-Based Foods

    Thailand

    Visit us at Stand 821Hall 8
  • PROTEAN INGREDIENTS DMCC

    PROTEAN INGREDIENTS DMCC

    ZestAroma 200LN 01

    Fresher, More Authentic Fruit Flavor That Lasts Longer

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand B6-28Hall 6
  • Ingredion

    Ingredion

    VERSAFIBE® 285

    Fibre Enrichment and Sugar Reduction Without Compromising the Eating Experience

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand F8-37Hall 8
  • PROTEAN INGREDIENTS DMCC

    PROTEAN INGREDIENTS DMCC

    CitraBiome

    Patented Citrus Fibre Functional Blend for Gut Health from Fruit & Tech

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand B6-28Hall 6

Multisensory Experience Innovation Award

Swipe to see more
  • Givaudan Suisse SA

    Givaudan Suisse SA

    Givaudan's Chef Council

    Hot & Spicy Sensations

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand A5-28Hall 5
  • Food Specialities (FSL) & Agrana

    Food Specialities (FSL) & Agrana

    Cereal Burst Pearl

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand D7-4 C7-4Hall 7
  • Fanar Al Khaleej Trading

    Fanar Al Khaleej Trading

    SaltyAroma™

    Cultured Spinach

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand F6-4Hall 6
  • Symrise Middle East Limited

    Symrise Middle East Limited

    A World of Crunch

    Symrise Crunchies Deliver Multi-Sensorial Fruit & Culinary Inclusion Experiences

    Germany

    Visit us at Stand F8-4Hall 8

Non-functional Ingredient of the Year

Swipe to see more
  • Fanar Al Khaleej Trading

    Fanar Al Khaleej Trading

    PhosRice™

    Rice Bran Extracts

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand F6-4Hall 6
  • Chr Hansen Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC (Novonesis)

    Chr Hansen Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC (Novonesis)

    Optiva Triticum

    Quality pasta, no matter the wheat

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C6-28Hall 6
  • Ingredion

    Ingredion

    FIBERTEX® Citrus Fiber

    Upcycled Clean Label Innovation for Texture, Stability and More Sustainable Food Formulation

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand F8-37Hall 8
  • Chr Hansen Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC (Novonesis)

    Chr Hansen Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC (Novonesis)

    Galaya Smooth

    Unlock next level protein quality with Galaya Smooth

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C6-28Hall 6

Renewable Energy Initiative

Swipe to see more
  • Hot Pack Packaging Industries L.L.C

    Hot Pack Packaging Industries L.L.C

    Hotpack 2.2 MW Rooftop Solar Initiative

    Generating 3.52 Million kWh Clean Energy Annually, Eliminating 2,992 MT CO₂ and Accelerating UAE Net Zero by 2050 Goals

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand CC1-122Concourse 1
  • Mac World Food Industries LLC

    Mac World Food Industries LLC

    Sustainable Heating Solution for Palm Olein Packing Facility

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand 742Hall 7

Sustainable/Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative of the Year

Swipe to see more
  • VITO AG

    VITO AG

    VITO connected frying oil management

    Cutting frying oil consumption by up to 50%

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand S1-F40Shk Saeed Hall 1
  • International Flavors & Fragrances Inc

    International Flavors & Fragrances Inc

    CHOOZIT® LIFT cultures from IFF

    Connecting time-honored cheese craft with sustainable innovation

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand A8-4Hall 8
  • ULMA Packaging Middle East LLC

    ULMA Packaging Middle East LLC

    TSX 875 Fast Skin™

    Next-Generation Tray Sealing for Higher Performance with Less Packaging Material

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C1-30Hall 1
  • Tetra Pak Export FZE

    Tetra Pak Export FZE

    Tetra Pak's Net Zero Manufacturing Transformation

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand A2-42Hall 2

UAE Industrial Excellence Award

Swipe to see more
  • Hot Pack Packaging Industries L.L.C

    Hot Pack Packaging Industries L.L.C

    Industry 4.0

    Hotpack's Industry 4.0 transformation is arguably its biggest operational innovation. Hotpack partnered with multiple innovation leaders to digitize its manufacturing operations using technologies such as IoT, AI and data analytics.

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand CC1-122Concourse 1
  • FLOUR MASTERS BAKERY L.L.C

    FLOUR MASTERS BAKERY L.L.C

    Flour Masters Bakery LLC

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand CCR-42Concourse 2
  • SIG Combibloc FZCO

    SIG Combibloc FZCO

    SIG Dubai Product Innovation and Application Hub

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand C4-4Hall 4
  • Acme Industrial Hardware Trading Co. L.L.C.

    Acme Industrial Hardware Trading Co. L.L.C.

    QubeStore, Gofer , Radioshuttle

    UAE

    Visit us at Stand D1-18Hall 1

Industry Excellence Awards 2026

2026 AWARDS CATEGORIES

1.

Best Food Safety Innovation

Recognising cutting-edge solutions that elevate food safety standards across production, packaging or supply chain

2.

Non-Functional Ingredient of the Year

Honouring excellence in taste, texture, colour or preservation, without added nutritional or health claims

3.

Best Packaging Innovation

Celebrating breakthrough advancements in packaging design, sustainability, functionality, or shelf-life enhancement

4.

Functional Ingredient of the Year

Awarded to the most impactful ingredient offering health and wellness benefits, from immunity boosters to digestive enhancers

NEW 5.

Factory of the Future Award

Awarded to manufacturers leading the adoption of automation, digitalisation, robotics, AI and Industry 4.0 technologies at scale

6.

Best Processing Innovation

Honouring breakthrough processing technologies or methodologies redefining how food and beverages are produced

NEW 7.

Sustainable/Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative of the Year

Recognising a measurable initiative that reduces the environmental impact of F&B manufacturing through lower emissions, improved energy and resource efficiency, waste reduction or more sustainable production practices

8.

AI & Smart Manufacturing Innovation

Recognising breakthrough applications of AI, machine learning and smart factory technologies that drive efficiency, precision and agility in food and beverage manufacturing

9.

Renewable Energy Initiative

Honouring a pioneering project or strategy that advances the use of renewable energy within the F&B manufacturing ecosystem, reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy efficiency

10.

Multisensory Experience Innovation Award

Celebrating innovations that elevate the sensory profile of food and beverage through a fusion of taste, texture, aroma, appearance and interactivity, creating unforgettable consumer experiences

NEW 11.

UAE Industrial Excellence Award

Recognising a UAE-based F&B manufacturer demonstrating outstanding leadership in expanding local production, advancing manufacturing capability and strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the UAE food industry

WHAT'S NEW 5Factory of the Future Award 7Sustainable/Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative of the Year 11UAE Industrial Excellence Award

DATES TO REMEMBER

01

Submissions Close

2 October 2026 at 17:00hrs GST

02

Shortlist Announced

End of October 2026

03

Awards Presentation

3 November 2026

Host City

Lanyard Sponsor

Lanyard Sponsor

Media Partners