INDUSTRY
EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Industry Excellence Awards 2026 entries are now open

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

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

24 September 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