ISM Trade Fair Trio Gains Momentum As Exhibitor Demand Accelerates For 2027
The organisers of ISM and ISM Manufacturing have reported strong exhibitor demand for their 2027 editions, highlighting growing industry confidence in the expanded trade fair concept that combines finished products, ingredients and manufacturing technologies under a single platform.
According to event organiser Koelnmesse, both ISM and ISM Manufacturing have recorded strong results during their early registration phases, reinforcing the strategic positioning of the ISM trade fair trio, which also includes ISM Ingredients.
ISM Manufacturing, the successor to ProSweets Cologne, reported approximately 12% growth in booked exhibition space compared with a traditionally strong event cycle. The supplier-focused exhibition serves manufacturers of sweets and snacks and covers production technology, packaging technology, packaging materials, operating equipment and auxiliary devices.
“The strong level of participation already registered by the end of the early bird phase impressively demonstrates the high standing ISM Manufacturing enjoys within the sector – and also confirms that uniting the three trade fairs under a joint brand umbrella was the right move,” said Guido Hentschke, Director of ISM Manufacturing.
Among the companies already confirmed for ISM Manufacturing 2027 are machine and equipment suppliers including Hänsel Processing, SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, Theegarten-Pactec, VEMAG Maschinenbau, ULMA Packaging, IMA, Sollich and Gerhard Schubert. Additional participants include Caotech, Stampac, LIVE-TECH, Mehmet Makina, Sopp Industrie, Loesch Verpackungstechnik, Wolf Spezialmaschinen, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann, SELMI, Tanis Confectionery and MEMAK.
Hentschke said the combination of ISM, ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the entire value chain of the sweets and snacks sector in one location.
“The ISM trade fair trio combines innovative power, expertise in ingredients and industrial implementation in a format that is unique worldwide. This is the only place where it is possible to experience the entire value chain of the sweets and snacks industry,” he said.
On the finished products side, ISM 2027 has also recorded a strong registration phase. Organisers reported that exhibitor registrations during the early bird period were approximately 5% higher than the corresponding phase for the previous edition.
“We are delighted by the ongoing high demand from exhibitors and that the number of registrations has increased again in comparison to the early bird phase of 2025. This fantastic response underlines the role of ISM as an indispensable meeting point for the international sweets and snacks industry,” said Sabine Schommer, Director of ISM.
A broad range of international confectionery and snack manufacturers have already confirmed participation, including companies from Europe, Latin America and Asia. Confirmed exhibitors include Baronie, Canel’s, Colombina, Docile, Elvan, ICAM, Kambly, Katjes, Kervan, Lambertz, Loacker, Manner, Natra, Roshen, Sölen, Trolli, Valor, Vidal, Wawel and WAWI.
Organisers also highlighted a strong return rate among established exhibitors. Morinaga will participate for the third consecutive year since returning in 2025, while Ritter Sport and Zentis have also rebooked for the 2027 edition. In addition, Argentine confectionery producer Arcor will return to the exhibition for the first time since 2020.
International participation remains a key feature of the event, with country pavilions from 24 countries and regions already registered during the early bird phase.
Several changes are planned for ISM 2027. The Bakery Products section will relocate to Hall 10.1, while Hall 3.2 will no longer be used. Organisers also plan to further expand the ISM Functional Sweets section following its debut at the 2026 edition.
Meanwhile, the innovation-focused Lab5 by ISM format will return to Hall 5.2, where visitors will find the Start-up and Scale-up Area, Trend Snacks, New Product Showcase, Functional Sweets, the Talks & Tasting Stage and ISM Ingredients.
Together, the developments reflect the organisers’ ambition to position the ISM trade fair trio as a comprehensive global platform linking confectionery and snack brands, ingredient suppliers and manufacturing technology providers.
ISM 2027, ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 31 January to 3 February 2027.