Weekly Tidbit
July 14, 2026
A few comments overheard on the show floor:
"I had more interesting meetings in the start-up section than I did at my own booth." "It's the small and medium-sized companies doing the innovation; the big guys are all about cost optimization." "IMR is great at keeping us abreast of the hydrocolloid situation."
The comments pretty well summed up the show's mood. The start-up pavilion was packed with interesting ideas and technologies. We found several innovations worth covering in the next Quarterly, including a few novel texture solutions that warrant closer scrutiny.
As previously noted, many of the larger hydrocolloid suppliers chose not to exhibit this year. Distributors stepped into the spotlight, showcasing their technical capabilities and application expertise. In many cases, they have become much more than simply another route to market.
Attendance improved noticeably on Day 2, although it still fell short of what many have come to expect from IFT FIRST. Traffic was heaviest near the main entrance. The aisles further away remained nearly empty. It was a reminder that trade show attendees tend to follow the path of least resistance. There has got to be a way to drive traffic a little better.
One of the more interesting discoveries was a major new pectin producer that has quickly brought a state-of-the-art facility with approximately 6,100 tonnes of annual capacity online. The plant was built in record time and could become an important new player in the market.
Texture is, at its core, all about rheology. Two companies new to IMR demonstrated in-line viscosity measurement systems designed to remove some of the guesswork from processing. Incipientus uses non-invasive ultrasonic technology to generate viscosity curves across a range of shear rates, while another supplier offers a probe-based system for static viscosity measurements. It's encouraging to see analytical tools becoming more practical for day-to-day production. Getting the viscosity right can help companies save money in the long run. Because "it looked about right" has never been a particularly effective process control strategy.
CMC prices continue to trend upward. One manufacturer demonstrated a gummy using a pectin/CMC blend that delivered a chew and mouthfeel remarkably close to a 100% pectin formulation, but at a lower cost, even with the rising prices.
Fiber remains one of the hotter trends on the show floor. Partially hydrolyzed guar (PHGG) continues to gain momentum as a functional dietary fiber, and we identified several additional suppliers entering or expanding in this market.
We also heard that two major European grocery retailers may be removing carrageenan from their internal "No-No" ingredient lists. We are working to confirm this, but if accurate, it could represent a shift in retailer attitudes toward the ingredient.
Finally, we identified another konjac supplier that is new to IMR. It's always encouraging to add another contact to the industry directory, especially when everyone else seems to be consolidating.
We want to see you! If we have missed your booth, please get in touch, and we will try to stop by on Day 3.
