Speciality Food September 2025

For the 2025 edition of the show, Plant BasedWorld Expo Europe will be co-located with the European Pizza Show – combining two vibrant food sectors under one roof, and responding to the demand for plant-based options from pizza and foodservice operators. The update will see a combined audience of over 14,000 attendees and offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, product discovery and business development. With this year’s show boasting a dynamic exhibition floor featuring cutting-edge plant-based solutions from leading and emerging brands, live cooking demos and tasting opportunities, curated networking and matchmaking and a topical educational programme, it is not to bemissed. 2025’s event is the first under the ownership of Emerald Expositions, a global leader in B2B trade shows which brings a long-termdedication to the plant-based industry. To find out more and get your pass to attend, visit plantbasedworldeurope.com 14 @specialityfood Plant Based World Expo Europe 2025 enters new era Taking place 26th-27th November at Excel London, Plant Based World Expo Europe is the premier destination for retail and foodservice buyers to uncover the latest in plant-based innovation. A project that provides technical support to Welsh food and drink manufacturers has delivered an impact worth over £676 million since its launch in 2016. For the past decade, the Welsh Government-funded Project HELIX has been a key support programme for the Welsh food and drink industry and has been delivered by Food Centre Wales in Ceredigion, Food Technology Centre in Anglesey, and ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Support on offer has included assistance with food safety certification scheme compliance, improving process efficiencies and innovative new product development. The Project HELIX Annual Report 2024-2025 – which focuses on the period 1st July 2023-31st Marh 2025 – has recently been released, and highlights the following support it has provided the food and drink sector during this time: • Delivery of over £303 million impact to the Welsh food and drink industry • Support for the creation of 188 jobs and safeguarded a further 6131 • Helping companies to develop 533 new products and gain 149 third- party certifications • Working with 199 companies, including 103 start-ups As a result of the project’s success, further funding has been announced by The Welsh Government and it has been relaunched as the HELIX Programme. As a result of the success of Project HELIX, the Welsh Government has announced further funding for the project, which has relaunched as the HELIX Programme. As part of the HELIX Programme relaunch, AberInnovation in Ceredigion will provide pan-Wales academic research support. Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said, “The remarkable £676 million impact delivered by Project HELIX demonstrates how strategic government investment can transform an industry. This initiative has been a cornerstone of our support for Welsh food and drink manufacturers, creating jobs, driving innovation, and helping businesses thrive in competitive markets. The success stories from companies like Pembrokeshire Gold, Llanfairpwll Distillery, and Mario's Ice Cream highlight the practical benefits this technical support brings to businesses of all sizes across Wales. “I'm delighted to announce continued funding through the HELIX Programme, which will build on this success by bringing together industry, government and academia to support sustainable growth in one of Wales' most important sectors. This renewed commitment reflects our confidence in Welsh food and drink producers and our determination to see them continue to innovate, expand, and showcase Welsh quality on the global stage." Professor David Lloyd, on behalf of the HELIX Programme, said, “The impact of Project HELIX both financially and in terms of employment, is a testament to the effectiveness of the knowledge that has been shared between industry, government and academia through the project. “With the launch of the HELIX Programme, the Welsh Government has further demonstrated its commitment to encouraging sustainable growth in the Welsh food and drink foundation sector through a strong emphasis on productivity improvement, innovation and attaining industry leading standards.” TheWelshGovernment has further demonstrated its commitment to encouraging sustainable growth inWelsh foodanddrink Welsh Government project delivers £676 million boost to food and drink industry