SupplySide Global 2026 was a really useful opportunity to explore new ingredients, meet suppliers and see some of the latest technical developments across the nutrition and health industry. However, as a largely buyer-focused event, it also got us thinking about the bigger picture: what are consumers actually looking for, how do brands make their products stand out, and what makes an ingredient commercially relevant?
There was plenty of interesting innovation from a technical and formulation perspective, but less emphasis on how these developments translate into consumer-facing products and benefits. It highlighted a gap between what the industry can develop and what consumers actually want to buy, with a real opportunity to make ingredient innovation more relevant to the end user.
Some of the key trends we spotted included:
Collagen: More attention on ingredient specifications, sourcing transparency and quality markers, as brands look for ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
Creatine: Growing interest in liquid formats, although stability and shelf-life challenges are still a barrier for ready-to-drink applications.
Hormonal Health: Continued growth in women's health, with plenty of interest in botanical and naturally derived ingredients.
Longevity and Cellular Health: Healthy ageing remains a big area of interest, with more focus on the science and clinical evidence behind ingredients.
Protein: New approaches to protein production, with sustainability, functionality and nutritional value all part of the conversation.
Fibre: Ongoing interest in digestive health, particularly ingredients that can offer additional nutritional and functional benefits.
Fermentation: Innovation around improving ingredient functionality, nutritional value and sensory performance.
Overall, the event was a great reminder of just how much innovation is happening across the ingredient industry. But it also reinforced that having an interesting ingredient or new technology is only part of the picture. The real opportunity is in connecting that innovation to genuine consumer needs and giving brands a clear reason why it deserves a place in their products.
Ropa Chikowe & Abbey Tyrrell