Rimini, December 27, 2024 – SIGEP World 2025 - The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, organized by Italian Exhibition Group, will take place from January 18 to 22 at the Rimini Expo Centre, putting technology at the heart of its mission to drive development and innovation across all represented sectors: Gelato, Pastry, Chocolate, Coffee, Bakery, and Pizza. SIGEP World will serve as an international hub for technological innovation in foodservice, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and environmentally sustainable equipment to tackle global market challenges.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR A TECHNOLOGY-FOCUSED SIGEP WORLD
SIGEP World’s strategic shift towards technology is strengthened by two key collaborations with leading Italian industry associations:
- EFCEM Italia (Association of Manufacturers of Catering Equipment), which will help explore the evolution of technologies for professional foodservice and hospitality.
- Assofoodtec, part of ANIMA - Confindustria Meccanica Varia, representing Italian manufacturers of machines, systems, and equipment for the food industry. Assofoodtec will focus on innovations in the coffee sector through its UCIMAC division (Union of Coffee Machine Manufacturers).
According to EFCEM Italia, the global demand for foodservice equipment reached €99.7 billion in 2022, showing over a 30% growth compared to 2020. While there has been a slight contraction in 2023 and 2024 (-4% and -5%, respectively), the market remains stable with steady forecasts for 2025. Italy ranks fourth in global foodservice equipment production, behind the U.S., China, and Germany, reflecting the competitiveness of Italy's industry worldwide.
Technologically, the market is undergoing a shift from gas-powered machines to electric ones, a trend expected to dominate in major global markets. This technological upgrade, particularly for ovens and blast chillers, paves the way for AI applications that improve operator experience and optimize cooking processes.
TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT AT THE HEART OF SIGEP WORLD: TALKS AND ROUNDTABLES
Numerous talks and roundtables will offer insights into environmental issues and technologies, with a particular focus on reducing environmental impact.
One of the hottest topics in foodservice will be refrigeration, showcased in the conference "The Future of Refrigeration: How Innovation Can Reduce Costs and Carbon Footprint" scheduled for Saturday, January 18 at 1:30 PM. This event will feature innovative solutions like "solid-state technologies", which could eliminate the use of refrigerant gases and drastically reduce energy consumption, marking a major step towards more sustainable refrigeration.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN FOODSERVICE: FROM GELATO TO PIZZA
Innovation will be showcased across various sectors, from Gelato, with the debut of the Taste of Tomorrow project, highlighting energy-efficient machines for the future of gelaterias, to Bakery, where next-gen ovens designed to enhance quality and efficiency will be presented.
In the Coffee sector, the spotlight will be on cutting-edge packaging technologies and fully automatic coffee equipment at the Fully Automatic Coffee Machines space. The Pizza sector will feature innovative tools for faster and more sustainable processes, focusing on high-tech solutions for creating the world’s most beloved Italian product, from flour to cooking techniques, including frozen ingredients, ready-to-use toppings, ovens, and furniture solutions.
INNOVATION & START-UP AWARD 2025
To underscore SIGEP World’s commitment to innovation, the Innovation & Start-Up Award returns, a prestigious recognition organized by IEG in partnership with ANGI (National Association of Young Innovators) and ICE Agency.
The Innovation Award honors companies in SIGEP World’s sectors—Gelato, Pastry, Bakery, Coffee, Chocolate, and Pizza—offering the most advanced and innovative solutions. Categories include:
- Best Organic / Free From Product
- Digital Innovation and AI
- Equipment, Technology & Kitchen Materials
- Frozen & Ready-made Products
- Ingredients & Semi-finished Goods
- Packaging Solutions & Machinery
- Sustainability
The Start-Up Award recognizes startups with innovative projects that have the potential to revolutionize the foodservice world. 22 innovative companies will be on display at the fair, offering unique proposals like plant-based alternatives to cheese and natural sweeteners for food and beverages, and dietary supplements for food intolerances. On the tech front, advanced software solutions for business management and job search tools powered by AI will be featured. Creative ideas will also include edible cutlery, soot-free wood-fired ovens, and digital platforms for interactive menus and sensory analysis.