IMCD Group has announced that it will showcase nine innovative food and beverage concepts at IFT FIRST 2026, highlighting the growing opportunity for e-sports nutrition and performance-focused products
Taking place from 12-15 July 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, US, the event will see IMCD’s Food & Nutrition team present under the theme “Delivering with Purpose,” reflecting three key trends that it says are shaping the food and beverage industry: purposeful nutrition with performance, purposeful sensoryexperiences and purposeful valuewithoutcompromise.
Based at booth #S1832, IMCD said that it will focus on how brands can develop products that combine functionality, taste and consumer appeal, with e-sports nutrition positioned as a key growth opportunity
The global e-sports market generated an estimated $2.4bn in revenue in 2024 with consumers increasingly seeking products that support energy, focus and performance while fitting into active digital lifestyles
To demonstrate the potential of this emerging category, IMCD will present an E-Sports Energy Drinkconcept featuring natural caffeine, fibre and collagen peptides, designed to provide sustained energy and support joint health
The company will also host an immersive virtual-reality soccer experienceat its booth, allowing visitors to explore how brands can build more engaging connections with performance-driven consumers
Alongside its e-sports concept, IMCD will showcase eight additional formulations spanning sports nutrition, functional snacks, healthier indulgence and better-for-you staples
Concepts include dairy- and plant-based muscle-mass gainer beverages featuring functional proteins; a protein-enriched gummycontaining 9 g of protein and 5 g of fibre; a fibre-enriched veggie dip with reduced fat; and a gluten-free pastabowl meal incorporating protein-enriched pastaand a fibre-richtomatosauce.
The portfolio also includes indulgent concepts such as beauty brownie bites formulated with collagen peptides, plant-based sablé cookies with bake-stable fillings and a vanilla and chocolate fudge bundt cake with inclusions
EmiliePharand, Vice-President Food & Nutrition, North America at IMCD, said the company’s role is to help brands translate emerging trends into commerciallyand supplier partnerships
“Spotting a trend early is one thing, turning it into a market-ready product is another,” she said
Our e-sports energy drink is a good example of that in practice, showing how the right formulation partner can turn a trend into a finished product and get it to market faster
IMCD’s presence at IFT FIRST 2026 reflects the wider shift towards multifunctional food and beverage products that deliver measurable benefits while meeting consumer expectations around taste, convenience and value
