Achieving Net Zero by 2030 and meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demands bold action, innovation, and collaboration across the Nutra community — no player can be left behind. This award celebrates novel, impact-driven sustainability initiatives in Europe that are helping reshape the industry through eco-conscious ingredient sourcing, low-impact manufacturing, upcycled materials, and responsible packaging. Whether through regenerative agriculture, circular economy models, or transparency in supply chains, this category honours those leading the way in environmental stewardship, ethical innovation, and long-term resilience.

Our judges will base their decision on evidence for:

• A development that means the use of nutritional ingredient(s) are possible in new food or beverage format(s)
• A novel or innovative delivery system that meets a consumer need or trend
• Solid scientific evidence for the product’s claims Commercial success, including evidence of retailer and consumer interest and any other accolades won
• What gives your product the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category , click to download

Entries for the NutraIngredients Europe Editors' Award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year must be initiated or led from Europe, even if the impact is delivered at source — whether in Africa, South America, Asia, or elsewhere. The award recognises sustainability-driven initiatives that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and measurable progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

JUDGING PROCESS: 

• Entries will be received and reviewed by the NutraIngredients Europe Awards Judging Panel made up of independent judges from the industry.
• Our 2026 finalists will be confirmed and notified in end of March 2026.
• Our 2026 winners will be announced during an awards' presentation in Barcelona on Wednesday May 6, 2026.