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 sensory experiences and purposeful value without compromise.
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, according to IMCD, 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 Drink concept 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 experience at 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 gummy containing 9 g of protein and 5 g of fibre; a fibre-enriched veggie dip with reduced fat; and a gluten-free pasta bowl meal incorporating protein-enriched pasta and a fibre-rich tomato sauce.
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.
Emilie Pharand, Vice-President Food & Nutrition, North America at IMCD, said the company’s role is to help brands translate emerging trends into commercially viable products through formulation expertise, market insights and 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.
