Selection to participate in Drinktec Munich 2025 took place this Thursday (7th).

Another opportunity for Espírito Santo companies focused on innovation has arrived. From September 15 to 19, Drinktec Munich 2025—the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry—will take place in Germany. At the invitation of the German Association of Machine and Plant Manufacturers (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau – VDMA), the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (Fapes) is organizing a delegation of Espírito Santo companies in the sector interested in participating in the event in Europe. The initiative aims to provide a full immersion experience while further consolidating Espírito Santo as a national and international reference in innovation.

“I want to congratulate the entire Fapes team involved, who responded to this invitation to mobilize Espírito Santo companies for a business exchange in Germany in such a timely manner. Our team acted quickly and delivered a response. Now we hope to select some companies to join this delegation and participate in this business fair in Germany, which will be extremely important,” said Rodrigo Varejão, Director General of Fapes.

To form this delegation, Fapes invited Espírito Santo-based companies and startups in the food and beverage sector to a selection process held this Thursday (7th). During the meeting, company representatives delivered pitches of up to five minutes each. Detailed information about international participation was also shared, and questions were answered directly by the Fapes team.

Varejão highlighted that Fapes has been creating opportunities for companies and startups selected through its innovation calls to follow an internationalization path, an area where the Foundation has been actively engaged.

“Fapes is working on two strategic vectors: interiorization, bringing our actions to all corners of the state, from north to south, and internationalization. Both research and innovation must go beyond borders. Our relevance depends on our researchers and entrepreneurs acting outside the state and internationally. This effort to invest in internationalization is fully aligned with an agenda that is already producing results,” he emphasized.

“What was once just encouragement and stimulation is now active participation in international partnerships, giving Espírito Santo companies the opportunity to develop their business abroad, attracting investment to our state, creating opportunities for professionals to work in promising sectors, and fostering economic development in Espírito Santo,” he concluded.

Fair Highlights

Drinktec Munich 2025 will feature over 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries, showcasing the latest industry trends. The event will present solutions and knowledge covering the entire value chain and industry challenges. The three main themes are:

• Circularity and Resource Management: Focus on water reuse, effluent treatment, energy recovery, use of production by-products, and more efficient packaging, as well as new European packaging regulations (PPWR).

• Data2Value: Emphasis on process transparency and the use of AI and machine learning, with applications such as flavor prediction, predictive maintenance, and cleaning optimization based on contamination detection.

• Lifestyle and Health: Solutions for low- or no-alcohol beverages, functional drinks enriched with nutrients, and plant-based proteins, including by-products from brewing.

According to Varejão, the meeting highlighted the wealth of initiatives in the food sector, with Espírito Santo entrepreneurs contributing and investing in this market.

“We saw that some are already prepared to do business outside Brazil. This confirms that our investment is paying off; we are attracting entrepreneurs to Fapes’ calls who develop products ready to compete nationally and internationally,” he noted.

Benefits Already Offered by Fair Organizers:

• Guided technical visits to German manufacturers such as Huber SE and Krones;

• Business matchmaking sessions with VDMA member companies;

• Networking events (“Get Together”) during the fair;

• Speaking opportunities on panels/stages;

• Exhibition space/booth (negotiations underway with Messe München and VDMA).

What is VDMA?

The Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA) is the German Association of Machine and Plant Manufacturers, one of Europe’s largest industrial associations, representing around 3,600 companies in the mechanical and industrial engineering sector.

VDMA has a strong global presence, particularly in Europe, China, India, and the USA, promoting innovation, digitalization, sustainability, and internationalization for its member companies.

Press Contact:
Fapes Communication Office
Samantha Nepomuceno / Igor Gonçalves
(27) 3636-1867 / 3636-1858
comunicacao@fapes.es.gov.br