BolognaFiere and BOS have created Free From Hub, a completely new exhibition project dedicated to the emerging sector of “free from” products, declined in a wide range of areas.
“Free from” means all those products that do not include in their composition certain ingredients, compounds or particular substances that the consumer prefers for different reasons (from food intolerances / allergies to alternative dietary and non-dietary choices). Examples are gluten, lactose, egg, salt, palm oil and GMO-free products.
The free from products market is a growing phenomenon not only in Italy, but at a European and global level. Just think that in Europe, in recent years, the business linked to the free from universe has increased significantly. In fact, only as far as “gluten-free” is concerned, the growth in business volume exceeded 35%, while that of lactose-free products by 20%. (Source: Euromonitor).
Launched as a preview during MarcabyBolognaFiere 2020, Free From aroused curiosity and interest from operators in the sector. Free From Hub is a transversal exhibition platform, not a single appointment, but a series of in-depth opportunities for BolognaFiere events where free from products are available.
Free From Hub will officially debut on the occasion of the next edition of Sana, the international organic and natural exhibition held at BolognaFiere from 3 to 6 September.
In fact, there are four events that already this year are part of the Free From Hub project. In addition to Sana, also Cosmofarma (5-7 November, Ciofe China International Organic Food Exhibition (5/7 November, Xiamen, China), MarcabyBolognaFiere (postponed to 13-14 January 2021). To these are added the other reference events that take place on an annual basis. This is the starting point for Free From Hub which will then also turn to foreign markets.
Free From is part of reference events in the respective sectors of BolognaFiere, by offering new free tools to companies that intervene in the free from areas, making it easier to identify them within individual events. Free From Hub was created precisely to meet the needs of the market and of all the stakeholders that animate the sector, to be able to analyze and represent it.