AB Enzymes Wins IFU Innovation Award 2026 for Enzyme-Driven Side-Stream Valorisation
Award presented at the IFU Juice Conference 2026 in Orlando, USA
AB Enzymes has been awarded the IFU Innovation Award 2026 by the International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU), recognizing innovations with strong sustainability impact, technical advancement, and measurable benefits for industry and consumers.
The award was presented during the IFU Juice Conference 2026 in Orlando (April 13–15, 2026) and it was accepted by Klaudija Milos on behalf of AB Enzymes.
This award represents the many colleagues and partners whose expertise and close collaboration made this achievement possible.
Recognized for Innovation That Turns By-Products into Value
AB Enzymes was recognized for pioneering work in side-stream valorisation - using enzymes to help transform fruit by-products such as citrus peels and pomace into valuable products including oils, fibres and functional ingredients. By applying enzymatic precision to complex plant matrices, processors can unlock additional value while improving resource efficiency and supporting circular processing models.
Industry-Relevant Results
Across industrial and applied trials, enzyme-driven approaches have demonstrated the potential to:
- Increase oil recovery by up to 25%
- Reduce water usage in oil separation processes by 30–60%
- Increase oligosaccharide yields from side streams by more than 13-fold
- Improve separation efficiency significantly
(Outcomes depend on fruit matrix, process setup and operating conditions.)
Built on Partnership. Designed for Scale.
AB Enzymes’ approach is rooted in close collaboration with processors: co-developing enzyme solutions that are scientifically advanced, scalable, and tailored to specific fruits, raw materials, process conditions, and sustainability goals.
What began in citrus has evolved into a transferable enzymatic technology platform that can be extended across fruit matrices, enabling partners to adapt to raw material variability, develop new ingredient streams, and respond to changing market and sustainability demands.
Looking Ahead
Building on established success in oils, fibres and carbohydrate-based ingredients, AB Enzymes is continuing to explore new ways to close the loop further - expanding the platform to unlock additional components from fruit side streams.
About IFU
The International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU), founded in 1949 and headquartered in Paris, serves as the global voice of the fruit and vegetable juice industry. IFU represents more than 320 members in over 80 countries, connecting a worldwide network of professionals across the entire juice value chain. Through flagship events like the IFU Juice Conference, the organisation brings together producers, suppliers, researchers, and industry experts to help shape the future of the juice industry. Learn more: www.ifu-fruitjuice.com