Routes to Market: Partnering for Impact

Name: Routes to Market: Partnering for Impact
Start: 2026-09-10T12:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-10T18:00:00+02:00
Location: Inntel Zaandam

As part of IFFI’s Routes to Market series, this event brings together representatives from Albert Heijn and IFFI member companies to explore how stronger collaboration between food retailers and ingredient manufacturers can create greater value across the food value chain.

10 September 2026 | 12:00 - 18:00

As part of IFFI’s Routes to Market series, IFFI is hosting an exclusive workshop in collaboration with Albert Heijn to explore the innovation domains ingredient manufacturers should focus on across different categories.

The workshop will be held at Hotel Intell in Zaandam, within the proximity of Albert Heijn head office and at the heart of the Zaanstreek. Since the 17th century European oldest industrial area and still home to many ingredients manufacturers.

Some responses from participants:

“It was interesting to learn what Albert Heijn is working on and what factors it needs to consider. Hopefully, there will be a follow-up to this meeting!”

— Sabrina Buitenhuis, Ruitenberg Ingredients

“It’s interesting to see how retailers approach clean label, as it remains a rather loosely defined concept.”

— Maria Tzoumaki, Kalsec

“This was my first IFFI event. It is great that IFFI has taken the initiative to organise this meeting, and it was a good opportunity to show what we do.”

— Joost Musters, Döhler

ABOUT

Partnering for Impact: Accelerating Innovation Across the Value Chain

IFFI represents a business network of more than 30 ingredients manufacturers who play a critical role in the food industry through the management of global supply chains, large-scale production capabilities, and the development of sustainable food innovations.

As ingredient manufacturers increasingly influence innovation further downstream in the value chain, they are becoming more relevant partners for retailers. At the same time, the growing importance of private label in retail creates new dynamics and demands. Private label manufacturers often operate with different priorities, business models and innovation needs than traditional brand owners, requiring new forms of collaboration and market engagement.

In this joint effort of IFFI and the teams ‘Format & Innovation’ and ‘Quality, Health & Sustainability’ of Albert Heijn the participants will explore together, which innovation domains need to be addressed by food ingredients manufacturers. Starting from the consumer perspective and macro-trends as defined by Albert Heijn!

Questions to be addressed in this interactive workshop are:

1. What are the 4 key innovation domains that ingredient manufacturers need to address together with food producers?

2. What are the top 3 categories per key innovation domain that deliver the required innovations?

3. What are the top 3 constraints per key innovation domain that hinder the delivery of innovations?

Under the theme “Partnering for Impact: Accelerating Innovation Across the Value Chain,” discussions will focus on the strategic priorities and practical actions needed to build long-term sustainable value while delivering tangible commercial results within the next 1 to 1,5 years.

Hosted at Inntel Hotels Zaandam, directly opposite the headquarters of Albert Heijn, the event provides a unique platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing and relationship building between ingredient manufacturers and food retailers shaping the future of food innovation and routes to market.

PROGRAM

Thursday, 10 September 2026

12:00 – 13:00 hrs
Walk-in & light lunch

13:00 – 13:10 hrs
Opening by Halbe Vogel, IFFI

13:10 – 13:30 hrs
‘Accelerating Innovation Across the Value Chain’ (WHY) by Lilian Sigterman, Albert Heijn
Note: the presentation will be held in Dutch

13:30 – 13:50 hrs
‘Macro-trends, from the consumer perspective’ by Emilie Majoor, Albert Heijn
Note: the presentation will be held in Dutch

13:50 – 14:10 hrs
Develop added value by partnering for impact – plenary session

14:10 – 14:40 hrs
Break

14:40 – 16:15 hrs
Define key innovation domains for adding value (WHAT) – break-out sessions with themes:
– Clean Label – Introduction by Lilian Sigterman
Presentations from Kalsec, Burg Group, Royal Polak Spices, Yama, and Kerry
– Nutrient Density & Functional Foods – Introducion by Emilie Majoor
Presentations from Limagrain, FrieslandCampina, Cargill, and Döhler
– Hybrid Foods – Introduction by Henk van Os
Presentations from Revyve, Interfood, Scelta Mushrooms, Ruitenberg and Cosun

16:15 – 16:30 hrs
Break

16:30 – 16:55 hrs
Reflection on the proposed impact options – plenary session

16:55 – 17:00 hrs
Wrap up and closing by Halbe Vogel, IFFI

17:00 – 18:00 hrs
Drinks & Bites

SPEAKERS

Emilie Majoor, Concept Manager Innovation, Albert Heijn

As Concept Manager Innovation at Albert Heijn, Emilie Majoor drives the development of forward-thinking food concepts and customer experiences for the Netherlands’ leading supermarket chain. Her career in the food sector also includes hands-on entrepreneurial experience as a caterer and a background as Category Manager at the sustainable grocery chain Marqt. This practical retail and culinary expertise is grounded in her Master’s degree in Food Culture & Communication from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy.

Lilian Sigterman, Director Assortiment, Innovatie & Format

Lilian Sigterman is Director Assortment, Innovation & Format at Ahold Delhaize. She has extensive experience in retail, category management and product development, including several commercial roles at Albert Heijn and HEMA. In her current role, she focuses on assortment strategy, innovation and the development of retail formats. She studied at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

Henk van Os, Consultant Smaak & Samenstelling

Henk van Os is a food technologist with broad experience in the food industry. He has held various positions in product development, quality and consultancy at several food companies. Since 2019, he has worked at Albert Heijn as Consultant Taste & Composition, focusing on areas including health, product composition, sustainability and functionality

PARTICIPANTS

The strategic workshop ‘Partnering for impact’ will be open for IFFI affiliating companies, the participation is limited to 2 representatives per company preferably working within the field of Innovation, Commerce and/or Business Development.

EVENT INFO

The workshop ‘Partnering for Impact’ is a collaboration between IFFI and Albert Heijn to define mutual domains for innovation and create value further downstream in the food value chain.

The workshop is for IFFI affiliated companies only.

If you have any questions, please contact Marita Kloosterboer, Event Manager (marita@iffi.nu).

Venue

Inntel Hotel Zaandam
Provincialeweg 102
1506 MD Zaandam

The Zaanstreek is widely regarded as Europe’s oldest industrial region. From the 17th century onward, its extensive network of wind-powered mills processed food ingredients on an unprecedented scale, including vegetable oils, spices, cocoa, and herbs. This concentration of milling, trading, and food-processing activities laid the foundation for a thriving ingredients industry and helped establish the region as an early center of industrial innovation in Europe.

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is a distinctive four-star hotel in the heart of Zaandam, famous for its iconic architecture inspired by traditional Zaan houses. Located next to Zaandam Station and just minutes from Amsterdam, the hotel combines modern comfort with local heritage, and easy access to the historic Zaan region and its industrial heritage.