ESSNawards 2022 celebrates sports and active nutrition industry at first in person event in three years

Many of the major players from the sports nutrition industry across Europe gathered last Thursday, in person for the first time in three years, to celebrate all that the sector has achieved over the past year at the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Awards: the ESSNawards..

Delivered by Whitehouse Communications in partnership with the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA), the ESSNawards gave brands, organisations and ambassadors active in the sports nutrition industry an opportunity to be honoured by their peers for their contributions to the sector. It also brought together key stakeholders to network and exchange ideas about how to deal with anticipated market trends and growing sustainability demands.

The event included presentations from industry experts including Chris Whitehouse, Chairman and Managing Director of Whitehouse Communications, Dr Adam Carey, Chair of ESSNA, Paralympic athlete Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Will Cowling, Marketing Manager of FMCG Gurus, and Terence O’Rorke, Business Development Manager as event sponsor Informed Sport.

18 awards were won last week, listed below. The winners and runners up were identified by an esteemed panel of judges from a range of diverse backgrounds. All of the finalists are responsible, forward-looking sports nutrition suppliers in Europe who have continue to persevere and evolve in an ever-expanding market.

Best Protein Bar

Winner: MyProtein Impact Bar

Runner Up: Healthspan Elite All Blacks Plant-Based HiLo® Bar

Most Exciting Partnership

Winner: MyProtein x Hotel Chocolat

Runner Up: Crown Sport Nutrition x Greenwich University

Best Sports Nutrition Ingredient

Winner: Lonza TWK10® Sports Probiotic

Runner Up: Lonza  UC-II® undenatured type II collagen

Best “Free-From” Product

Winner: Protein Works Vegan Wondershake

Runner Up: MyPRO THE Plant

Most Sustainable Company

Winner: Nutrition X

Runner Up: Bulk

Best Protein Powder/Shake

Winner: MyProtein Clear Whey Isolate

Runner Up: MyProtein THE Whey+

Best Targeted Product

Winner: Kinetica Collagen

Runner up: Nutrition X Probiotix

Best Sports Nutrition Product

Winner: Health Currancy LtD CurraNZ

Runner Up: Healthspan Elite Kick-Start Gums

Best Sports Nutrition Company

Winner: Nutrabolt

Runner Up: Protein Works

“This year’s awards are a testament to the extraordinary innovative spirit, agility and imagination of the sports and active nutrition industry. Just a year ago, many of us were still feeling the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. And now, we are looking back at a year filled with ground-breaking innovations, promising new ingredients, and exciting new products!” said Dr Adam Carey, Chair of ESSNA.

“We’re delighted to have received more entries for this year’s ESSNawards than ever, reflecting the astonishing growth of our industry, and the optimism for a bright future for sports nutrition,” Dr Carey added.

“Every year we continue to see Europe’s thriving sports and active nutrition industry enhance their impact on consumers, driving them to healthier and more active lives. The sports nutrition brands we’ve seen honoured at the 2022 ESSNawards continue to guide and support athletes, from elite competitors to casual consumers, with this year’s winners representing the brightest and the best of the industry,” said Chris Whitehouse.

“It has been a great pleasure for Informed Sport to return to support and be a part of this year’s ESSNawards, honouring the sterling work carried out by sports nutrition brands this year. With the success of this industry continuing to drive significant growth, it remains as vital as ever for the expanding market of products to be safe and compliant, which is where Informed Sport hopes to continue supporting new brands,” said Terence O’Rorke, Business Development Manager, Informed Sport.

“Kinetica is thrilled to have the chance to be a part of this year’s ESSNawards, helping the sports nutrition industry come together in person following the global industry-wide challenges of the pandemic. As we come out the other side stronger and more optimistic, we greatly value the chance to acknowledge our peers in all the great work they do for sports and active nutrition,” added Sorcha Madigan, Business President, Kinetica.

 

Benjamin Kay
Author: Benjamin Kay