ZEEN Tech Wins Gold at SIAL Innovation 2026

The Swiss company earned two top honors for its patented water-based food processing technology at the SIAL Paris exhibition.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Food and Drink

ZEEN Tech Wins Gold at SIAL Innovation 2026

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Would you prefer snacks processed without oil if it significantly reduced their fat content?

Immensee-based ZEEN Tech received both the Gold Award and the Equipment and Technologies Award at SIAL Innovation 2026. These accolades recognize the company for its proprietary Fried in Water technology.

Why it matters

The awards highlight advancements in food processing equipment as the industry moves toward healthier alternatives to traditional oil-based frying methods.

ZEEN Tech secured two distinct honors at the 2026 SIAL Innovation competition. This performance marks the recognition of their technology against international industry benchmarks.

The players

ZEEN Tech

A food technology company headquartered in Immensee, Switzerland, that specializes in alternative thermal processing methods.

SIAL Paris

An international food innovation exhibition held at the Paris Nord Villepinte center that showcases global industry advancements.

The details

The award-winning technology replaces conventional frying oil with water to perform various tasks including drying, roasting, cooking, and sterilization. The innovation was showcased during the five-day exhibition in France.

Timeline

  1. October 17, 2026: The awards were officially presented to ZEEN Tech.

  2. October 17 to October 21, 2026: SIAL Paris was held at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center.

Industry Dynamics

This recognition at SIAL Innovation 2026 reflects a broader trend in the food industry to move away from legacy oil-based deep-frying methods. Such developments signal a shift in industrial manufacturing priorities toward sustainable, water-based processing alternatives.

While the technology is currently focused on industrial applications, these advancements may eventually lead to healthier processed products on grocery store shelves. Consumers can look for labels indicating water-processed or oil-free cooking methods as these technologies become standard.

The takeaway

Advancements in water-based cooking technology could soon reshape how packaged foods are processed on a global scale. Industry observers should watch for the integration of this equipment in mainstream food manufacturing facilities.

Further reading

Explore more developments in the industry on our Food and Drink page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by PotatoPro.

Live Poll

Would you prefer snacks processed without oil if it significantly reduced their fat content?