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
Dr Adam Carey, Chair of ESSNA, said:
“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! 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.”
Chris Whitehouse, Chairman of Whitehouse Communications, comments:
“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.”
Terence O’Rorke, Business Development Manager, Informed Sport, contributed:
“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.”
Sorcha Madigan, Business President, Kinetica, added:
“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.”
