Ambiente closes its doors today after five days trade (February 7-11), with numerous reports of a great many “quality buyers” in attendance from around the world. This was despite a downturn in footfall in halls (most notably in the Global Sourcing halls) due to travel cancellations linked with the coronavirus outbreak.
The weekend’s extreme weather causing delays to flights resulted in extended stays for some visitors and exhibitors. However, with trend presentations, a fascinating programme of seminars, and the multitude of new kitchen and tableware revelations, Ambiente has been providing its guests with plenty to inspire and entertain!
‘Plant power’ (in many guises) has been in evidence at the 2020 show, from new products that address the popularity of plant-based diets to products containing sustainable plant-based materials. There are also new ranges inspired by plants, as well as exhibitors’ displays that embrace nature by incorporating real plants.
Meyer Group has launched Prestige Eco cookware, with a plant based non-stick coating containing glycerine. “We believe this is the world’s first coating of this kind,” says Meyer’s sales director Claire Whalley-Livesey. The new cookware is made from recycled content and is recyclable. For every pan sold a tree is planted via the charity Tree Aid, which is building a “green wall of trees that is 8,000km wide to stop the Sahara encroaching,” Claire explains.
One of many exhibitors addressing sustainability, Practic’s bio-composite alternative to plastic bowls, cups, chopping boards and sink products are derived from fast growing hemp, reinforced by recycled wood fibre. Sigg previewed its plastic free Urban All-rounder bottle, with a bamboo lid.
Healing plants were the inspiration behind Rosenthal’s new Magic Garden tableware designed by Sacha Walchoff. Cornflower, chamomile, eglantine, dandelion and mulberry flowers are among the blooms and greenery depicted on the collections (which represent black seeds, foliage and flowers). “You can mix or use the ranges individually,” notes Maik Hagemann, Rosenthal’s marketing services manager.
Rosenthal is supporting Plant for the Planet with its new Zoepritz table textiles and short series of rainbow tableware.
Living walls of moss and greenery were a striking part of Zwilling’s as well as Whitford’s stands. The latter provided a backdrop for Whitford’s 2020 collection of colour coatings. Meanwhile, foliage burst out of LSA International’s Canopy tableware display at the front of its stand. Kinto is addressing the trend for houseplants with its new hanging planters, which complement its bamboo based and ceramic tableware.
Zyliss from DKB is recognising the growing popularity of plant-based diets with its new SpiraSlicer, which can create vegetable-based alternatives to pasta sheets and noodles, as well as fruit spirals and ribbons. “There are three interchangeable blades and the SpiraSlicer comes with its own recipe book to show how fruit and vegetables can be incorporated into lots of meals,” explains Grant Race, DKB’s global marketing and NPD director. The brand is also working with a leading food blogger as part of an extensive social media campaign for the new product.
Other new products addressing ‘plant-power’ diets included Kilner’s Nut Drink Maker (from The Rayware Group) and Lekue’s Veggie Drinks Maker, which was featured in the Solutions exhibition.
Top: Meyer Group’s Claire Whalley-Livesey with Prestige Eco at Ambiente.
