Engineering consultancy NIRAS predicts that manufacturing agility, scaled-up plant-based production, and operational cost scrutiny will shape the food and beverage industry in 2026. The company's Vice President for Process Industries, Jonas B. Borrit, emphasizes the importance of optimizing existing operations before considering new capital investments due to market pressures such as shifting tariffs and rising labor costs.

NIRAS also highlights the growth of plant-based protein manufacturing and hybrid protein products, with challenges in securing funding and technical expertise to scale safely and profitably. Energy efficiency, including technologies like heat pumps and green fuels, remains a priority for lowering emissions and operating costs. Capital expenditure projects will face increased financial scrutiny, with a stronger focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to justify investments. The need for agility in manufacturing design is also emphasized to accommodate producing multiple products within the same facility and shift away from traditional large volume-based factories.