Yili Group wins four awards in Amsterdam
Credit: Yili Group
On 18-19 June, the Global Dairy Congress 2025 was held in Amsterdam. At the forum, Dr Ignatius Szeto, assistant president of Yili Group, delivered a keynote speech titled “Innovating for a sustainable future,” and shared Yili’s latest practices. The organisers unveiled the winners of the 2025 World Dairy Innovation Awards on the first day. Yili secured four World Dairy Innovation Awards and six commended awards. Notably, Yili has claimed the World Dairy Innovation Awards for six consecutive years.
Dr. Carolien van Loo, head of Yili Innovation Center Europe, attended a roundtable forum on maternal and infant nutrition and breast milk research. Multiple star products from Yili’s top infant formula brand, Pro-Kido, were featured as the Congress’s officially designated products.
At the Industry Leadership Forum, Dr Szeto introduced Yili’s global innovation practices across product innovation, maternal and infant nutrition, advanced dairy processing, and sustainable development. He emphasised, “Innovation is the driving force behind the sustainable prosperity of the dairy industry.”
During the roundtable forum themed “Innovation in Pioneering a New Future for Global Maternal and Infant Health”, Dr Szeto and Dr Carolien van Looengaged in in-depth discussions with experts including Jean-Christophe Kremer, secretary-general of the International Special Dietary Foods Industries, and Richard Hall, chair of FoodBev Media. The discussions focused on research about breast milk and maternal and infant nutrition. Dr. van Loo highlighted that Yili Innovation Center Europe, in collaboration with institutions such as Wageningen University and Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, has conducted pioneering research on HMOs. The breakthrough findings demonstrated HMOs’ health benefits in enhancing immunity, protecting gut barrier function, preventing pathogen adhesion, and promoting cognitive development.
The annual World Dairy Innovation Awards saw Yili Group secure four awards for its products and innovation. Zhenlao Light Cream from Yijiahao Cheese won the Best Artisan Product, Joyday Crunchy Choco Lava was awarded Best Ice Cream, Yili’s patented multi-enzymatic lactose-to-GOS technology: Boosting Gut Health in Qinghuo Adult Milk Powder claimed the Best Intolerance-Friendly Innovation, and Satine Carbon-Reduced Organic Milk won the Best CSR/Sustainability Initiative.
