Below are the top three finalists and the winner in bold, per category and subcategory with a short description of their submitted project.

1. Sustainable farming practices

1a Innovation in environmental sustainability in farming

DESTiny – Dairy Environment Sustainability Tool (South Africa) – A web-based platform measuring net carbon emissions, integrating herd dynamics, feed, energy, and soil health for data-driven decisions.
CONAPROLE – Tambo Sustentable Programme (Uruguay) – A cooperative-wide program integrating climate adaptation, water and energy efficiency, animal welfare, and carbon footprint reduction.
Nescafé Gold Blend Frothy Coffees – The Regenerative Milk Plan (Switzerland) – A pilot farm and training platform combining digital tools, optimized feeding, and green energy to reduce emissions and drive collective climate action.

1b Innovation in animal care in farming

Mastaplex – Mastatest (New Zealand) – An automated on-farm mastitis diagnostic system delivering results in 24 hours, reducing antibiotic use and improving herd health.
Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited and IndusInd Bank – (India) – A tech-enabled veterinary model with AI diagnostics and mobile tools, improving livestock health and productivity for smallholder farmers.
GEA Farm Technologies – CattleEye (United Kingdom) – AI-powered video analysis for lameness and body condition monitoring, enhancing animal welfare and reducing emissions.

1c Innovation in socio-economic sustainability in farming

FrieslandCampina – Dairy Development (Netherlands) – Empowers smallholder farmers with training, infrastructure, and market access, strengthening local dairy ecosystems.
Dairibord Zimbabwe – Milk Supply Development Unit (Zimbabwe) – An integrated support system offering veterinary services, feed formulation, and training to boost productivity and resilience.
NITARA – NITARA (India) – An AI-enabled mobile platform for smallholder farmers, offering tools for dairy management, virtual advisors, and offline access.

2. Sustainable processing innovation

Rockview Farms – WETEP Project (USA) – Integrates energy-saving systems, water reclamation, and sustainable farming to reduce waste and emissions.
Soprole – Waste Reduction Project (Chile) – A mechanical extrusion system separating organic content from packaging, reducing landfill waste and CO₂ emissions.
SARAS – Zero Liquid Discharge Plant (India) – India’s first dairy-sector ZLD system, recycling 660,000 liters of water daily for operations and public use.

3. New product innovation

3a Innovation in dairy products for human nutrition

Youbo – Ruimu (China) – An infant formula mimicking human milk structure, enriched with nutrients and probiotics for immune development.
Xinhuo – Bone Energy Formula Milk Powder (China) – Targets bone, joint, and muscle health with a blend of proteins, calcium, vitamins, and botanical extracts.
Future Star – Special Care Children’s Formula Milk (China) – A patented blend of HMO and prebiotics enhancing immunity and delivering essential nutrients for children aged 3+.

3b Innovation in food safety equipment

Hygiena foodproof® Salmonella plus Cronobacter Detection LyoKit (Germany) – A rapid PCR assay detecting both pathogens in under 24 hours, with a freeze-dried format for sustainability.
Yili – Cleaning and Sterilization System for Pill Dropping Equipment (China) – An automated cleaning system for probiotic equipment, reducing contamination risk and saving raw materials.
Unisensor – DipSensor (Belgium) – A pipette-free, one-step test for antibiotics in raw milk, enabling fast, power-free testing on farms and dairies.

3c Innovation in packaging and transparency for dairy products

Satine – Plant-based Tethered-cap Organic Pure Milk (China) – Cuts carbon emissions by 33% and pioneers China’s first tethered cap dairy product, reinvests profits into ecological conservation, creating a loop that transforms innovation into environmental value.
Yili Ambrosial – ‘For a Bluer Ocean’ Packaging (China) – Features de-inkable labels and recyclable PET bottles, enhancing sustainability and product protection.
YogurtDay Mengniu – Marine-Degradable Straws (China) – PHA-based straws that biodegrade in marine environments, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic.

4. People and planet in the dairy sector

4a Innovation in inclusion and women’s empowerment in dairy

Soprole – Mentorship Programme for Women (Chile) – A mentoring program fostering female leadership and inclusive growth in the dairy sector.
Nestlé Moça – Força da Moça® do Campo (Switzerland) – Empowers female farmers through training, mentorship, and entrepreneurship programmes.
Soprole – School Sports Programme (Chile) – A national sports initiative promoting gender equity and youth development through inclusive competition.

4b Innovation in climate action in the dairy sector

Soprole – Sonrisa Circular (Chile) – A circular economy program recycling polystyrene containers into useful products, engaging schools and communities.
NDDB – Carbon Credits from Biogas Plants (India) – A manure management initiative generating carbon credits and clean fuel for smallholder farmers.
Environmental Defense Fund – Dairy Methane Action Alliance (USA) – A global initiative to reduce methane emissions, supported by major food and dairy companies.

4c Innovation in marketing and communication for sustainable dairy

Dairy Farmers of Canada – “It’s in everything we do” (Canada) – A campaign promoting Canada’s proAction® program, reinforcing trust and sustainability in dairy.
FrieslandCampina – SEANUTS II Survey (Netherlands) – A research-based campaign addressing child malnutrition and guiding product and policy development.
Yili – Zero Carbon Guardian Project (China) – A gamified campaign promoting green consumption and tree planting through digital engagement.