IFEX PHILIPPINES 2026: SSX to showcase sustainable innovations

Building on momentum from its physical debut, the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) will return to IFEX Philippines 2026 to further the nation’s green agenda. This government-led initiative, spearheaded by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), serves as a vital catalyst for change, advocating circular economy solutions to local food enterprises.

To be co-located in the Philippines’ largest export-oriented food trade show, SSX will be held from May 21 to 23, 2026, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

Improved features to support transition to circularity

SSX returns this year with a robust suite of features designed to promote Filipino ingenuity and help enterprises meet global green standards. According to Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director Leah Pulido-Ocampo, this integrated approach is vital for the modern exporter.  “Sustainability is a necessity for Filipino enterprises to remain competitive on the global stage,” Ocampo said. “Through the Sustainability Solutions Exchange, we are building a collaborative ecosystem that equips our MSMEs with the tools, capital, and market intelligence needed to thrive in a circular economy.”

Among the key features of the platform is the Sustainable Solutions and Start-up Zone, a curated pavilion within the IFEX Philippines Marketplace. This discovery hub serves export-oriented manufacturers by showcasing a diverse range of suppliers specializing in agri-food, waste and water management, and green finance.

The SSX Exhibition will highlight a dynamic group of exhibitors in the following categories: sustainable built environment and lifestyle,  waste and water management, sustainable lifestyle and design, clean energy and decarbonization, green finance and ESG, and food innovation and agri-tech.

Unimex Process and Energy Group Inc.; Farmwell Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing; Siklo Enterprises; Junk Not!; Rainphil Inc. and many more exhibitors will be highlighting their innovations.

SSX’s featured start-up companies include, among others, Buenavita Food Products; D’ Sustainable Planet; Green Beauty and Wellness Center; and Krigkrafts Enterprise.

This ecosystem is further enriched by the SSX Seminars hosted at IFEX Talks, bringing together invited experts to provide deep dives into circular economy practices, green reporting, and innovative financing.

Participants can look forward to the following confirmed sessions:

• Bridging the Gap: Operationalizing ICUE in the Philippine Landscape by Bayanihan Lab Network | 21 May 2026, 1PM – 3PM​

This session introduces the Industry-City-University-Entrepreneur (ICUE) framework, a model championed by Bayanihan Lab Network (BLN) and Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, through partnerships with institutions such as the University of the Philippines. Unlike traditional top-down approaches, ICUE emphasizes an integrated ecosystem where academic research (University) fuels business innovation (Industry/Entrepreneurship), all while being enabled by localized government policy (City/Executive).

The session consists of two parts. The first part will feature a plenary speech that introduces the ICUE model and how it brings these different sectors together. This will be followed by a multi-sectoral panel discussion aimed at identifying the current gaps and friction points in the Philippine landscape. Together, these segments aim to provide SSX participants with a clear understanding of the ICUE model and how to make collaborations work for a sustainable future.

Speakers: Dr. Eing Ming Wu, President of Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association; Mr. Jose Luis Yulo, President, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI); Mr. Ariestelo Asilo, CEO and Founder, Varacco Inc​

Moderator: Caitlin Cuyugan, UP NCPAG​

• Unlocking Green Loans & Sustainability for Food MSMEs by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) | 22 May 2026, 11AM – 12NN ​

The Green Loans and Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab (SEAL), facilitated by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), is a specialized initiative designed to help small and medium enterprises bridge the gap between sustainability performance and financial accessibility. ​

This program empowers MSMEs to adopt credible sustainability reporting practices using GRI Standards, transforming complex environmental and social data into transparent disclosures that banks and investors require for green financing. By participating in the lab, small businesses gain the technical capacity to document their climate-smart impacts, making them eligible for favorable “green loan” terms and accelerating their growth within the global sustainable value chain.​

Speakers: Vince De Paz, Country Manager of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)​

• Digitalization of A Supergrain and the Effects on the Global Grains Economy | 22 May 2026, 10AM – 11AM

Shaping the future of grains is challenging, but with the right grain, the Philippines can move its grain industry into a global export champion, with the benefits to social and economic gain while creating a food future and sustainability ecosystem.

Speakers: Jeremy Nathaniel Goh Kong Wei, CEO and Board Member, Worldfoodchain Group

More sessions and speakers will be revealed in the lead-up to the IFEX Philippines featuring SSX 2026.

To drive immediate impact, the Start-up Pitching Sessions will feature high-energy presentations from start-ups, connecting sustainability purchasers and advocates directly with cutting-edge solutions. Together, these features provide food exporters with “on-the-spot” access to sustainable packaging and clean production methods—effectively easing their transition toward a resilient and circular business model.

SSX’s next phase–a full–scale expanded edition–is scheduled for October 15 to 17, 2026 at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), concurrent with the staging of the 74th Manila FAME at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Billed as a “Main Stage,” the expanded SSX will feature a broader scope, promoting the circular model across the lifestyle, home, and fashion sectors, as well as smart cities, with more technical and interactive features.

For SSX’s May edition, CITEM is collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), DOST National Capital Regional Office, Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), and Bayanihan Lab Network (BLN).