Innovation, Challenges, and Trends in 2026
Introduction
Liquorice has a long and fascinating history, dating back as far as 2300 B.C. in China, where it was thought to be a magical plant that rejuvenated ageing men. The Ancient Greeks used it for its medicinal properties, particularly as a cough remedy. It wasn’t until 1760, when sugar was added by ‘The Dunhill Company’, that liquorice became a confection. Since then, it has evolved into a versatile sweet, available in a wide range of colours, flavours, and shapes to suit every palate.
The liquorice production industry has seen significant growth over the years, this success relies heavily on the machinery that produces it. BCH has been at the forefront of liquorice machinery manufacturing since 1835, helping producers worldwide to innovate, scale production, and maintain consistent quality.
With global demand continuing to grow, technological advancements are shaping how liquorice is manufactured. Modern machinery not only improves production speed and reduces waste but also allows manufacturers to innovate and create entirely new products.
From its ancient medicinal roots to today’s high-tech production lines, liquorice continues to evolve with innovation at the heart of its manufacturing. In this blog post, we explore the key innovations, ongoing challenges, and current trends driving the liquorice machinery manufacturing industry in 2026.
Key Innovations in Liquorice Machinery
Liquorice machinery manufacturing has seen several technological advancements over the years. These innovations have been instrumental in enhancing productivity, reducing waste, and improving the consistency of the final product. Some key innovations include:
Automated Systems
Modern liquorice machinery increasingly relies on automation, reducing the need for human intervention and minimising errors. High-volume production is now more efficient than ever, allowing companies to deliver consistent, high-quality products while cutting labour costs.
Precision
Liquorice machinery has come a long way. The precision of modern machines, both in their capabilities and functionality, is remarkable. This advanced technology ensures uniformity in size, shape and texture. This level of accuracy allows producers to create visually appealing products while maintaining consistency in flavour and quality.
Scalability and Flexibility
Flexibility is key in today’s market. Modern liquorice machinery is often modular and scalable, allowing manufacturers to adjust production volumes and switch between different product shapes, such as stars, flowers, or twists. This adaptability enables companies to respond quickly to changing consumer preferences and seasonal trends, making machinery a valuable long-term investment.
BCH’s liquorice production lines exemplify these innovations, offering high precision, scalability, and flexibility. Their machinery allows producers to quickly switch between different shapes, flavours, and production volumes with minimal downtime.
Challenges facing the industry
Despite its advancements, the liquorice manufacturing industry faces several challenges. In addition to financial pressures, manufacturers must now consider sustainability goals, increasing the demand for machinery that reduces waste, energy consumption, and downtime. It is important for producers to be aware of these evolving requirements.
Some of the key challenges include:
Cost
The upfront investment in machinery can be a significant barrier, particularly for smaller producers. However, selecting equipment that is scalable and futureproof ensures long-term cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Challenges
Manufacturers face ongoing challenges such as staff shortages, rising material costs, and complex global supply chains. Past global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the importance of resilience and flexibility in production planning.
Competition
The liquorice market is competitive, with numerous players vying for consumer attention. Companies must differentiate themselves through innovation, sustainability, energy efficiency, or unique product designs to maintain a competitive edge.
Current trends in the industry
As technology and the consumer market is constantly changing, it can be hard to predict how this can affect producers. However several trends are currently shaping the liquorice machinery manufacturing industry:
AI Integration & Smart Automation
The rise of AI is impacting numerous industries, and manufacturing is no exception.
In 2026, artificial intelligence is transforming liquorice manufacturing. Smart machinery can now predict maintenance needs, optimise production schedules, and adapt recipes automatically. Customisable software solutions allow producers to save recipes, adjust cutting times, and track production efficiency in real time.
Sustainability
Sustainability continues to be a major focus across industries. Manufacturers are implementing energy-efficient systems, reducing waste through rework processing, and designing equipment for minimal environmental impact. Carbon-neutral production and circular economy approaches are increasingly common in the confectionery sector.
Global Market Expansion
As producers explore new markets, flexible machinery is essential. Modern equipment can operate efficiently in diverse climates and meet the requirements of different regions. Consumer preferences are also evolving, with growing demand for healthier, plant-based, and functional sweets.
The Future of Liquorice Machinery Manufacturing
The future of liquorice machinery manufacturing looks bright, with further innovation and expansion being highly possible. Advances in AI, modular design and sustainability are enabling manufacturers to produce high-quality, diverse products with minimal effort, making catering to customer and market demands much simpler.
Flexible, energy-efficient machines will allow producers to adapt to market trends and consumer demands, while maintaining environmental responsibility. Understanding the evolving liquorice market from consumer preferences to production innovations will be key to remaining competitive and successful in the years ahead.
Find Out More
BCH has been at the forefront of liquorice machinery manufacturing since 1835, when the first liquorice press was developed. Today, BCH continues to innovate, providing efficient, hygienic, and flexible production lines capable of creating high-quality liquorice in a variety of designs, shapes, and sizes.
Get in touch with BCH today to learn more about its liquorice systems and how they can help improve production capacity.
By: Stuart Grogan
December 15, 2025