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Fostering a sustainable environment for EU plant-based proteins

Wednesday, March 10, 2021
14:00 - 15:30 (CET)

Registration for this event was by invitation only 

This high-level workshop explored solutions to foster the growth and development of plant-based protein and will identify how collaboration across the value chain together with a tailored EU policy framework can help to unlock the full potential of plant-based proteins.

Confirmed speakers (in alphabetical order)

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Manfred Aben

Global Vice President Foods & Refreshment S&T Unilever Research and Development

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Manfred Aben

Global Vice President Foods & Refreshment S&T Unilever Research and Development

Manfred Aben was appointed Global VP Foods and Refreshment S&T in 2018, overseeing the development and application of new science and technology across the foods, ice-cream and tea business. He leads teams in the UK, Netherlands and India. He is Site Leader of the Unilever Global Foods Innovation Centre, that opened in 2019 in the heart of the Dutch Food Valley, Wageningen. In 2020 he joined the Supervisory Board of Unilever Nederland B.V. Manfred spent eight years in Asia. From 2011-2013 as R&D Director Foodsolutions across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, based in Singapore. After that as Personal Care R&D Director in Indonesia, and from 2016-2018 as VP R&D North Asia, heading the Global R&D lab in Shanghai. Between 2004 and 2011, Manfred held a variety of senior Foods R&D roles. Manfred joined Unilever in 1995 in The Netherlands as a Knowledge Engineer. He holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Amsterdam. Married with two sons, he loves to cook (strictly plant-based), exercise and play video games with his two teenage sons. More information Website – www.unilever.com LinkedIn - manfredaben
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Silke Boger

Head of Market Unit responsible for Arable Crops and Olive Oil, DG Agriculture and Rural...

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Silke Boger

Head of Market Unit responsible for Arable Crops and Olive Oil, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission.

Since January 2016, Silke Boger has led the Market Unit responsible for Arable Crops and Olive Oil in DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission. In this capacity, she has managed the regulatory framework and economics of the various agricultural markets. Previously, she worked in the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Germany. Silke holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics.
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Herbert Dorfmann

Member of the European Parliament

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Herbert Dorfmann

Member of the European Parliament

Herbert Dorfmann is a politician from South Tyrol, a German-speaking region in Northern Italy and is currently serving his third term as a Member of the European Parliament. After having completed a degree in Agrarian Sciences in Piacenza, Dorfmann started his professional career as a professor at the Agricultural College in Ora. He then became the director of the agriculture department at the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce and went on to direct the South Tyrolean Farmers’ Federation for nearly ten years. Dorfmann’s political career started in 2005 when he became the mayor of his hometown. In 2009, he was elected for his first mandate at the European Parliament and was subsequently re-elected as a MEP for the European People’s Party in 2014 and 2019, for a second and third mandate. In the present term, he is a member in the AGRI Committee and a substitute member in the BUDG, REGI and ECON Committee. More information Website – www.herbert-dorfmann.eu/en.html Twitter – @herbertdorfmann Facebook – @herbert.dorfmann
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Belgin Kose

Segment Director Protein, Cargill Starches, Sweeteners, Texturizers Europe

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Belgin Kose

Segment Director Protein, Cargill Starches, Sweeteners, Texturizers Europe

Belgin is Cargill’s Starchy business European Segment Leader for Renewability and Enrichment including plant proteins. Her 23-year career spans across several senior roles in Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance, Commercial leadership and General Management.  She served diverse industries in B2B and B2C spaces while accumulating experiences by living in Europe, USA and Asia-Pacific. Dedicated to making a positive impact to our world and society through business with a purpose, she is passionate about Women & Leadership and creating a Sustainable World for future generations. She is currently based in Belgium and enjoys the pleasures of cooking for a vegetarian teenager and flexitarian husband.

Confirmed Moderators (in alphabetical order)

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Mark Titterington

Director-General, SpiritsEUROPE, Co-founder and member of the Advisory Council, Forum for the Future of Agriculture

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Mark Titterington

Director-General, SpiritsEUROPE, Co-founder and member of the Advisory Council, Forum for the Future of Agriculture

Mark joined SpiritsEUROPE as their Director-General in September 2025, having enjoyed a long career in the agri-food sector, principally at Syngenta where he held several senior leadership and executive level positions in corporate affairs and business sustainability in the EAME region and globally. After leaving Syngenta in 2017, Mark became the CEO of EngineeringUK before joining Indigo Ag, where he held a variety of different roles before becoming Head of Corporate Affairs and a Member of the Executive Team in 2024. Mark is a Co-founder and a former Director of the Forum for the Future of Agriculture. He is now a Member of the Forum’s Advisory Council and a Senior Fellow at the Transatlantic Policy Network.

Agenda

Mar 10, 2021

14:00 - 15:30 (CET)

14:00 - 15:30 (CET)

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 - 14:00 - 15:30 CET

Keynote speakers:

  • Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament, European People’s Party
  • Belgin Kose, Segment Director Protein, Cargill Starches, Sweeteners, Texturizers Europe
  • Manfred Aben, Foods & Refreshment VP Science & Technology, Unilever
  • Silke Boger, Head of Unit, Arable crops and olive oil

Moderator:

  • Mark Titterington, Senior Adviser, Strategy & Partnerships, Forum for the Future of Agriculture

In collaboration with

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