Expert-Stage – your knowledge advantage at ProSweets Cologne!
The DLG Competence Centre for Agriculture and Food is the conceptual sponsor of ProSweets Cologne, the international supplier fair for the sweet and snack industry. The fair takes place at the same time as ISM, the world's largest fair for sweets and snacks, as well as ISM Ingredients. On the joint stage (Expert Stage), the exciting programme offers insights into current topics in the branch and you can experience the latest trends and innovations in the sweet and snack industry. In inspiring presentations and discussions, leading experts from science, technology and business present their ideas and solutions for the future of the branch.
The following topics will be presented on the DLG Expert Stage:
- Technological innovations: sustainable and AI-supported
- Innovative ingredients and processing technologies
- Global crises – special challenges for the industry
- Sustainable packaging
Event Locationt
Koelnmesse GmbH
Messeplatz 1
50679 Cologne, Germany
Contact
Judith Neuhaus
via WhatsApp +49 152 21883342
or eMail: FachzentrumLM@DLG.org
Sunday, 01.02.2026, Expert Stage
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Smart Forecasting with AI
Fabian von Aichberger, Chief of Staff, Foodforecast Technologies GmbH
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Keynote Speech "Future-Ready Packaging for Confectionery"
Prof. Dr. Markus Schmid, Institute Director, Sustainable Packaging Institute SPI, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Science Slam
Moderation:
Prof. Dr. Markus Schmid, Institute Director, Sustainable Packaging Institute SPI, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
🎓 DLG Careers Day @ProSweets ✨
Monday, 02.02.2025, Expert Stage
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Generative AI @Quality: smart solutions for efficiency
Julia Hildebrant, CEO, Mehr. Wert Qualitätslösungen
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
PPWR: Current status and consequences for the packaging industry
Alina Siebler, scientific researcher, Sustainable Packaging Institute SPI, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Advancing the circular economy – AI-optimized material development
Prof. Dr. Markus Schmid, Institute Director, Sustainable Packaging Institute SPI, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Sustainability assessment and consumer perception of packaging
Alina Siebler, scientific researcher, Sustainable Packaging Institute SPI, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University
Tuesday, 03.02.2026, Expert Stage
12:30 – 12:50 p.m.
Beyond Trendspotting: Soving the R&D Lag with AI
Prof. Dr. Christian Klein, CEO, Umyno Solutions GmbH
12:50 – 1:10 p.m.
Shared Packaging –Why AI Belongs to Us
Tim Gelzleichter, Head of Digital, WIN Creating Images
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Climate Change as Business Issue for Confectionary and how to respond
Nina Brennecke, Business Development, Associate und Cécile Gallet, Consultant - Agri, Food and Drink; Carbon Trust
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
PPWR - Overview & consequences for the confectionery and snacks industry
Guido Aufdemkamp, Executive Director, Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE)
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Vegan Chocolate: Technological Solutions for Milk Powder Replacement
Dr. Isabell Rotkopf, Research Scientist, Fraunhofer IVV
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bake resilience into your value chain to bounce back sweeter
Judith Schneider, Partner und Karina Lück, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Wednesday, 04.02.2026, Expert Stage
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Brazzein-based Sweetening Systems for Reduced-sugar Foods
Dr. Stefan Rasche, Head of Department Precision Fermentation, Fraunhofer-Institut für Molekularbiologie und Angewandte Oekologie IME
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Healthy and sustainable innovations in bakery: from science to shelf
Rimmer Woudstra, Principal Consultant, Woudstra Food Solution
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Resilient Planning with AI: Staying ahead in a changing Market
Maximilian Köhler, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Optiwiser A.I. Solutions
