Exclusive: World Confectionery Conference line-up bolstered by Eastman presentation

The dynamic speaker line-up for 2025’s World Confectionery Conference has been expanded further with the arrival of Eastman global materials and industry solutions business making its debut at the event, reports Neill Barston.

For its part, the business has named confectionery specialist Astrid Roels as its representative for this year’s event, which is set to take place on 11 September in Brussels, Belgium.

Registration for the show, which places sustainability, innovation and developments across the full value chain of the industry, including its vital cocoa sector, remains open at the the following link.

This year, we’ve keynotes from Ferrero, Luker Chocolate, the global Mintel research group, as well as a state of the sector address from Caobisco European confectionery association.

This year’s event also features a wealth of industry contributions, including  equipment specialist Cama Group, providing an update on developments within the machinery world, as well as ingredients innovation from the likes of Palsgaard, Corbion, Alland & Robert, as well as a policy presentation from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.

Among our afternoon sessions, we will see our centrepiece presentation featuring Fairtrade, Ferrero Rainforest Alliance, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, ISM director Sabine Schommer, discussing present challenges in the confectionery sector, including the hugely important cocoa trade, and looking to the horizon on how the sector might evolve. 

Significantly, Eastman which has an established track record across a number of sectors in delivering sustainability-focused initiatives has expanded its area of influence into the food and drink sector.

Notably, among its successes is in being a supplier of the Tritan Renew technology, in which the company has reportedly collaborated with industry stakeholders to promote adoption of BPA (Bisphenol A)-free polycarbonate for use within food and drink containers.

With a wealth of experience in business & market strategy, product management, and demand planning, Astrid brings a diverse perspective to her role as business development manager.

Her presentation will focus on her expertise – helping her clients succeed, and will be telling a collaboration story featuring Hans Brunner, which remains a key player within the moulding equipment segment for the global confectionery market.

Her expertise lies in translating market and customer insights to drive business growth. The executive’s keen management skills and understanding of customer needs have created successful partnerships across various industries including agriculture, consumer durables, and food & beverage.

As the company noted, through strategic discovery and her customer-first mindset, Astrid helps organisations make informed decisions, refine innovation programs, and enhance their market success.

Having joined Eastman in 2010, Astrid is based in Belgium, where she plays a pivotal role in developing new markets and delivering meaningful insights for her business clients.

Editor Neill Barston commented: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming Astrid to our line-up, as the business makes its speaking debut at our 2025 show. 

“Her presentation based on how the sector can identify appropriate equipment and wider business solutions will join a dynamic programme of presentations that span ingredients developments, consumer trends across confectionery and looking to the future of the industry and how its core supply chains including cocoa markets are being impacted by present challenges in the market. So, don’t miss out on placing yourself at the heart of our show through registering as soon as possible.”