Digestive Health

Webinar – Fermentation: Will the Past Power the Future?

19 JUL 2021 2 MIN READ
Webinar – Fermentation: Will the Past Power the Future?

The past few years have seen a boom of innovative companies looking to produce food ingredients using microbial fermentation instead of via traditional agricultural means, such as plant or animal farming. It can take months and years to grow the plants and animals that are the source of foods and ingredients used in modern food systems, yet microbes have the potential to  double their biomass in a matter of hours and are capable of producing specific proteins while doing so.

Microbial fermentation has been used for years in the food industry to produce ingredients such as enzymes and in the biopharma industry. The transformative capability of microbial fermentation is deeply rooted in human history, with evidence showing humans have been leveraging fermentation for more than 5000 years.

Will fermentation, the oldest food processing technique, power the future of the food industry?

In this webinar, our experts answer questions like:

    • How does fermentation work?
    • What are the different types of fermentation (e.g. traditional fermentation, precision fermentation, etc), and which ingredients or foods are each responsible for producing?
    • What are the current challenges and opportunities in fermentation?
    • How is fermentation science driving innovation in the food and beverage industry, and how might it become a much larger component of producing what we eat in the future?

Contributors

Jacques Georis, PhD

Jacques Georis, PhD

Global RD&A Senior Director – Fermentation and AHN Technologies - Kerry

Dr. Jacques Georis is part the senior leadership team in charge of business strategy and ensuring its execution for Functional Ingredients Pillar (where BU Enzymes sits), being accountable for RD&A and R&SA functions. Additionally Jacques leads the R&D strategy for Global Fermentation R&D and the co-owner of Process Technology Fermentation Excellence Program within Kerry.

Full BIO & Contributor Articles
Melissa Sheridan, MSc

Melissa Sheridan, MSc

Marketing Director - Strata

Melissa Sheridan worked as Senior Marketing Director for Kerry’s Applied Health and Nutrition division, where she has responsibility for leading the global marketing strategy for a diverse portfolio of technologies, which create a healthier and more sustainable world.

Full BIO & Contributor Articles
Frank Delvigne, PhD

Frank Delvigne, PhD

Professor in Microbial Biotechnology - University of Liège (ULg)

Frank Delvigne, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Bio-Industries at the University of Liège in Gembloux, Belgium. His research interests include bioreactor modelling, bioprocess scale-up and scale down, and microbial stress analysis. He also serves as Vice-Dean for Research and President of the Agro-Bio Tech Research Unit at the University of Liège.

Full BIO & Contributor Articles
Subheading

2026 Health & Nutrition Megatrends

Feeding the world in a way that supports both people and the planet – without compromising the future – is igniting bold innovations for 2026 and beyond. Moving towards an industry where nourishing, affordable, and sustainable choices are within reach for everyone, everywhere.

Stay in touch

Our Monthly Newsletter

Sign up for monthly updates featuring our latest expert insights, upcoming webinars, and much more.