Francisco Arévalo is an expert in dairy and plant-based innovation, bringing over a decade of international experience in product development, customer innovation, and cross-functional team leadership. He currently serves as the Team Lead for Global Customer Innovation in Plant-Based Foods and Dairy at AAK’s Global Innovation Center of Excellence in the Netherlands. In this role, he leads a multidisciplinary team of experts in application and sensory domains, focusing on driving global innovation pipelines and market launches.
Before joining AAK, Francisco held roles in R&D and innovation at Friesland Campina and Danone Nutricia Research, where he contributed to new product development, value engineering, and technology projects in various global markets. His background combines deep technical expertise with strong stakeholder and ecosystem collaboration, including partnerships with customers, startups, and academia.
Francisco holds a European MSc in Food Innovation and Product Design (FIPDes) as well as a BSc in Food Engineering.
Ronald van der Knaap is Global Head of Dairy and Plant‑Based Foods at AAK, where he leads the strategic development of two core global industries. With over a decade of international experience in specialized nutrition and plant‑based ingredients, he brings a rare blend of commercial leadership, scientific expertise, and innovation‑driven thinking.
Ronald’s background spans commercial strategy, M&A, and partnership building across global markets, underpinned by a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Master’s in Science and Business Management. Passionate about bridging dairy and plant‑based innovation, he supports customers in navigating the transition toward more sustainable, value‑adding nutrition. His work centers on collaboration across the broader B2B ecosystem, helping shape the future of food through solutions that balance performance, sustainability, and consumer expectations.
Dennis is an experienced executive with nearly 20 years in the Fast Moving Customer Goods industry. As Head of Customer Development at Valio Ltd, Finland, he leads efforts to support the dairy industry clients in developing new product categories and addressing market trends.
Benoît Duculot graduated from ESA Business School in Belgium, and began his career in the hygiene industry in 2004. Over the years, he has held various positions, including Business Developer and Application Specialist, gaining diverse experience in industrial hygiene challenges across multiple sectors.
Today, Benoit holds a position focused on Innovation and Technical Expertise in biofilm control. In this role, he drives the eco-design of environmentally responsible solutions that combine high effectiveness in biofilm prevention, detection, and removal with a reduced environmental footprint. His work aims to deliver robust hygiene performance while optimizing the use of resources, limiting chemical and energy consumption, and contributing to sustainable practices that preserve environmental integrity for future generations.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous industrial cases where microbiological deviations could not be effectively detected or prevented using standard routine methods. To address these challenges, he promoted alternative identification techniques beyond conventional tools and integrated innovative cleaning and disinfection solutions specifically targeting biofilms. His objective is to strengthen process control, enhance microbial risk management, and contribute to more sustainable and resilient hygiene systems.
