Claudia is General Manager at Cacaolab bv (Belgium) and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Cacaolab. Additionally, she works closely with clients to create tailored research solutions for their product and process challenges. Prior to her transition to the industry in 2013, she worked as a scientific co-worker at UGent for five years focusing on fat bloom in complex chocolate products. She holds a Master degree in Bioscience Engineering with a major in Chemistry.

About the lecture

Navigating the cocoa and chocolate industry: Current landscape, opportunities, and challenges.  
Tuesday 1 October, 12:10-12:50

The lecture highlights the escalating crises within the chocolate industry, focusing on critical issues such as climate change, declining cocoa yields, deforestation, and ongoing ethical challenges like child labor and fair wages. As rising demand meets shrinking supply, the session examines the growing pressure on the industry and its global supply chain. It sets the stage for future lectures and discussions, offering a foundation for exploring potential solutions aimed at mitigating these challenges and building a more sustainable, resilient future for the cocoa and chocolate sector.