Pierre Broun

ENG. Pierre Broun is the Head of an R&D Center (Plant Science Research Unit) at Nestlé that supports the quality and sustainability of raw materials of strategic importance to the Group, with a focus coffee and cocoa.  It is the main center of expertise on plant science at Nestlé, which supports large global sustainability initiatives such as the Nescafé and Nestlé Cocoa Plans.  Pierre has close to 25 years of experience of plant science and biotechnology, and has held positions both in academia and in industry, prior to joining Nestlé in 2007.  He holds a PhD from Cornell University in Plant Breeding and Biometry.

ITA. Pierre Broun è direttore della Plant Science Research Unit di Nestlé, un centro di ricerca e sviluppo che promuove la qualità e la sostenibilità delle materie prime d'importanza strategica per il Gruppo, prestando particolare attenzione a caffè e cacao.  Si tratta del principale centro di know-how sulle scienze vegetali di Nestlé, che sostiene una serie di importanti iniziative di sostenibilità globale come il Nescafé Plan e il Nestlé Cocoa Plan.  Pierre vanta quasi 25 anni di esperienza nel campo delle scienze vegetali e della biotecnologia. Prima di entrare in Nestlé nel 2007, ha svolto incarichi accademici e nel settore industriale.  Ha conseguito il PhD in selezione vegetale e biometria alla Cornell University.

Plants for sustainable, nutritious products: an industrial perspective

ENG. The global food system is facing major challenges going forward, facing, on the one hand, increasing demand for nutrition and, on the other, constraints inherent to agricultural production, affected by limited land availability and climate change.  Added to this complexity is the diversity of consumer needs and expectations and the demand for more transparent food supply and sustainable crop production.  Facing this challenge will require coordinated action from stakeholders in the food chain, starting with agriculture.  I will present opportunities that exist to improve crops and agricultural production, in line with consumer needs and wants and the role that Nestle and the food industry can play to support them.