Anne Pitkowski’s skilled path has at all times been linked to science and know-how. It spans gentle polymer analysis, casein thermodynamics, and now, various proteins and plant-based innovation.
As Bel Group’s analysis and utility director, she has additionally led key elements of the corporate’s technique in rising applied sciences, together with machine studying and synthetic intelligence.
In the meantime, the French multinational has been among the many dairy gamers on the forefront of different protein innovation by funding in precision-fermented proteins and data-led plant-based dairy analysis.
As meals and beverage majors more and more depend on AI in areas spanning from operational effectivity to recipe creation, Bel’s technique on this house can also be shifting.
“By leveraging AI and the digitalization of worth chains, it turns into attainable to speed up progress not solely in scientific understanding but in addition in the best way we optimise manufacturing processes and enhance the sustainability of manufacturing,” Pitkowski opened.
“We’re partnering with Dassault Systèmes to develop the primary cheese digital twin,” she added. “This development will allow us to combine bodily and digital testing processes, accelerating new product improvement and optimising style, vitamin, and environmental traits.”
The partnership includes supporting Bel’s total worth chain by AI, from product ideation to manufacturing and market launch. For instance, Bel has rolled out AI-powered effectivity and sustainability platform throughout its international factories and is leveraging machine studying to tell market demand and product improvement, together with optimising formulation and lowering time-to-market.
“Introducing AI and machine studying allows us to determine the components that affect product bodily chemistry, even with out direct management over all causal mechanisms,” stated Pitkowski. “Beforehand, efforts have been centred on absolutely understanding underlying causes; now, the emphasis is shifting towards recognising actionable levers. This evolution considerably enhances each the utility and the applicability of our work.”
This shift aligns with the Bel’s broader transformation in the direction of a extra sustainable mannequin, she added, with the corporate aiming to develop a portfolio with a 50-50 break up between dairy and plant-based alternate options.
“Attaining this ambition requires a deep understanding of the bodily chemistry of novel elements – notably, various proteins obtained by fermentation – whose behaviours usually deviate from conventional dairy techniques,” stated Pitkowski. “To help this transition, we’re creating animal-free dairy substitutes that protect wonderful style and dietary qualities.”
This work is a part of Bel’s partnership with French biotech agency Standing Ovation, which produces precision fermentation-derived casein; and Superbrewed Meals, a US firm which makes proteins by anaerobic fermentation (the identical course of that turns barley into beer).
“Rising the availability of high quality proteins is crucial to fulfill international dietary wants, whether or not they come from dairy or various sources,” Pitkowski defined. “Combining plant-based and rising animal-free proteins provides a sustainable solution to accompany this development – and AI helps optimise manufacturing strategies to steadiness yield, high quality, and environmental influence.”
Past formulation, AI additionally contributes to extra sustainable operations by bettering how the corporate displays course of efficiency and useful resource effectivity. “Strengthening our digital infrastructure allows extra dependable manufacturing information, extra constant high quality, and reductions in waste, vitality, and water use,” stated Pitkowski. “These enhancements help our broader aim of mixing protein innovation with accountable and environment friendly manufacturing techniques.”
Bel can also be including new expertise with experience in information science, AI and meals science whereas upskilling its current groups. “This strategy ensures that our groups are ready to leverage rising applied sciences and keep a vanguard in Analysis,” she added.
The place is AI-powered meals and beverage innovation headed? “Trying forward, AI-supported customized vitamin is poised to rework the best way we strategy well being and wellness,” Pitkowski stated “It’s anticipated that, within the close to future, we are going to obtain a complete understanding of the intestine microbiota because of AI.”
Need to hear extra about AI’s influence on F&B?
Register to attend Future Meals-Tech San Francisco, going down March 19-20, to learn how AI and machine studying may be leveraged to create extra versatile and future-proof provide chains.
The occasion can even convey insights on how regulation, funding methods, and client tendencies comparable to GLP-1 and clean-label are shaping the sector throughout seminar classes, roundtables and networking.
Plus, attendees will discover out the winner of the International Meals Tech Awards, Americas Warmth.
For extra info, or to e-book a ticket, go to: www.futurefoodtechsf.com
