Panel: Processing as a Competitive Advantage - Unlocking Taste, Texture, Yield, and Cost Control

Processing is no longer a back-end consideration but a primary driver of product success. This session explores how advances in extrusion, fermentation, thermal processing, and downstream operations are being used to improve taste and texture, boost yields, and control costs at scale. Panelists will examine real-world tradeoffs between sensory performance, efficiency, and sustainability, highlighting where processing decisions can unlock margin or create bottlenecks. Attendees will gain practical insight into aligning processing strategy with formulation, equipment investment, and commercial objectives in an increasingly cost-sensitive and competitive market.