Speakers

Henk Schouten is a Dutch entrepreneur and pioneer in plant-based proteins. As the fourth generation of the Schouten family business, he transformed a traditional raw materials and animal feed company into an international innovator in plant-based food. In the early 1990s he became one of the first entrepreneurs in the Netherlands to develop meat alternatives based on plant proteins, long before the global rise of the plant-based movement. Under his leadership, Schouten Europe has grown into a global partner for retailers, foodservice companies, QSR chains and food manufacturers, supplying plant-based products to customers around the world. Schouten is known for his long-term vision that plant proteins can contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food system. Today he continues to drive innovation in areas such as fermented proteins, including tempeh and mycoprotein, while also supporting initiatives such as Tempeh Today that aim to expand access to sustainable nutrition and strengthen local food systems.