Antoine Peeters Elected President of Starch Europe: Recognising What the Starch Industry Enables for Europe
Starch Europe is pleased to announce the election of Antoine Peeters (Roquette) as President of Starch Europe, succeeding Christophe Lescroart (Tereos) with effect from Friday 26 June 2026. His election/appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Europe's starch biorefineries. As the EU seeks to strengthen its competitiveness and accelerate industrial decarbonisation, the sector is operating in an increasingly complex environment shaped by high energy and carbon costs, global competition, trade pressures, regulatory complexity and significant investment requirements.
As he begins his mandate, Antoine Peeters will champion a simple ambition: ensuring that Europe's starch industry is recognized not only for what it produces, but for what it enables. From resilient food systems and health solutions to renewable industrial materials, investment and employment across European regions, starch biorefineries connect European agriculture with many of the value chains that underpin Europe's competitiveness, resilience and sustainability ambitions.
"Starch biorefineries are more than producers of ingredients. They enable resilient food systems, renewable industrial solutions and investment across Europe. Our ambition is to ensure that this contribution is recognized and that Europe remains a place where bio-based industries can grow and thrive," said Antoine Peeters.
European starch biorefineries process approximately 22 million tonnes of EU-grown crops annually, representing around 10% of Europe's crop production, and support essential food, feed and industrial value chains across the continent. "Europe's competitiveness and bioeconomy ambitions require strong starch industry. Antoine's Presidency comes at an important moment to further strengthen the visibility and recognition of our sector's contribution to Europe's future," said Nelli Hajdu, Managing Director of Starch Europe.
As Christophe Lescroart concludes his mandate, Starch Europe thanks him for his leadership and commitment. His Presidency helped strengthen the industry's voice and visibility at a pivotal time for the sector.
"The coming years will be decisive for European industry. As a sector rooted in European agriculture and driven by industrial excellence, we are committed to ensuring that Europe remains a place where bio-based industries can invest, innovate and grow," concluded Antoine Peeters.
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