Kinyas will make a presentation on "Meltblown fibres constituting smxs nonwoven from 100% reclaimed spunmelt nonwoven via in-line method".

Jerico Biagiotti received his degree in Materials Engineering in 1999 at the University of Perugia (located in Terni). The topic of his thesis was the Development of Thermoplastic Elastomers based on Polypropylene and EPDM Rubber.

For the period March 2000 - February 2001, he was an assistant researcher at the Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology, at the University of Perugia. His primary research activities included Theoretical and Experimental Studies on Polymeric Matrix based Composites.

From 2000 to 2003, he attended a Ph.D. course at the University of Perugia developing the theme Natural Fibre Reinforced Composites based on Thermoplastic Matrices. He was awarded his Ph.D. on January 2004.

During the period between October 2002 and September 2003, he attended a Master course on Computational Engineering at the Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology. He was awarded his master with a final work entitled “A Statistical Approach for the Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Natural Fibres Reinforced Composites”.

For the period March 2004 to February 2006, he was a post-doctoral research associate at the Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology, where he was actively involved in research on "The Processing and Characterization of Polymeric Matrix-based Nanocomposites".

In April 2006, he has been employed as a Research Project Leader at the Research & Development Department of Meraklon S.p.A.

Since 2013 he followed his activities of R&D and Technical Support in Beaulieu Fibres International Terni S.r.l., one of the leading European producers of staple fibre. Today, Jerico is covering the position of Product Development Manager Hygiene at Beaulieu Fibres International Terni S.r.l.,

Jerico will make a presentation on "Design of an innovative fibre with sustainable imprint".

Natacha Bitinis is Dow´s EMEA Application Technology Leader for Health and Hygiene, currently responsible for technology and product development strategy for the EMEA market.

Natacha joined the Dow Chemical Company in 2015 as Technical Service & Development Engineer for Packaging & Specialty Plastics with customer and development responsibility in EMEA covering Flexible, Cosmetic & Rigid Packaging application. She holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Industries Chimiques (France) and a PhD in Polymer Science and Technology from the Spanish National Research Council.

Abby and Natacha will make a joint presentation on "Next generation of polyethylene fiber grades resins in Health & Hygiene Nonwoven".

John will make a presentation on "Imbiber beads: oil-sensitive SAP".

Sören will make a presentation on "New sustainable fast drying latex binder for nonwovens".

Timo's talk will show why using cameras of existing defect inspection systems for basis weight measurements is a smart decision. This approach returns more accurate quality data, requires less space, reduces investment and does not generate any additional safety efforts as do for example beta or gamma gauges.

Timo Dörr has held the role of Global Product Owner Inspection Systems for Nonwovens and responsible Sales Manager for Europe at Dr. Schenk GmbH since 2020. Prior to that, he gathered indepth knowledge of managing all aspects of automatic inspection solution projects as Technical Project Manager at Dr. Schenk GmbH for six years.

Timo holds a Dipl. Ing (FH) degree in Technical Physics and has become a trusted inspection expert for automatic inspection processes for customers around the world.

Jason Finnis is a 30-year veteran of the hemp and natural fibre industries with hands-on experience in all aspects of the value chain. He has a strong background in fibre innovation and is adept at developing intellectual property that leverages the inherent qualities of bast fibres and brings performance and sustainability to the nonwoven and textile industries. Current Board member of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance.

Jason will make a presentation on "Sustainable innovation: performance enhanced hemp and linen fibres for the global nonwoven industry".

Stefanie Glathe is responsible for showcasing Innovation and Science in the P&G Feminine Hygiene sector. Her passion for women´s health and well-being has led her in assignments over the last 24 years at Procter & Gamble.

Stefanie has experience in Regulatory Affairs and Product Safety for all P&G categories, and until 2018, she was in charge of medical devices in the EU. Previously, she also worked as Public Relations Leader for P&G Pharmaceuticals in Germany.

Stefanie has got a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, in collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. She did research for projects in molecular biology, cancer research and plant biology, in Germany, the UK, Israel and Portugal.

Stefanie will make a presentation on "ECOCARE – Sustainable design for absorbent hygiene products".

Simon Gravot studied at the Technical University of Munich and the ENS Lyon. He holds a master’s degree (2010) & a PhD in Chemistry (2014), after which he pursued with a post-doctoral research position (2014-2015).

Before his current position as director R&D Filtration, Simon joined Neenah in 2015 as Development Engineer (2015-2017) and then occupied the position of Manager R&D New business (2018-2021).

Simon will make a presentation on "Elastic meltblown nonwoven with shape memory effect".

Anne will make a presentation on "Innovative filtration systems made of novel antibacterial nonwoven materials".

Stan will make a presentation on "Prevention of biofouling with positively polar (C-Polar) air filter with ultrahigh efficiency in inactivation of microbials".

Bruno will make a presentation on "Enzymatic degradation of PET (polyester) for infinite recycling".

Ingo was born on 16th of May 1975 in Aachen, Germany

1995 – 2002 Studies of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University

In 2002 Graduation in Mechanical Engineering as Diplom-Ingenieur (M.Sc.) at RWTH Aachen University

2002 – 2008 Post-grad. Research Engineer and Team-leader at Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University

In 12/2008 Ph.-D. Graduation at Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen

2009 - 2012 Expert Manager Development Nonwoven at Oerlikon Neumag in Neumünster, Germany

2012 - 2016 Senior Manager Product Management and Business Development Nonwoven at Oerlikon Neumag

Since 2017 Vice President Sales & Marketing at Oerlikon Nonwoven in Neumünster, Germany

Ingo will make a presentation on "Hydrocharging equipment for the economical production of singe-ply meltblown filter media".

Thierry will make a presentation on "Bast fibers: growing opportunities".

Thanwa will make a presentation on "Accelerating sustainable innovation in fiber & nonwoven with biopbs™ - a bio-based & compostable biopolymer".

Thanwa received Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida. He has been working in petrochemical & bioplastics industry for 12 years. He has been working with PTTMCC for 9 years managing business development and sales of BioPBS as Global Sales Manager. Lately, he became promoted to be Marketing Manager covering marketing strategy, activities and new market development. PTTMCC has a strong passion to bring sustainable material solutions to the plastics packaging industry with BioPBS™ that is a partially bio-based polyester certified industrial and home compostable.

Claus Robberts, was born in 1971 in the southern city of Maastricht in the Netherlands, close to the Belgian, French and German border. Robberts is founder and owner of ProJet b.v., studied Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands, and later Precision Engineering at the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

After a short period of 3 years working as a Technical Engineer for a company supplying to the Paper Industry, Robberts founded ProJet b.v. in 1998. ProJet is now considered to be the worldwide market leader in High pressure water jet solutions for cleaning and cutting to the pulp and paper, fiberboard, non-wovens, composite- and wood-panel, and various other industries.

Over the years, Robberts published several articles in multiple magazines for the Pulp- and Paper Industry as well as Nonwovens Magazines regarding conveyor belt cleaning and sheet cutting applications with high pressure water jets. Robberts has given several guest lectures to students at the University of Eindhoven on high pressure systems and applications for continuous production processes.

Claus will make a presentation "In-line cleaning of Wire Belts for nonwovens manufacturing processes"

Mikko Talonen, M.Sc. Paper Technology, Helsinki University of Technology, is heading Valmet Automation System Paper & Board Converting and Nonwoven business globally. Before joining Valmet in 2008 Mikko worked in Paper machine production management in Finland. Based on his measurement technology know-how and solid experience from different web-based processes, his professional ambition is to improve Nonwoven manufacturing process efficiency by high-precise online measurement systems, multivariable control systems and intelligent data solutions

Mikko will make a presentation on "How to utilize high-precision online measurement and control technologies developed for the paper industry in wet-laid & spun-laid processes".

2005 – today:

- research scientist in the nonwovens/recycling department of STFI e.V. specialized in Reicofil®4.5 spunbond/meltblown

- technologies with focus on natural resources/biopolymers administration and realization of research trials and customer service

2002 – 2004: since January 2002 with STFI e.V. responsible for acquisition, co-ordination and administration of European Research Projects

1994 – 2000: studies of Business, Economics, English and European Sciences at Kassel University, Western Oregon University and University College Dublin

Ralf will make a presentation on "Recycling of PP, PET or PLA stand-by-filaments obtained from spunbond processing".

Abby Turner is Dow’s Global Marketing Director for Health and Hygiene. In this role, she is responsible for the overall marketing strategy and execution of plans for existing and new products within key applications. She drives the innovation and sustainability strategy for the hygiene market working in close partnership within the value chain including machine manufacturers and brand owners.

Abby has spent almost her entire career with Dow. Throughout the years, she has worked in a variety of roles including Customer Operations Leadership and Commercial Excellence Leader for EMEA. She graduated from an HCIMA in Hospitality and Event Management and more recently Marketing Diploma from IMD and the General Management program at INSEAD in France and Singapore.

Abby and Natacha will make a joint presentation on "Next generation of polyethylene fiber grades resins in Health & Hygiene Nonwoven".

Jérôme Vachon holds a Chemical Engineering degree from CPE Lyon (France), a master degree in Organic Chemistry from the Université Claude Bernard, Lyon (2002) and obtained a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) in 2006.

He then pursued with a post-doctoral research position (2006-2008) in the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) in the group of Prof. Ben L. Feringa (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry in 2016). In 2008, he worked as a Researcher/Teacher in ENS Lyon, specializing on supramolecular chemistry.

In 2010, he joined SABIC (Geleen, The Netherlands) where he is currently working as Staff Scientist in the Polymer & Materials Science group within Corporate R&D. His main role is to bridge organic chemistry to material science. Past examples are the development of new functionalized polyolefins materials (via copolymerization and reactive extrusion) such as vitrimers and ionomers and more recently, the development of materials with antimicrobial properties. Targeted applications spans from food packaging, healthcare, automotive to personal hygiene.

He also holds expertise in organoleptic properties of plastic working on the identification of compounds responsible of odor and how to reduce their impact.

He is the author of 29 peer-reviewed publications and filed 18 patents, 2 of them being related to polymers with antimicrobial properties.

Jérôme will make a presentation on "Antimicrobial/antiviral polymers to prevent disease transmission through fomites: a covid-19 consequence".

As NatureWorks Global Public Affairs Director, Mariagiovanna represents the company on public and legislative affairs. Her responsibilities include Government relations, product Circular Economy options, feedstock and biomass sustainability aspects, bioeconomy and interface with relevant industry associations and external stakeholders. Mariagiovanna manages an extensive network and relationships with the Plastics industry associations, Brand Owners associations and NGOs; she has practical experience in how the legislative process is implemented both in EU and USA.

Mariagiovanna brings a strong background well suited to this space, having spent 10 years at Corepla, the Italian consortium for Plastics Packaging Collection, Recycling and Recovery, where she gained competence in EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility. Her previous experience is with consulting company KPMG where she was focused on Business Process Reengineering.

Mariagiovanna holds a degree in Philosophy and a master’s degree in Economics.

Mariagiovanna will present the keynote speech "The role of bioplastics in the circular bioeconomy. Challenges and opportunities of innovative materials".

With over 10 years’ experience within R&D business development, project management and technical consultancy, Ross is responsible for the commercial strategy at NIRI and development of the business through marketing, sales, product development and customer service activities.

Ross obtained a MSc and an EPSRC iCASE funded PhD from the University of Leeds and a BSc(Hons) in Sports Technology from Loughborough University. His PhD was focused on developing novel materials for military CBRNe protective clothing and was sponsored by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

Ross will make a presentation on "Nonwovens from polyhydroxyalkanoates - meltspinning process & product development".

Pierre Wiertz is General Manager of EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries.

Pierre, who started at EDANA in 1982 as a Research Associate, has held the position of General Manager since February 2004.  As head of the organisation, he is responsible for the Association’s strategy delivery and operations and has initiated a new business orientation for its activities and membership benefits and given impetus to the geographic expansion and leadership of the Association, as outlined in its Vision and Mission, as well as in its Sustainability Charter.

From 1982 to 2004, Pierre held several other positions within EDANA. He had begun his professional career after graduating in Economics from the University of Liège (Belgium) in 1979, where he worked for three years as a researcher in Labour Economics and Demography. He has authored and co-authored various scientific reports and papers on these subjects

Pierre regularly speaks at European and international conferences on topics related to the nonwovens industry trends and sustainability.

Responsibilities: Meltblow, centrifuge spinning, solutionblow, calendering, water-jet entangling, carding

Education:

- 2010 Bachelor of Science in Process Engineering (University Stuttgart)

- 2013 Master of Science in Process Engineering (University Stuttgart)

Career: Since 2013 Research associate at ITV Denkendorf in nonwoven and filament yarn technologies

Ingo will make a presentation on "Nonwovens for battery and fuel cell applications - high performance materials (HPM) in meltblown process".