Dr. Dieter Eichinger is a strategy consultant and materials innovation expert with decades of experience in the fiber industry. Formerly Vice President and Managing Director at Lenzing Fibers, he led R&D, business development, and corporate strategy—contributing to the growth of TENCEL™ and cellulose-based innovations. With a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and further education in business and finance (University of Linz, Kellogg School of Management), he now advises companies and associations such as CIRFS on circular solutions and technical fiber advancements.
At the Serendipity Workshop, he will share how openness, experimentation, and failure unexpectedly led to the creation of TexBoard™—a new class of material made from textile waste.
Oliver Breucker is a digital transformation expert and Managing Partner at Roover Consulting, where he supports companies in developing and implementing impactful AI strategies. With a background in industrial engineering from KIT and TU Berlin, he gained extensive experience in consulting through transformation and efficiency projects that leverage future technologies. At Roover, he helps organizations translate the potential of AI into real business value — from identifying strategic use cases to driving adoption across teams and processes. A frequent speaker on AI and innovation, Oliver is known for his pragmatic, business-driven approach to transformation.
Oliver will share how AI tools can unlock creativity and accelerate product development.
Mr. Nick Carter serves as the Head of Innovation at Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co. KG. With over 35 years of experience, including 25 years in the nonwovens industry and a long time presenter at INDA conferences, Nick has built a career focused on developing cutting-edge technologies, conducting in-depth market analyses, and successfully commercializing new products and services. His work spans from leading intellectual property protection for advanced three-dimensional hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics to developing selectively antimicrobial spunlaid materials and, most recently, advancing fastener systems. With a comprehensive perspective, Nick’s emphasis for develoeprs is in anticipating and meeting consumer needs.
In his presentation, he will explore both an inside-out view of nonwoven fabric/mechanical engagement for closure systems and an outside-in approach to sustainability.
Mesut Cetin studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen University with a specialization in plastics and textile technology. He then earned his doctorate at the Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University in the field of lightweight construction. In 2016, he joined the KraussMaffei Group, where he held various positions until 2021. There, he designed, developed, and introduced automation solutions for the production of long fiber-reinforced plastic components to the market.
During his time at KraussMaffei, he also completed an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program at the TUM School of Management in Munich alongside his professional duties. After graduating, he joined BMW Brilliance in Shenyang, China, where he worked in process planning for battery production until early 2023.
In May 2023, he returned to Germany and took over the management of the Institute of Textile Technology Augsburg. Since then, he has also been teaching as a professor at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, focusing on textile technology, plastics engineering, and lightweight construction.
Lode Daelemans is professor at the Centre for Textile Science and Engineering, a research group devoted to textiles in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Ghent University. His research is in specialized characterization and advanced modelling techniques for technical textiles, covering both material and manufacturing aspects. One of his research objectives is to create performant and reliable digital twins of textile materials and processes that allow for faster innovation in the textile industry.
Dr. Stan Haftka is Business Development Manager for Green Planet™ at Kaneka Europe Holding, bringing decades of experience in the plastics industry, including roles at Hoechst AG, Ticona, and Celanese. With over 20 years in the bioplastics sector, he has held leadership positions at Telles, Metabolix, and BIO-FED, driving innovation in sustainable materials. Dr. Haftka holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Göttingen, Germany, and is a recognized speaker at international bioplastics conferences.
Dr. Stan Haftka will present the latest advancements in Green Planet™ PHBH nonwovens and their impact on sustainability.
Dr Carmen Hijosa, Founder and Chief Creative and Innovation Officer of Ananas Anam Ltd, developed Piñatex® - a natural plant-based, non-woven material made from pineapple leaf fibre. She is an ethical entrepreneur with a vision for a more sustainable future, connecting people, ecology and economics.
Originally from Spain, Carmen’s career has taken her around the world. The journey of Piñatex® began when she realized the toxic impact of mass leather production while consulting in the Philippines. Driven to find an alternative solution, Carmen undertook a PhD at the Royal College of Art (UK) to develop Piñatex;. As a result she has spearheaded a vibrant new industry that is socially, environmentally and economically responsible.
Dr Hijosa will present "The potential of using Anam PALF (pineapple leaf fibres) in the nonwoven industry".
Dr rer nat Heike Illing-Günther studied engineering chemistry at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and the Chemnitz University of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Materials Technology, where she graduated in 1992. After completing her PhD (1995) at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena in the field of food and environmental toxicology, she joined the Textile Research Institute Thüringen-Vogtland Greiz (Germany) in 1996 in the field of textile testing and research. During the following 10 years, her main activities included chemical textile analysis and quality management of the accredited testing laboratory, textile microscopy/digital image processing and analysis as well as textile coating, surface modification and projects on smart textiles.
Since 2006 she has been working at the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI) in Chemnitz in the department Technical Textiles/Woven & Knitted Fabrics with a focus on technical textiles, especially textile semi-finished products for continuous fibre-reinforced plastics and functional integration in textile semi-finished products. Dr Heike Illing-Günther joined the Institute as Research Director in May 2010, since August 2020 as Member of the STFI Management and in Novenber 2021 she became Managing Director of STFI e.V. Furthermore, she is teaching at TU Chemnitz, in Technical Textiles (since 2009), at KHB Weißensee (since 2013) in Functional Fabrics & Surfaces as well as Technical Textiles and Recycling and Resource Efficiency at TU Dresden (since 2019). Heike Illing-Günther was Lecturer at Summer School at KTH Stockholm and support the STFI-Akademie (AZAV-certified). She is national and international evaluator for various industries and panels. Furthermore, Member of the Board of Carbon United e.V. (Education & Young Professionals), Member of the Board of Sächsische Industrieforschungsgemeinschaft (SIG) e.V. (Treasurer) as well as Member of Wirtschaftsrat Deutschland e.V. and Member of the Innovation Board of the Deutsche Industrieforschungsgemeinschaft Konrad Zuse e.V. and Deputy Member of the Presidium of ZUSE.
Dr. Klaus Dieter Hoerner holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Karlsruhe University and a Master from the University of Eugene, Oregon. He is a Senior Specialist in sustainability for superabsorbents at BASF SE as well as part of EDANA’s Sustainability Expert Panel and Project Team for PCR for AHP.
With over 15 years of experience in superabsorbents and sustainability Klaus Dieter has a wide experience in biomass-balancing, life cycle assessment and a lot of other topics of applied sustainability.
Dr. Klaus Dieter Hoerner will share insights in the combination of biomass-balancing and the use of green power to generate a superabsorbent with a product carbon footprint of zero. This unique offering will help hygiene article producers to achieve their sustainability targets without any loss of performance.
Dr. Steffen Kayser is Director of Automation & Digitalization at ANDRITZ, where he is responsible for hard- and software control system engineering, software development, and information management. For the Nonwoven business, he holds global responsibility for Digitalization & AI and their application to create added value.
Following many years of cutting-edge scientific and industrial R&D in laser physics, nanoelectronics, quantum computing, and the latest battery & fuel cell technologies, he has spent a decade in the field of industrial plant engineering, focusing on the full spectrum of digital solutions and their potential to drive sustainable production processes – both now and in the future.
Dr. Steffen Kayser will share his perspective on what will be necessary to truly shift into high gear.
Remi Loren is the Founder and CEO of Ekolution, a Swedish GreenTech company pioneering bio-based, carbon-negative materials made from hemp for various nonwoven industries. With a background in circular innovation and entrepreneurship, Remi is committed to accelerating the transition toward net-zero through scalable, regenerative solutions. Under his leadership, Ekolution has vertically integrated the hemp value chain — from cultivation to advanced fiber processing — enabling the production of high-performance, sustainable materials. Remi’s work bridges natural fibers with cutting-edge industrial applications, attracting international attention and cross-sector collaboration. He is a passionate advocate for climate-smart materials and sustainable business models, reshaping how industries approach environmental impact, material sourcing, and product innovation.
Selahattin Onur is the Head of Innovation & QC at Fiberpartner, leading advancements in sustainable fibers, including Nereus® and PolyPlant®. With over a decade of experience in R&D for nonwovens - especially in hygiene - he has pioneered transformative product innovations and implemented top-tier quality control measures. A recognized expert in the field, Selahattin has played a key role in elevating industry standards and aligning fiber development with customer needs.
Selahattin will share insights on innovation and quality in sustainable fiber solutions.
Alexandros Skouras (Ph.D., M.Sc.) is the Segment Director for Hygiene at Paptic Ltd, a Finnish company developing fibre-based, recyclable packaging materials to replace plastics globally. A seasoned commercial leader, he has extensive experience in market expansion, sales strategy, and sustainable business transformation in packaging and industrial materials.
Dr. Skouras specializes in strategic positioning, key account management, and revenue growth, helping businesses transition to scalable, sustainable models. Before Paptic, he held senior roles in the packaging industry, driving growth and product innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in Solid Mechanics from the University of Bristol. Passionate about sustainability, he enables brands to shift toward circular, high-performance alternatives.
Alexandros will present "Beyond Plastic: Paptic® Hygiene Packaging Redefines Sustainability and Sensory Experience".
Maria Ström, CEO at The Loop Factory, is an experienced and entrepreneurial leader in sustainable materials and circular innovation, with a Tech.Lic. in Chemical Engineering. With over 20 years in the pulp and paper industry, she has held key roles in process development, technical sales, procurement, and project management. As the former operations manager at a Science Park, she played a pivotal role in establishing a test and demonstration facility for textiles and bio-based materials.
Today, Maria is at the forefront of advancing circularity in textiles, utilising nonwoven technologies to transform textile waste into valuable resources.
Maria will share insights on innovative recycling solutions, including high-performance padding from textile waste and wool-based snow covers for ski resorts.
Matthew is a PhD-level textile engineer who has worked in the textile and nonwovens industry for over 30 years. He has direct experience of the design, development and manufacture of both single-use and durable nonwoven materials for many applications including filtration, hygiene, military, automotive and wipes.
As CEO of NIRI, Matthew is strategically responsible for one of the world’s most innovative material research consultancies delivering high impact commercially-viable research and commercialisation of intellectual property.
Sophie Vandewalle holds a Master’s degree in Textile Engineering and an MBA. She is currently Head of R&D at Beaulieu Fibres International. She leads a multidisciplinary innovation team specializing in bonding fibers, high-tenacity fibers, automotive composites, high-performance filtration, hygiene, and floorcovering applications. Together, they co-create sustainable, high-value solutions by combining deep market insight with cutting-edge technical expertise.
