Interviews

Thorbjoern Fors

Thorbjoern Fors

EVP

Siemens Energy

"The Silyzer 300 is Siemens Energy’s latest product line in our portfolio of double-digit megawatt electrolyzers. It has several features that make it well suited for today’s green hydrogen production plants"

Thorbjoern Fors is the EVP of Siemens Energy’s Industrial Applications division. Prior to this position, he served as CEO of the Service Distribution Generation and Oil and Gas business unit of Siemens. He also held EVP roles in the organization’s industrial power generation and compression business and within global marketing and sales of new equipment. Mr. Fors is a mechanical engineer with more than 25 years of international experience in business development, sales, operations, and leading global businesses.

Jacques Beauchemin

Jacques Beauchemin

President & CEO

Aikawa Fiber Technologies (AFT)

"AFT's proprietary simulation software called SimAudit™ helps in the evaluation and selection of appropriate equipment to fit the specific customer needs. We can simulate individual unit operations or an entire process line to accurately predict the benefits of our proposed solutions".

Canadian CPA with over 35 years of experience in an international manufacturing environment. A strong belief in continuous improvement philosophy and sharing best practices. A collaborative management style with a reputation for building teamwork within the global organization. Focused on aligning the input of multidisciplinary, talented people who can tackle problems and turn them into opportunities for improvement to better serve AFT customers, contribute to their productivity, and support sustainability efforts.

Mr. Dani Garcia

Mr. Dani Garcia

CEO

Pasaban

"As manufacturers, we ought to offer machines that are reliable, customizable and affordable so our customers can be competitive in this global landscape".

Mr. Dani Garcia has done his MBA Internacional Executive Program from Georgetown University. Later on, he worked as the Board of Directors Member in RDIMet for almost 6 years. Then, he served the company Fagor Arrasate S.Coop for 21 years as an Overseas Chief Engineer to Technical and Innovation Director. He has also been the Member of the Governing Council - Koniker for 4 years. Dani started working for Pasaban in May 2019 as CEO of the company.

David Dostal

David Dostal

Managing Director

PAPCEL A.S.

"The goal of PAPCEL is to offer a complex customized solution for each of our customers that do not include only machinery delivery, but also involve an added value for the customer".

In 2014, Mr. David Dostal, PAPCEL Co. Managing Director, was awarded "The Olomouc Region Entrepreneur of the Year" and in 2015 was announced "The Town of Litovel Personality" for his credit in the town development. In 2016, Mr. David Dostal won a prestigious award in the category “Manager of the Sector 2015 - machinery, equipment, and technology manufacturing” and the award in the category “Finalist of the Competition Manager of the Year 2015”. He is the CEO and Managing Director of PAPCEL A.S, ABK GROUPE.

David Dostal

David Dostal

CEO

PAPCEL A.S.

"We offer a complete package of deliveries from stock preparation lines to paper machines to papermaking auxiliary chemical plants and naturally to professional engineering services"

In 2014, Mr. David Dostal, PAPCEL Co. Managing Director, was awarded "The Olomouc Region Entrepreneur of the Year" and in 2015 was announced "The Town of Litovel Personality" for his credit in the town development. In 2016, Mr. David Dostal won a prestigious award in the category “Manager of the Sector 2015 - machinery, equipment, and technology manufacturing” and the award in the category “Finalist of the Competition Manager of the Year 2015”. He is the CEO and Managing Director of PAPCEL A.S, ABK GROUPE.

Shaju Peter

Shaju Peter

Managing Director

Daftech Engineers Pvt. Ltd.

"We believe we provide to our customers a cost effective primary treatment system for their wastewater treatment".

Worked for nearly two decades in Krofta Engineering Limited right from the inception of the company in 1982 in India till the death of Dr. Milos Krofta. Trained in the technology of Dissolved Air Flotation at Krofta Headquarters in Lenox, USA, and various DAF installations in the USA, United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. Introduced the technology of Dissolved Air Flotation in paper mills of the country and diversified its applications in a variety of industries both in India and abroad. Set up Daftech Engineers Pvt. Ltd. in 2001 which has DAF installations to its credit in Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and the USA. Specialties: marketing management, industrial wastewater treatment, sewage treatment using the technology of Moving Bed Bio Reactor.

Roger Willis

Mr. Roger Willis

Business Field Manager Chemical, Pulp & Paper

NETZSCH Pumps & Systems

"NETZSCH has a very extensive world-wide network of manufacturing plants and sales companies so any further expansion will be very targeted on specific strategically import countries".

Roger started working as a Business Unit Manager Chemical Pulp + Paper at NETZSCH Pumpen und Systeme GmbH from 2001 to date. His keen interests are mainly Mining news & Networking, Flottweg Separation Technology, and Pump Users Forum.

Dr. Frank Miletzky

Dr. Frank Miletzky

President

Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS)

"PTS is required to pre-think the future and join forces with partners to create the prerequisites for the development of innovative fibre-based products and processes in our sectors".

Dr. Frank had done his diploma from Technische Universität Dresden / TU Dresden and graduated from Universität Leipzig. Frank worked as the Head of paper development in Felix Schoeller Osnabrück. Later on, he worked as Director R&D and QM in Ahlstrom Osnabrück GmbH. He retired as the Technical Director and President from Paper Technology Foundation (PTS) in the year 2018 and is currently working as a Strategy & Research Consultant in FM innovation.

Marco Mensink

Director General

CEPI - Confederation of European Paper Industries

"CEPI will keep highlighting the pulp and paper industries’ role for the EU economy, where we create value and bring employment".

Marco Mensink is currently the Director-General of Cefic, the European chemical industry, since May 2016. With members adding over 550 billion Euro to the EU economy annually, Cefic is the largest industry sector representation of its kind in Brussels. As part of this role, Mr. Mensink shapes the strategy and direction of the European chemical industry, uniting more than 22 national federations, 8 associate federations, and 650 members and affiliates from all over Europe. A Dutch national, he is a seasoned public affair professional, who has lived and worked in Brussels since 2006. He has an extensive network of contacts within European institutions and the wider Brussels sphere and is active in several European Commission High-Level Groups. Starting his career at Ernst & Young Management Consulting, he worked for six years in environmental management and due diligence projects. He then worked for six years at the Royal Netherlands’ Paper and Board Association, also representing the Dutch industry in Brussels. Marco worked as the Director-General of CEPI - Confederation of European Paper Industries. Marco Mensink holds a Master of Science Degree in Forestry and Business Management from the Agricultural University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.

S Ramachandran

Executive Vice President – Environment

Thermax

"Thermax performance chemicals are tailored to give world class performance while using alternate quality raw materials, enabling customers to ensure their product quality".

Experienced India Corporate Business Leader in the Water Industry and B-2-B markets. Competences of loss-making business turnaround, creating profitable growth, Go-to-Market initiatives, and New Business launch. Two and a half decades of in-depth experience in the Indian Water industry covering Equipment, Consumables and Service segments. Unique skills of Medium and Small Enterprise access, through direct or dealer type operation, and of getting B2B products successfully to a fifty thousand mid-market base. A successful cultural bridge between East and West, launching western products adapted to Indian Markets. Mr. Ramachandran worked as an Executive Vice President – Environment for 6 years. Currently, he is working as a Management Consultant for SR Consultants. He had done his graduation from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and PGDM from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Erwin Polmann

Public Relation

Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS)

"With our strong research capacity and being part of a European research network we have excellent conditions to support our customers to encounter this challenges successfully".

"PTS is a foundation of the German paper Industry. That includes paper manufacturers, paper converts and the supplying industries. The Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS) provides support to companies from all sectors in the development and application of modern fibre-based solutions based on research & development, consultancy, measurement engineering and training."

Marcel Lensvelt

Managing Director

Feltest Equipment BV

"Feltest Equipment BV focusses on the needs of the Production Manager and Super-intendent, especially when they want to trouble-shoot or optimize the runnability of the Paper Machine".

During his 12 years of experience in the sales & service of Paper Machine Clothing, Marcel was continuously frustrated by the poor performance and reliability of available gauges. Something had to be done! In 2002 he started his company Feltest Equipment BV. Feltest aims to improve the professional quality and efficiency of all people who work with Paper Machine Clothing. Feltest offers specialized tools and measuring instruments that help to improve the performance of Paper Machine Clothing. One-stop-shop Feltest supply customers worldwide, from Europe (where it is based) to North, Central and South America, Australia, and (last but not least) Asia. Specialties: Specialized in service measurements on press felts of fast running graphic paper machines, including a thorough interpretation of the test results.

Mr. Gagan Sahni

Exhibition Director

International Trade and Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd (ITEI)

"ITE believes in Creating Markets for its exhibitors. Quality and Innovation are the sole factors which drives ITE’s business across the globe".

Mr. Gagan Sahni started his professional career with Godrej FMCG division but within one year got the chance to work for the exhibition industry. Then he Joined Tafcon as a trainee in 1999, worked for various shows, and after 11 years left as General Manager in 2010. Worked with ITEI, an Indian subsidiary of ITE Group plc, UK for last 8 years he had been associated with over 100 international events in last 19 years on various industries like Construction, Dairy & Food processing, Education, Engineering & Manufacturing, Environment, Metals, Machine Tools, Mining, Paper, Packaging, Poultry, Travel & Tourism, etc. Currently, Gagan Sahni is the Director- Business Development at Hyve India.

Gustavo Lascurain

Gustavo Lascurain

Managing Director

Pasaban S.A.

"Pasaban’s product values are based on precision, quality, reliability and profitability. Offering customized and comprehensive solutions if needed we can solve the most difficult challenges".

Mr. Gustavo graduated from Tecnun - Universidad de Navarra. He started working as a Consultor with Tekniker and Accenture Espana. Then he joined Goialde S.L as Director de planta and moved on as Director Gerente in the same company. He worked as Director-General for Pasaban S.A for 10 years. Currently, he is serving as the Director-General for Egile Mechanics in the company "EGILE".

Prof. Dr. Frank Miletzky

Prof. Dr. Frank Miletzky

President

Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS)

"With “New Materials” we introduce our know-how on fibre properties into future markets. Innovative paper products make completely new applications possible - sustainable and eco-efficient but without wasting resources".

The PAT which is described in ISO 18916:2007 is not a new test method, at all. But until recently, there was only one major laboratory in the world that could do the PAT for you.

"Having an integrated production network with factories in Germany, Brazil, America, China and India all producing pumps to identical specifications we are able to manufacture and supply pumps and spares locally."

Roger started working as a Business Unit Manager Chemical Pulp + Paper at NETZSCH Pumpen und Systeme GmbH from 2001 to date. His keen interests are mainly Mining news & Networking, Flottweg Separation Technology, and Pump Users Forum.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Franz Durst

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Franz Durst

Shareholder

FMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH

"The slot dies of FMP Technology have been designed and built to work in various fields where coating and drying of thin liquid films are of interest, among them the paper industry".

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Franz Durst (FMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH) studied Aeronautical Engineering at the Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany, and Process Engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, England. He graduated from Imperial College at London University and received his doctor’s degree in 1972 (Ph.D.). In 1972, he returned to Germany and worked as subproject leader of various research projects at the Collaborative Research Center 80 at the University of Karlsruhe for ten years. Prof. Durst was offered a C3 professorship for Fluid Mechanics at the University of Karlsruhe in 1978 and was appointed chair of the Institute of Fluid Mechanics at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 1982. He developed this institute into one of the most important institutes for fluid mechanics on a national and international level. During his active time at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg he worked at several universities abroad. He has been awarded many prizes for his research work and, at present, is member of four academies, among them the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2006, Prof. Durst retired from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and founded the company FMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH, whose CEO and shareholder he had been. This company is involved in coating and drying technologies.

Altheimer

Altheimer

co-founder and Managing Director

BBA Biotech

"All our efforts are aimed at optimizing processes and manufacturing products that reduce environmental impact or even promote environmental sustainability".

Founder and CEO of BBA ECOTECH and one of inventors of BATP®, with 30+ year experience in industrial biotechnologies, specialized in building businesses and managing a portfolio of new bio applications.

Luca Mazzotti

Luca Mazzotti

Operations Manager

MAFLEX

"The main theme of the entire MAFLEX product portfolio is continuous improvement, and it is a key to success in our 4.0 revolution".

Mr. Luca started his career as a Service Technician in Fosber America. He then joined Maflex S.R.L as Operations Manager & HR Director where he worked for 12 years. He is currently working as the Vice President of Maflex America, Inc.

Bhupinder Singh

Bhupinder Singh

Chief Executive Officer

Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd.

"We at Messe Muenchen India have been bringing the thought leaders, technology providers and government officials together at one platform to offer right technologies".

Innovative and results driven leader, focused on achieving exceptional results in highly competitive environments that demand continuous improvement. With over 14 years of experience in Trade Fair industry. The key areas of expertise involve Conceptualizing and launching trade shows, Develop new markets, Cuttings costs, Relationship management, General management, Business planning, International business development, financial acumen, Increasing sales. Personal Skills involve : Decision making, “Can do” attitude, Target driven. He is the current CEO of Messe Muenchen India Pvt Ltd.