After studying packaging and paper technology in Munich, Olga joined Kiefel in 2020 and has since built up the fiber laboratory and testing area. As a fiber specialist, she is responsible for the material side of our Kiefel fiber forming process - working closely with the service and engineering team to ensure the best quality for our customers' fiber products.

Having an expertise of product development in bioplastics and natural polymers, Benoît BERNY is a material engineer and his fields of expertise are innovation, packaging and large scale markets. Working at Lactips since 2020, Benoît is the conductor of our product ranges and leads the development of several projects thanks to his knowledges about our natural ingredient and industrial technology.

Kyler Lovgren is the Chief Executive Officer of Palouse Fiber Packaging, a U.S.-based company specializing in molded fiber product development, alternative fiber processing, and sustainable packaging innovation. Over the past decade, Kyler has led projects spanning pilot-scale development through commercial manufacturing, gaining hands-on experience in non-wood pulping, molded fiber process development, manufacturing operations, and commercialization. His background includes executive leadership of one of North America's pioneering wheat straw pulping initiatives and the development of next-generation molded fiber products utilizing both traditional and alternative fiber sources.

Today, Kyler's work focuses on expanding the use of regional feedstocks—including agricultural residues, recycled fibers, textiles, seaweed, wool, and other emerging fiber sources—to develop commercially viable packaging solutions. His approach combines practical manufacturing experience with product development and industrial scale-up, helping bridge the gap between innovative fiber technologies and commercial molded fiber production. He is an active advocate for advancing sustainable fiber-based packaging through technical innovation and regional resource utilization.

Victoria Scherzinger is a paper engineer with more than 16 years of experience in the paper and tissue industry. Her background spans engineering, product development and R&D, with a focus on fibre-based materials, tissue products and innovative applications for recycled and alternative fibres.

She combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of customer and market needs, supporting the development of fibre-based solutions for emerging applications and circular value chains.

Victoria works closely with customers, industry partners and research organisations to bring fibre innovations into practical applications and identify new opportunities for fibre-based materials.

Beyond her professional activities, she is actively engaged in industry associations and initiatives that promote innovation, diversity and future talent within the paper industry.

Dr. Gael Depres received his MS Degree in Pulp and Paper in 1996 from GRENOBLE INP Pagora and his Ph.D. in Process Engineering from INPG in France in 2000. He entered the group Arjowiggins in 1999 as a research Engineer and worked mainly on new products developments in the area of specialty papers, Fine Papers and Innovation. In 2019, he became R&D director for the group Arjowiggins and worked during many years on printing electronics, nanocellulose and barrier papers. Since 2023, he works as Senior Innovation & Grenoble R&D Center Manager at Fedrigoni group, leading the development of smart papers and nanocellulose.

Gael Depres wrote several articles and participated in many conferences in the area of intelligent paper, specialty papers and nanocellulose and holds more than 20 patents in the same fields.

Jerome Zhang, Senior R&D Engineer of YUTOECO R&D Institute,  experienced in research and development of environmentally friendly materials and products, focuses in particular on the synthetic biology, food science, and enzyme engineering.

Param is an electronics engineer academically, but an entrepreneur & sustainable packaging crusader at heart.

Param founded Valpack Solutions in 2012 to deliver a world-class & fully certified paper cups manufacturing facility & subsequently sold the business to Huhtamaki & also ran the foodservice business in India, first as a joint venture from 2016-2019, and later led the business professionally from 2019-2021. 

In 2023, he founded Fibmold Packaging with the sole focus of creating a global ecosystem to replace a wide range of rigid plastics thru molded fibre & allied materials. 

Today Fibmold works with some of the worlds leading brands across various categories ranging from foodservice, packaged foods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, & consumer products. Fibmold operates at the cutting edge of this material science with advanced branding & barrier properties & has developed innovative products to expand the scope of molded fibre applications.

He is also on the board of & part of the promoter family of Aryan Paper Group, one of India’s leading manufacturers of recycled kraft paper, paper bags, & corrugated cartons, with installed capacities of over 14,000 MT / month.

Dr. Salman Hassanzadeh is Senior Manager, Applications, New Ventures, EMEA at Kemira with more than 15 years of industrial experience in specialty chemicals, sustainable materials, and fiber-based packaging. Holding a PhD in Polymer Chemistry and a Master's degree in Managing Technology & Innovation, he has built a career at the intersection of innovation, business development, and commercialization. Salman has led multidisciplinary development teams and programs in sustainable packaging, barrier solutions, nonwovens, molded fiber technologies and advanced materials, helping transform innovative sustainable technologies into scalable commercial solutions.

Dr. Bernhard Kainz is an independent consultant for Barrier Coating Technologies.

Prior to his retirement, he worked as Senior Global Market &Technology Development Leader at Dow, where he spearheaded the advancement of Dow’s liquid barrier coating solutions - particularly for metal and fibre-based packaging applications.

Since joining Dow in 1990, he held multiple technical roles in Dow Epoxy Resins and Dow Coating Solutions and led the development of innovative aqueous dispersion barrier coating technologies for the packaging industry.

Dr. Kainz is credited with over 20 patents and has successfully commercialised more than 20 products.

 He holds master’s degrees in both Chemistry and Economics and earned a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry.

Dr. Kainz is also an active contributor to several industry task forces and associations, including representing Dow in 4evergreen, DIN, and CEN. He is currently a member of the steering group and several work streams of 4evergreen.