Moulded Fibre Packaging Europe is a brand new conference, launched in 2025, focused exclusively on bringing together paper and fibre-based packaging industry professionals seeking to advance sustainable packaging solutions, to discuss new ideas and opportunities and network with high-level players from across the supply chain.
Previous attendees include Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Huhtamaki, MM Group, Nouryon, Fibenol, SNF, Leader Paper Products and many more.
Who should attend?
Everyone involved across the packaging value chain who has an interest in formed paper and moulded fibre packaging. This includes brand owners, converters, regulators, recyclers, global manufacturers, equipment and service providers and suppliers.
Pre-Conference Workshop: Functional Barriers for Moulded Pulp Packaging: Material Structure, Lamination and Coatings
Tuesday 26 May 2026 | 13:30 - 17:00
This half‑day workshop gives a high‑level but technically comprehensive overview of how to design and implement functional barrier systems for moulded pulp packaging. Building on industrial case studies and the latest R&D, we will cover the role of moulded pulp substrate properties (density, smoothness, porosity), the choice between lamination films and coatings, and how substrate–coating interactions affect barrier performance, recyclability and cost.
Participants will learn which barrier levels are needed for different food and non‑food applications (water, water vapour, oxygen, grease/oil, mineral oil, aroma), how to build up barrier stacks using coatings, laminates and hybrid concepts, and what is realistically achievable with compostable and “plastic‑free” chemistries today. We will also discuss process technologies for 3D objects (spray, dip/flow coating, drying, plasma coating (PECVD)) and typical defect mechanisms such as pinholes and poor coverage.
The conference covered key topics including:
 |
 |
 |
Anna Altner is a pioneering entrepreneur and industrial technologist advancing innovation in fiber-based packaging. With 20+ years of experience in manufacturing, materials science, fiber innovation, and scalable production, she has built her career at the intersection of deep technology and industrial impact.
In 2014, she founded The Loop Factory, an innovation hub for circular materials and technologies. Building on more than a decade of applied R&D, Anna launched Yangi ® in 2021, a global packaging solutions company, and its unique Cellera® dry forming technology, transforming how fiber-based packaging is designed, manufactured, and scaled.
Today, she leads the commercialization of dry forming, delivering industrial-ready solutions that are redefining what’s possible in fiber-based packaging. Anna believes the future of packaging will be shaped by rethinking production systems, combining industrial intelligence, collaboration, and circular design to deliver scalable, high-impact solutions.
Tahsin Dag, President of the European Moulded Pulp Producer Association (EMPPA) and Founder & Chief Executive Officer, PAPACKS Sales GmbH
Tahsin Dag is a recognised leader in sustainable packaging innovation. He pursues his vision to replace single-use plastics through fibre-based packaging solutions. As President of EMPPA, he acts as a sustainability advisor to European policymakers and industry leaders, advocating for circular economy and bio-based packaging solutions. For his company PAPACKS, he spearheaded the development of moulded fibre packaging technologies, securing over 100 patent families and 50 international awards.
In 2024, Tahsin Dag was named CEO of the Year in the packaging industry by European CEO for his contributions to sustainable packaging and circular economy principles. Before establishing PAPACKS, Tahsin gained extensive experience in the beverage industry, holding senior positions at globally operating beverage companys, which shaped his understanding of packaging challenges and sustainability needs.
Dr. Chuantao Zhu holds a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry from Stockholm University, Sweden. In 2020, he joined Stora Enso’s Formed Fiber unit, where he began working in the molded fiber industry. As a Research Specialist and Project Leader, his responsibilities covered not only wet-end solutions but also focused extensively on dispersion barrier applications and technology development. Since 2024, Dr. Zhu has held a global position at Solenis, supporting customers across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. He provides consulting services, molded fiber (MF) technology training, and on-site support for production trials. In addition to his technical expertise, Dr. Zhu leverages his broad network within the molded fiber supply chain to help customers connect with resources that enhance their R&D and production capabilities, creating added value beyond technical consulting.
Janet Preston has worked in IMERYS Minerals for over 30 years in the areas of
coatings and minerals research, including paper coating, paper filling, paints and inks
and in printing science.
Whilst working at Imerys Janet graduated from University of Plymouth with an
honours degree in Applied Chemistry. She then gained a PhD in Chemistry with the
Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol, where she studied ink and coated
paper interactions. Janet has around 100 publications in this area. She is currently a
senior technical support specialist & scientist in the company’s Paper & Board group
and is working in the area of paper, board, pulp & printing.
In 2007 Janet was appointed as an Adjunct Professor (Docent) at Abo Akademi
University in Finland. She is a Chartered Chemist & Member of the Royal Society of
Chemistry.
Ciaran is responsible for delivering Smithers global growth initiatives and supporting Smithers Asian client base.
Ciaran has been working for Smithers for nearly twenty years supporting the packaging, print and paper value chains with key market and technical information in the form of conferences, reports and consulting. Ciaran has worked on winning and delivering a wide range of market consultancy projects to major industry players, recent projects include a global assessment of printing and packaging growth trends and market assessment for a major new product launch for one of the world’s largest packaging converters.
Ciaran has launched and managed many international conferences in this sector including Digital Print for Packaging, SustPack, Specialty Papers and Print Futures.
Ciaran is responsible for delivering Smithers global growth initiatives and supporting Smithers Asian client base.
Dr. Jörg Zacharias completed his studies in food science in 1997 and earned his doctorate at the Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan, where he continues to lecture. In 2005, he joined Krones AG in research and development, where he plays a key role in developing pioneering technologies. He is an expert in beverage technology and is involved in industry associations such as the EBC, EHEDG, and ISBT.
Janet Preston has worked in IMERYS Minerals for over 30 years in the areas of
coatings and minerals research, including paper coating, paper filling, paints and inks
and in printing science.
Whilst working at Imerys Janet graduated from University of Plymouth with an
honours degree in Applied Chemistry. She then gained a PhD in Chemistry with the
Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol, where she studied ink and coated
paper interactions. Janet has around 100 publications in this area. She is currently a
senior technical support specialist & scientist in the company’s Paper & Board group
and is working in the area of paper, board, pulp & printing.
In 2007 Janet was appointed as an Adjunct Professor (Docent) at Abo Akademi
University in Finland. She is a Chartered Chemist & Member of the Royal Society of
Chemistry.
Alexey Vishtal is working at Capsul’in Pro as a Head of Cellulose development and focusing on bringing home-compostable pulp-based solutions for single-serve beverage systems to the market. He has more than 15 years of experience in various roles in FMCG, material and process development with a focus on packaging sustainability. His core abilities lie in the bringing novel innovative packaging concepts into industrial use, from idea conceptualization to CAPEX and operational excellence. He also has strong academic background in paper physics, barrier coatings, and packaging converting where he authored more than 20 peer-reviewed papers and hold 10+ international patents
Björn Lindqvist is Strategic Projects Leader at Solenis, Customer Applications Laboratories, driving innovation and transformation through high-impact customer engagements in the packaging and paper sectors. With over 30 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, Björn has held diverse roles across several European countries and various companies, including board production and supplier roles in pigments and specialty chemicals.
Throughout his career, Björn has consistently focused on driving value through collaboration, technology, and forward-thinking solutions. His current work at Solenis involves strategically important projects that not only support client success but also have the potential to reshape industry standards, practices including initiatives that explore emerging paradigms—helping the industry adapt to evolving market demands and sustainability goals.
Björn holds a M.Sc. from Åbo Akademi
Dr George Kellie is chairman of KellieTechnologies™, a leading UK marketing and technology company. Dr Kellie’s businesses have been in existence for nearly 20 years and have a strong reputation and expertise in composites nonwovens, plastics, and sustainability strategies.
In the field of nonwovens materials, KellieTechnologies™ has been particularly active, working on specific applications and generating detailed market assessment and new concepts. Recent work has included submissions on nanotechnology to the UK House of Lords Science & Technology Committee.
George is the editor of “Advances in Technical Nonwovens, 1st Edition” published by Elsevier.
In the packaging field, Kellie Solutions have been very active in areas such as biodegradable and “plastics free” packaging as well as the development of advanced recyclable barrier coatings
George Kellie has also published a series of ground-breaking reviews on Nonwovens in Packaging.
Born in the UK, educated in Rhodesia and South Africa, Stephen Harrod spent eleven years building a market research company in South Africa, focussed on the paper and packaging industry in that country, following which he spent six years in the paper industry with Mondi and JAC Labels before relocating to England. He has been consulting on ad-hoc projects and authoring reports for Smithers since 2006, with a focus on global paper and packaging markets. Stephen is responsible for a range of Smithers market reports including the Global Corrugated Market, the Global Folding Carton Market, Retail Ready Packaging, Liquid Packaging Board, Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging and many others.
