Monday, October 27 - Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Chicago, IL
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Jon Gertsmeier is a sales director for AMP, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered sortation at scale for the waste and recycling industry. He works with industry leaders to deploy AI-enabled retrofit and facility-scale solutions that increase productivity, overcome labor challenges, maximize purity rates, and generate more revenue for their recycling businesses.
Gertsmeier has more than 15 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry and a deep understanding of day-to-day MRF operations and the challenges of running a successful business. A trusted leader in the industry, he has held multiple roles in sales management and business development. He received a bachelor’s degree in business management from Indiana University.
Bio to come!
I have been in the packaging and labels industry for 25+ years, representing all points in the value chain. The past 4 years has been spent with UPM, identifying and driving PS label solutions that provide sustainable (recyclable/compostable) and actionable changes. Recently moved to UPM Specialty Papers (Packaging Papers Group- since 2/25), looking to replace filmic solutions with barrier and coated one side paper for packaging applications.
Romain Metivet is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cellulotech, which has developed a breakthrough solvent-free cellulose functionalization process enabling repulpable, cost-effective barriers and entirely new high-value paper products that were not possible before. Cellulotech partners with leading companies to create sustainable packaging solutions and unlock novel applications for paper in multiple industries.
Scott drives business development and leads the Applications group in barrier coatings for Solenis. Scott joined Solenis several years ago after seeing the paper industry from many angles, working as a process engineer, specialty paper machine superintendent, quality control manager, director of sustainability and product stewardship, product development and innovation manager, product manager, special projects manager, and finally paper sales manager. Most of his 25 years in paper where focused on specialty papers, including pressure sensitive labels, release liners, food service and packaging papers, wet-strength and engineered papers and developing barrier coated papers. The last several years, Scott has been with Solenis promoting their barrier coatings to the industry, furthering the sustainability advantage of paper as a packaging alternative. Scott also had an alternate 20-year career in the US Army and Wisconsin National Guard, retiring as a First Sergeant and leading two separate year-long deployments to the Middle East.
Jason Bergquist is the Vice President of US Operations at RecycleMe, the consulting division of Reclay Group International. With over 35 years of expertise, Jason has led commercial and municipal waste divisions, material recovery operations, and bottle bill redemption in Maine, New York, and California. Throughout his career, he has worked in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and brings a global perspective to recycling. He holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from John F. Kennedy University of Law and has advised on Superfund compliance, beverage container deposit law and hazardous waste management.
Archroma is a global, diversified provider of specialty chemicals serving the branded and performance textiles, packaging and paper, and coatings, adhesives and sealants markets.
Headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, the company operates a highly integrated, customer-focused platform that delivers specialized performance and color solutions in over 100 countries.
Archroma works with 2,800 employees in 31 countries and with 25 production sites.
Kuraray is a leading global specialty chemical company that pioneers, manufactures and sells resins, chemicals, activated carbon, fibers, textiles, specialty dental materials and other highly functional products that improve the environment and enhance quality of life throughout the world. The company’s diverse product portfolio provides critical solutions for industries such as automotive, agriculture, aerospace, paper and packaging, oil & gas, medical and consumer goods.
Founded in 1926, Kuraray operates in 32 countries and regions. Its North America subsidiary, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI), was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Houston. Kuraray America operates top-of-the-line production and research facilities in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia. The North American division produces nearly 80% of its extensive product portfolio domestically, emphasizing Kuraray’s deep commitment to local production.
Sustainability is at the heart of Kuraray America’s product innovation and operational excellence – from its use of renewable and recyclable feedstocks to instituting circular economy practices at its sites. Guided by three pillars—people, product and planet—the company is committed to safety, excellence and environmental responsibility. Central to Kuraray America’s mission is its global sustainability strategy known as Kuraray Group Medium-Term Management Plan “Passion 2026”. This strategic framework aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. By focusing on these goals and consistently leveraging pioneering technology, Kuraray continues its mission to deliver new sustainable solutions that support people and the planet
Thanks to our long experience in the paper and board industry, we have developed a large range of products that answers very specific needs with a constant focus for optimized production, improved performance and quality, low operational and installation costs and high energy efficiency.
Our product line includes all reliable and state-of-the-art infrared drying and air drying systems, and with our experienced teams, we will provide you with the required resources and expertise to analyze and resolve your specific drying requirements.
We supply complete drying solutions for new machines and coaters as well as complete upgrades of existing dryers for:
· coat drying (including barrier coatings)
· quality control
· energy optimization
· production increase
Today, more than 2,000 systems have already been installed in manufacturing plants of most major paper groups anywhere on every continent. Many of these systems are repeat orders. We include services for installation, maintenance and spare parts supply accross the globe.
We have references for virtually all coated paper & board grades and specialty paper & board grades.
Contact us: paper@ircon-solaronics.com
Steve Ottone is the holder of a BS and MS in Wood Science from the Pennsylvania State University. His career started in the paper industry with work for Container Corporation of America, St. Regis Paper, and Champion International. He then moved to the supplier side, working in latex supply to the paper industry for Reichhold, Inc., Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, and Mallard Creek Polymers. He worked for 7 years with a supplier of ground calcium carbonate into the paper industry. He’s currently a Technical Service Representative with Mallard Creek Polymers, a leading supplier of latex polymers for barrier coatings. His area of emphasis is polymer and rheology modifier solutions to barrier coatings needs.
Gary is a mission-driven professional focused on advancing Sustainability for high-volume consumer goods. Sustainability challenges us to think differently. It challenges us to innovate and build systems solutions. Gary’s 30-years of diverse professional experience with global brands has prepared him well for this mission.
Gary started as a research scientist for Kraft Foods. This cultivated curiosity as a challenger, and analysis skills for building disruptive innovations. This is also when Gary became committed to Sustainability after the launch of his first consumer package into retail.
Gary has served in a multitude of leadership assignments. Each uniquely demonstrating his strength and diversity. Gary’s experience includes Global Manufacturing Engineer in India with the Amway Corporation, Sr. Manager New Product Development with Newell Rubbermaid, Director of Purchasing and Packaging for a global chemical company, and he was the first to build the packaging department for The Home Depot. As an innovator, Gary led development of a disruptive fiber technology for BillerudKorsnäs called Fibreform, a 3D cold formable paper to displace plastics.
Gary served a rotation in public policy, strategy, and government affairs for an Israeli based certified compostable biopolymer company called Tipa.
Gary currently operates as a fractional professional helping a portfolio of clients advance their Sustainability and innovation strategies. Gary is actively accepting new clients.
Scott McNutt has over 40 years of experience in the paper industry, with a focus on process and product knowledge in the disciplines of papermaking, quality, engineering, operations management, Lean/Six Sigma, product development and innovation. He is well-versed in the downstream converting processes and end use requirements for cut sheet, QSR, flexible packaging, and technical specialty grades.
He started his career in specialty paper at Dunn Paper, serving in roles process engineering, quality management, and product dev. He transitioned to Fine Paper with Willamette and was part of the effort to infuse state-of-the-art papermaking technology into the fine paper industry in the US. He then managed the production operations for Wausau Papers, returning to his specialty paper roots. To bring his career full circle, he returned to Dunn Paper in Port Huron to drive operations success and innovation.
He has toured a vast number of pulp and paper mills in the US and abroad, exploring new technology. Scott has been a member of TAPPI since 1985, attending numerous events at the local Chapters as well as annual Conferences. In addition, he has been active in the Smithers Specialty Papers Conferences in Europe and North America. He is currently active in the TAPPI Mentor program and recently joined the Tappi Nanotechnology subcommittee.
His primary focus now with Nextep Partners LLC Consulting is on paper innovations for sustainable packaging applications.
Brad Hartong supports Application Development at Primient.
Brad’s career spans 19 years across both the chemical and paper industries. Much of his work has been focused on barrier chemistries development as well as paper coatings.
Brad eared a Paper Science and Engineering, BS degree from Miami University in Ohio as well as completed advanced degrees (Masters and PhD) in the same field from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology.
Dave Magda is the Sr. Director of Innovation & Business Development for Pixelle Specialty Solutions, headquartered in Spring Grove, PA. He has 35+ years of industry experience with multiple chemical suppliers and paper manufacturing companies. Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in Paper Science & Engineering and an MBA in Technology Management.
Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni is the founder and President of KoolEarth Solutions Inc., a technical consulting and business development company focused on helping companies develop and commercialize new sustainable packaging solutions as well as to improve the sustainability footprint of existing packaging and to reduce/eliminate packaging waste. He is also VP, Plastics and Packaging at Ubuntoo (www.ubuntoo.com), a unique environmental solutions platform to address plastic waste, plastic litter, food waste, sustainable fashion and so on.
Sandeep has over 20 years of industry experience working for several large packaging companies, such as International Paper, Neenah Paper and Georgia Pacific. Most recently he worked for PepsiCo, in the area of sustainable beverage packaging. His diverse expertise includes recycling, bioplastics, paper based as well as molded fiber packaging. Sandeep has 7 granted patents as well as several publications in industry journals. He has also served on conference advisory boards and has delivered several invited presentations, at international conferences, on the topics of sustainability and sustainable packaging. Sandeep serves as an Adjunct Professor at The Packaging School (a spinoff from Clemson University) as well as the North Carolina State University. Recently he was elected to serve as member of the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) for 3 year term (2021-2024)
