
Discover what’s shaping the future of the specialty papers industry.
The just-released agenda for Specialty Papers US 2025 is packed with can’t-miss presentations on fiber innovation, regulatory shifts, sustainable alternatives, end-use breakthroughs and more!
See who’s taking the stage in Chicago this October and explore the expertly-led sessions below.
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Dr. Johannes Zipfel studied chemistry with a focus on physical and macromolecular chemistry and completed his Ph.D. at the Faculty of Macromolecular Chemistry at the University of Freiburg, including a three-year research stay at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France.
In 2019, he took on the challenge of establishing DELSCI GmbH in Traun, Austria, as the exclusive research center of delfortgroup AG. As Managing Director, he is responsible for the company’s scientific, strategic, and business direction. The research of his team focuses on developing advanced paper-based materials to replace plastics in demanding packaging applications, enabling delfort’s customers to transition to more sustainable solutions.
He began his industrial career at Henkel, where he held various international leadership roles in R&D, quality, and supply chain management, contributing to global brands such as Persil, Somat, and Pril.
Since 2025, Dr. Zipfel has served as an expert in the CEN Technical Committee TC261/WG3/SG2, contributing to the development of technical specifications for paper packaging under the forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
From early 2024 to 2025, he co-led Workstream 1 (WS1) of the 4evergreen (4EG) initiative to develop the new CEPI recyclability evaluation protocol.
David Chacon is a Technical Service and Market Development Specialist for Plantic in the Americas. David holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela, and an MBA from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. David has over 25 years of experience in various industries, such as Oil & Gas, FMCG and, Paper and Plastic Packaging, This experience includes 20+ years in plastic extrusion and process management, packaging converting technologies, and market development. David supported the Plantic Australia business expansion for more than 13 years. In 2021, he moved to Houston and has been instrumental in developing the Plantic Market in the Americas.
Brian graduated from Virginia Tech with PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering. He started at Dow in 2008 as an applications scientist in the Paper Coatings business. He has held roles in R&D and technical service where he has developed binders with improved strength, hollow sphere pigments for thermal insulation and opacity, and barrier materials for food packaging.
In his current role, Jake drives marketing communications, product development, and commercialization for the industrial ingredients business at Ingredion. Jake’s background is working with chemical suppliers in the paper industry, having developed expertise in recycled linerboard manufacturing. Jake, his wife, and dog Cannoli are based out of Rhode Island.
Venkatapathi Sagi, a distinguished Technology Specialist at Honeywell Process Solutions in Charlotte, NC, boasts over 20 years of expertise in advanced controls for sheet manufacturing processes like Paper, Tire, Film and Tape, Aluminum foil and cold rolling with a focus on Paper Machine controls optimization. Holding a master’s in business Analytics from UNC Wilmington, he has deployed 250+ Honeywell Quality Control Systems worldwide, specialized in optimizing process controls for specialty paper grades ensuring consistent product quality and minimal waste., as detailed in his study " Golden Run Analytics: Leveraging AI to Improve Paper Machine Controls." Honored with Honeywell’s 2015 Chairman’s Award and PMT Asia excellence award, Sagi is a Senior Member of IEEE and ISA, driving innovation in sheet manufacturing efficiency and quality.
A representative voice in paper-based solutions with 20+ years’ experience in Paper & Packaging Industry, serving major Industrial, CPG Brands, Retailers and Private Labels, and E-Commerce provider. First point of contact in Mondi for Retailers and Brands on achieving Sustainability goals in packaging with flexible solutions (paper, plastic, hybrid) and circular business model. Holding a Civil Engineering Degree, MBA & Executive programs in Sales & Marketing Excellence from US Business Schools, and specialized in Business Sustainability, Net Zero, Circular Economy from the University of Cambridge. Grown in Venice (Italy), international market experience, living a multicultural family, passionate Sailor, Architect & Engineer of Sustainability in Business.
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.
Natasha Melton is a graduate from James Madison University with a degree in Biotechnology and over 10 years of experience in the paper and packaging industries. She has worked in R&D, engineering, and product development roles with a focus on sustainable packaging. At Earthodic, she leads the product team in the development of bio-based, circular barrier coatings. Her work in the industry has earned her TAPPI's Young Professional of the Year Award and Progressive Grocer's GenNext Award.
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.