SUOMINEN INNOVATING IN SUSTAINABILITY SEMINAR
March 19–20, 2025
Arona, Italy
Suominen Innovating in Sustainability Seminar brings together professionals from across the nonwoven production value chain. Building on the excellent feedback from the two previous editions, we are now eager to host the seminar in Arona, Italy.
Speakers
Sebastian Funtan
Laboratory Manager
UPM Biochemicals
Dr. Sebastian Funtan studied chemistry at the Martin Luther University in Halle (Saale). During his studies he discovered his fascination for polymers, a class of molecules that offers almost endless application possibilities. He currently works at UPM Biochemicals, which in the future will produce bio-based chemicals from beech wood in Leuna, Germany. His position as laboratory manager for the application development of glycols allows him to combine his excitement for polymers with his interest to create sustainable products. One of his main research interests is PET, a polymer that is essential for the production of both textiles and bottles and that can be partially produced from renewable materials by using UPMs BioMEG (BioPura).
Dr Anu Kettunen
Ph.D., Senior Expert
KCL, Finland
Anu leads the microbiology team and hence strongly supports KCL strategy as a strong player in green transition towards sustainability. Anu holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Helsinki University of Technology (nowadays Aalto University) and has 25 years of experience in process and end product hygiene control in various industrial sectors from food processes to forest industry. Her scientific background combined with her profound understanding of process dynamics enabled her to develop novel analytical tools to dramatically improve the nonwoven storage turnover.
Søren Tang Klint
Fibers Technical Sales Support Lead EMEA
Indorama Ventures
Søren Klint studied chemistry at the University of Odense and holds a M.Sc. degree in Chemistry. Chemical structures and polymers became his area of expertise that took him to a long-standing career of 28 years in the synthetic fiber industry. While the company now to be Indorama Ventures has changed names many times, a firm holding point in the fibers segment has been the knowledge, insight, and problem-solving skills he has brought in various functions. He has had roles of national, regional, and global responsibilities focusing on delivering added value for the customers bringing material expertise into innovation for fibers, nonwovens, and applications. Søren has been working along the entire supply chain in support of the business growth for the fibers segment of Indorama Ventures as a global industry leader - producing indispensable chemistry that benefits billions of people and our planet every day.
Noora Lindberg
Director, Sustainability & Marketing
Suominen Corporation
As a Director, Sustainability & Marketing, Noora leads various corporate level sustainability projects and initiatives, develops product sustainability and drives Suominen’s sustainability agenda. She also leads Suominen’s marketing communications, company brand and corporate level events. Noora works together with sales and other functions in diverse marketing and sustainability related topics. Noora holds a M.Sc. (Tech) degree in Environmental Management and is specialized in climate change related solutions.
Brieuc Lits
Public Affairs Director
EDANA
Brieuc Lits is the Public Affairs Director at EDANA, joining the organization in June 2024. In this role, Brieuc oversees the advocacy activities of the association, including fostering relationships with EU stakeholders. Prior to this, he worked in public affairs and communications at various European associations, focusing on sustainability, energy, employment and chemical legislation. Brieuc holds a PhD in Political Communication from the Université libre de Bruxelles, where his doctoral dissertation centered on EU lobbying.
Marko Ruottinen
Sustainability Manager
Metsä Fibre Oy
Marko has over 20 years’ experience in pulp and paper industry, expertise gathered from R&D, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing and Sustainability. Strong expertise in Sustainability, current responsibilities include all ESG aspects.
Veera Vaajasalmi
Manager, Innovation and Technology
Suominen Corporation
Veera has been leading R&D related teams and projects for 20 years. She is a strong team player with innovative mind and leadership attitude. In Suominen Corporation she leads a team responsible for pilot line and R&D laboratory activities. She also works as project manager for Suominen innovation and technology projects on the global level. Veera holds a M.Sc. (Food Science) degree from University of Helsinki, specialized in economics and packaging technology.
News
Carded-Pulp-Carded technology – a sustainable high-performance nonwoven solution
The Carded-Pulp-Carded (CPC) manufacturing process is an innovative, multi-layer nonwoven technology that combines sustainability with high performance. By integrating a pulp-based core between two layers of carded fibers, CPC delivers a unique mix of absorbency and drapability. Suominen operates the technology at its Cressa, Italy site and has announced an investment to expand CPC production to Alicante, Spain.
Contacts
Maria Thielbar
Manager, Innovation & Technology
maria.thielbar@suominencorp.com