Mr. Martin Clemesha graduated as a materials science engineer at the Polytechnic School of São Paulo University in 2001 and has a post-graduation degree in Packaging Engineering. He has a 14 year experience in Customer technical support within the polymer in­dustry. During these years he has served several segments mostly related to plastic packaging production in Brazil, South America and Europe. As market development engineer worked on proj­ects involving the replacement of traditional materials in the paint packaging and medical packaging industries. Today his role is to serve current customers and increase the market for Braskem’s I’m GreenTM polyethylene in Europe.

Dr. Ashok M. Adur has over thirty five years of experience in the international plastics industry as a consultant and in technical and commercial management roles. His experience includes success in R&D, product, process & business development, sales & marketing, technical service, introduction & commercialization of new products, business & general management at chemical, plastics and packag­ing companies such as Chemplex Co. (now part of Lyondell-Basell), Air Products & Chemicals, BP Chemicals, International Paper, Poly­One and Crane Plastics. He earned a Ph.D. in Polymer Science & En­gineering and completed a mini-MBA course on Executive Entrepre­neurship. He has published 15 papers in professional journals and presented over 60 papers at regional, national and international professional conferences and moderated and organized some con­ferences. He is considered an expert in polymer compounding and compatibilization of multi-component systems as well as in develop­ing strategies for patenting and intellectual property issues in poly­mers and plastics. He is currently Global Commercial Development Director for Plastics at Vertellus Specialties Inc., a global US-based specialty chemicals company, where he has global responsibility for strategic positioning, intellectual property, marketing, development and introduction of new products for the plastics industry.

Heiko Ruhl is a global corporate strategic account manager for the automotive industry at PolyOne Corporation. He holds a master’s degree in plastic engineering from the UAS Würzburg. Heiko started his career as processing engineer at REHAU AG&Co. in Rehau in 1993. He worked over the last 17 years Heiko in multiple roles with the automotive OEMs and their suppliers to develop thermoplastic applications and bring new products and technologies into the mar­ket. After gaining experience in technical and marketing roles at GE Plastics (now SABIC Innovative Plastics) and as Head of Air-Water- Management at REHAU AG&Co, Heiko joined PolyOne in 2012.

J. P. Wiese has a passion and curiosity for how things are made, and how we can make them better. Growing up in Japan and graduat­ing from Michigan State University, he unwittingly endeavored to create one of the most roundabout career paths that accidentally brought him into the industry he has grown to love – plastics. He spends what little spare time he has exploring new ideas, enjoying the company of industrial designers, learning his third language – Spanish (though it’s still mucho bad) and figuring out how to chan­nel his daughter’s tremendous creative energy (which she came by very naturally).

Marc Kirchhoff finished his study of mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH) in 2006. Afterwards he worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Laser and System Technology (iLAS – TUHH) in the field of welding and cutting. From the year 2009 on, he worked simultaneous at the LZN Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH, a spin-off of the iLAS, as head of makro-department. In 2013, he started working as industry manager automotive at TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH, responsible for the industry e-mobility and lightweight design. From 2016, he became head of industry and key account management automotive at TRUMPF.

Christoph Engelmann studied industrial engineering and econom­ics from 10/2004 - 07/2011 at RWTH Aachen University with spe­cialization in automotive engineering and logistics. He entered the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) in the group mi­crojoining in 10/2011 and since 06/2014 he is heading the team “Polymer Processing” at Fraunhofer ILT. He has huge experiences in laser cutting and joining of plastics and in lightweight applications such as hybrid joints between plastic and metal and joining of fiber-reinforced plastics.

 Matt Melonio is the Vice President of Design & Laser Applications at Custom Etch Inc. (CEI), a leading US texture supplier located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelors of Fine Art from Youngstown State University, with additional study at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and training with furniture designer/ maker Hank Gilpin. Matt’s work at Custom Etch began in 1991 and included every facet of design & production over the course of sev­eral years. With his new title of Vice President of Design in 2004, he contributed to CEI’s growth with his efforts in the implementation and integration of new technologies alongside existing technolo­gies, highlighted by the addition of GF Machining Solutions (GFMS) 5-axis laser technology. Custom Etch was the first texture supplier in North America to incorporate the use of 5-axis lasers in 2011 and, since then, Matt has overseen the installation of five GFMS 5-axis lasers at CEI’s Pennsylvania facility, including two L4000 5Ax gantry lasers - the world’s largest 5-axis laser texturing solution. Custom Etch remains the only company in North America with the L4000 5Ax gantry laser.

 Peter has been working in the polymer industry for 25 years in a number of different sectors including automotive, aerospace and recycling. Currently he is Head of Quality and Product Development at MBA Polymers UK. Peter holds a Polymer Science and Technology Degree from Manchester Metropolitan University and has recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Sustainable Value Chains at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leader­ship.