Monday, October 27 - Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Chicago, IL
Specialty Papers US is the premier event in North America dedicated to showcasing innovation in the specialty papers industry. This event provides a unique opportunity for experts to come together and drive conversation around market influencers, hear ideas and insights from different parts of the supply chain, and become knowledgeable about innovations and market insights that will improve their business.
Learn More About This Industry-Leading Event
Features of the 2024 Event:
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
As the largest and fastest-growing manufacturer of specialty papers in North America, Pixelle Specialty Solutions® offers a comprehensive portfolio of products that make life look better every day. From the first cup of to-go coffee in the morning to the bestsellers we read at night, we improve life through innovation, quality and expertise. Our high-performance solutions help customers achieve superior converting results for products that boost brand appeal, improve user experience and support sustainability goals. Let’s work together to make life a little better.
A FORCE FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
The solutions you need to achieve your operational and sustainability goals and to maintain clean and healthy water.
No specialty chemical supplier is better than Solenis at driving sustainability and operational efficiency and delivering clean and healthy water.
Whether you need to reduce your environmental impact, improve the profitability of your operation, or maintain clean and healthy water conditions, we offer a myriad of water treatment solutions to help you achieve your goals.
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)
Dean Benjamin received a B.S. degree in Paper Science and Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. While at Minnesota, he studied computational and experimental fluid mechanics of the roll coating process under Professor L.E. Scriven.
Upon graduation, Dean joined Avery Dennison as a Research Engineer at the Avery Research Center in Pasadena, CA where he led projects to develop coating processes for the production of pressure sensitive labels and tapes.
Dean then joined Consolidated Papers, Inc. as a Senior Research Engineer at their R&D facility in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. His research focused on developing new coating and finishing equipment and he eventually became the manager of the Coater Research & Engineering Department. He also worked in the areas of coating color preparation, paper finishing technology, high-speed coaters, fountain applications, corrosion engineering, kraft chemical recovery systems and product development. Dean then became the manager of the Product Development - Publication Papers where he worked on a variety of product developments including high bulk paper, alternative finish paper and high brightness, carbonate based paper coatings, and later was appointed as Director of Research for NewPage.
Guido Schmitz is an accomplished professional with over 44 years of international experience in the consumer healthcare industry, specializing in packaging, branding, design, and process technology innovation. Throughout his career, he has developed several groundbreaking technologies for various Bayer Consumer Health production sites, leading to the creation of many innovative products.
Recognized for his expertise and contributions to the field, Guido serves as a respected member of the Rutgers Advisory Board for packaging engineering education, where he shares his knowledge and insights with aspiring packaging professionals.
In 2016, he became an agile professor at Rutgers University, where he teaches Product Design and Packaging Innovation during the fall semester and he mentors Packaging Engineering students senior projects during the spring semester, truly nurturing the next generation of packaging engineers.
Guido’s commitment to advancing the industry extends beyond academia, as he is a board member at the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA).
Driven by a passion for sustainability and environmental responsibility, Guido founded InnCreReal, an organization focused on innovating new product concept solutions made from renewable raw materials. Its goal is to create structurally unique products optimized for a circular economy cycle, enabling complete recycling and reuse.
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.
Murray Ross has dedicated his entire 36-year career to the Specialty Papers division at Domtar. He spent the majority of this time at the innovative Espanola Mill site, initially working in and later managing the New Product Development team. Currently, Murray oversees the specialty grades across all production facilities, including Resolute and Catalyst.
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.
Jill has spent over 30 years in marketing, with the past 20 years specifically in print and paper manufacturing. She uses that perspective and understanding in her role at Two Sides North America to help address the environmental misconceptions faced by the industry. Working closely with sustainability experts, she understands the importance of clear communication, engagement and transparency when it comes to telling the important story of forestry, paper and the value of print in our daily lives.
Jill is also a partner at Bubble & Hatch Marketing.
