IMFA Webinar: The Fundamentals of Chemistry in Molded Fiber

Description

You asked, we answered

In recent member surveys and feedback, you’ve told us you want more educational content, more opportunities to learn, and more ways to connect and engage with the IMFA community throughout the year.

Developed by the IMFA Education Committee, our new technical education webinar programming will bring together industry experts to explore technical challenges, emerging solutions, and opportunities to improve molded fiber manufacturing and related processes. We’re excited to kick off this new initiative with our first webinar, Fundamentals of Chemistry in Molded Fiber.

Live webinars will be offered exclusively to IMFA members and will include dedicated time for discussion and Q&A. This inaugural session marks the beginning of the program and sets the foundation for additional technical topics throughout the year. These webinars, and our expanded Education Hub aim to give members more opportunities to access practical industry knowledge, learn from one another, and stay connected in between our gatherings each year at the Annual Conference.

Fundamentals of Chemistry in Molded Fiber

About the Session

Molded fiber begins with a seemingly simple combination of fiber, water and energy—but the chemistry within that system can have a significant impact on both manufacturing efficiency and finished-product performance.

Fundamentals of Chemistry in Molded Fiber will provide a practical introduction to how chemistry can be understood and optimized to improve performance, quality, and efficiency throughout the molded fiber manufacturing process. The session will explore the relationships between fiber, water, process conditions, and chemical programs, helping attendees better understand how changes within the system can influence production outcomes.

Rather than approaching chemistry as an isolated part of the manufacturing process, speakers will focus on understanding the system as a whole and identifying opportunities to optimize those relationships. An effective chemical program can contribute to increased production, improved product quality, reduced waste, and lower overall manufacturing costs.

What Members Can Expect

This session is designed to provide a useful foundation for molded fiber professionals across a range of technical experience levels. Attendees can expect practical explanations of the role chemistry plays within molded fiber manufacturing, examples of how chemical and process variables interact, and considerations that can help manufacturers identify opportunities for greater consistency, efficiency, and performance.

The presentation will be followed by a live Q&A, giving IMFA members the opportunity to ask questions and explore the topic directly with the speakers.

Meet the Speakers

Erik Heselmans Erik Heselmans is the Molded Fiber Business Development Leader for BIMKemi. He has a engineering degree in environmental Chemistry and his pulp and papermaking history dates back to 2003. He got in touch with Molded Fiber back in 2006 and it triggered him. In 2015, he became the Molded Fiber Segment team leader at BIMKemi. Since 2020, this role became a full time role, and since 2022, he has lead the startup of BIMKemi into North America. Today, he is working with all types of molded fiber production to help them understand and overcome issues that chemistry can bring and solve.

Roberto Hazera Roberto Hazera is an entrepreneur and specialty chemical professional with more than 25 years of experience spanning manufacturing, technical sales, business development, and chemical applications. He is VP of Sales at Babco Chemical and a founder of Elemental Innovations, where he works closely with manufacturers to develop and implement chemistry programs that improve process efficiency, product quality, and overall operational performance. Roberto has extensive experience in the pulp, paper, and molded fiber industries, with a particular focus on translating chemistry into measurable value on the production floor. His work includes strength and retention programs, drainage and productivity improvement, barrier and functional coatings, sizing, foam, and air control, and water treatment.