COMPETENCE IN PAPER

Newsletter

January 2026

From the board

First, we would like to wish all ZELLCHEMING association members a happy 2026!

Meeting of the Main Committee

In mid-January, the ZELLCHEMING Main Committee held its first meeting of the year. Items on the agenda included the results of the antitrust law workshop held at the end of 2025, the revision of the rules of procedure (scheduled for completion by the end of January), and various aspects of the association's work. Petra Hanke concluded the meeting by providing an update on the current preparations for Expo 2026 from ZELLCHEMING Service GmbH's perspective.

At the start of the meeting, the Executive Board and the heads of the technical committees thanked Prof. Dr. Markus Biesalski for his many years of successful work as Chairman of the Main Committee. Biesalski stepped down from his position in the summer of last year. The handover to Dr. rer. nat. Martin Zahel took place during the meeting. Fourteen members of the Main Committee attended in person at the Technical University of Darmstadt, and seven members attended online due to weather-related traffic disruptions.

Dr. Martin Zahel and Prof. Dr. Markus Biesalski

The lively discussions primarily focused on the association's work and how to further develop it. For instance, we discussed ways to increase collaboration between the technical committees to address cross-cutting issues together. The presentations for the “ZELLCHEMING Insights” program series at the expo are also taking shape. The technical committees for environmental issues (ENVI) and chemical additives (CHAD) have submitted their topics, and more will follow soon. 

Dr.-Ing. Frank P. Meltzer      Dr.-Ing. Tiemo Arndt
Chairman                               Deputy Chairman

Participants of the ZELLCHEMING Main Committee Meeting on January 13, 2026

Series of short interviews

In this and future newsletters, as well as on our social media channels, we will introduce the members of the new ZELLCHEMING Executive Board personally.

Today, you can learn more about Dr.-Ing. Tiemo Arndt, the CEO of Reflex GmbH & Co. KG, who has been the Deputy Chairman of the ZELLCHEMING association since June 2025. Dr. Arndt studied forestry and wood science and technology at Dresden University of Technology, graduating with a Dipl.-Forstwirt and an MSc, respectively, in 2006. In 2016, he received his doctorate from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for his work on “Hydrodynamic cavitation for fiber treatment in stock preparation for paper production.” He began his career as a project manager at the Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS) in Heidenau, initially focusing on researching the production and application of nanocellulose, and subsequently focusing on using extrusion processes to chemically modify fibers (reactive extrusion).

Even back then, Arndt was responsible for organizing presentations for a variety of events. "The ZELLCHEMING Expo and the lectures I gave there were always a special highlight," says Arndt. After holding various positions at PTS, including division manager and head of research and transfer, he transitioned to the industry sector in 2022. He joined the Reflex paper mill in Düren as head of technology and became managing director in the following year.

Dr.-Ing. Tiemo Arndt

What motivated you to become more involved in the association?
Attending technical committee meetings at plants and institutes greatly expanded my professional horizons. At the same time, I had the opportunity to network with interesting people and learn about their careers.

What thematic priorities would you like to bring to your work with the ZELLCHEMING Association?
First, I believe it is important to continue building on the progress that has already been made. The importance of sustainability in our mission statement represents an entire industry and shows that using renewable materials, such as wood from sustainable forestry, can provide significant value to our society and the environment.

However, our main focus is on exciting young people about our industries and the benefits of the association. In addition to existing networks within degree programs, it is important to demonstrate that ZELLCHEMING inclusively connects many industries across national borders.

What makes the ZELLCHEMING association special, in your opinion?
In addition to its many digital offerings, I see ZELLCHEMING as a physical network where people know each other personally and have a foundation of trust on which to build professional relationships. The expo strengthens that trust and facilitates the exchange of information about the latest developments.

What factors do you think are important for the association's further development?
To me, it's important that the association has an international focus and operates in a professional, scientific, and technical manner. This makes it well-suited for connecting with other disciplines and young professionals who haven't necessarily completed their training at one of the usual suspect institutions. With the ZELLCHEMING Women4Paper network, we are absolute pioneers in integrating women into STEM professions and our industry. These factors provide an interesting basis for rejuvenating and diversifying the association.

New Head of Regional Group North

The ZELLCHEMING association welcomes Rainer Lübsen as the new head of the Northern Regional Group. We wish him every success in this important volunteer position!

Elected for a two-year term, Rainer will be responsible for planning, organizing, and moderating the annual regional group events in Northern Germany. These meetings will be held in collaboration with the regional groups of the VPM (Munich Paper Industry Association). Additionally, he will represent the Northern Regional Group at the annual ZELLCHEMING Main Committee meeting.

Mr. Lübsen has many years of experience in the paper industry. He trained as a papermaker at the Varel paper and cardboard factory and studied process engineering with a specialization in paper at the Munich University of Applied Sciences. Originally from northern Germany, he has worked for chemical suppliers and product development manufacturers. He currently works for the engineering firm IB42 in Varel, focusing on industrial automation.

Rainer Lübsen

Women4Paper

Interest in the ZELLCHEMING Women4Paper network remains strong. Numerous Women4Paper representatives attended the German Paper Industry (DPI) Paper Summit in Berlin at the end of 2025, having received personal invitations. The representatives reported great interest and productive discussions, and they were pleased that several industry representatives wore the Women4Paper button distributed at the event by Marilena Hantke, the DPI's Head of Press and Public Relations. The next step is to explore further opportunities for cooperation with the DPI regarding women in the paper industry.

Participants of Women4Paper at the Paper Summit 2025

The Women4Paper mentoring program is entering its next round, with three tandems participating!

From the association

We are happy to welcome new members again this month!

We welcome to the ZELLCHEMING association:

• Saša Dobrić, UMKA D.O.O.
• Christian Elsner, Papier Sprick GmbH & Co. KG
• Adrian Ensmenger, UpCircle Technology AG
• Nadine Fritz, Siemens AG
• Yusuf Gündüz, Siemens AG
• Melina Haupt, FunCell
• Philipp Holzberger, Sappi Alfeld GmbH
• Stefan Klösgen, IB42 GmbH
• Hendrik Kolvenbach, UpCircle Technology AG
• Johannes Kritzinger, Omya International AG
• Jack Lamb, Blackburn Chemicals Ltd.
• Philipp Lengtat, Munksjö Dettingen GmbH
• Rainer Lübsen, IB42 GmbH
• Andreas Pfrommer, Siemens AG
• Karsten Schulz, Blackburn Chemicals Ltd.
• Martin Siebert, DREWSEN SPEZIALPAPIERE GmbH & Co. KG
• Alexander Tully, Siemens AG
• Carsten Wolf, Solenis Germany GmbH

Dates

• 10 March 2026
  Meeting Technical Subcommittee Energy (ENEN1)
• 17 March 2026
  Meeting Technical Committee Data Management (DATA)
• 26 March 2026
  Meeting Technical Committee Chemical Additives (CHAD)
• 21 April 2026
  Symposium “Attracting and retaining skilled workers for the paper and pulp industry”
• 22 April 2026
  Meeting Technical Committee Finishing of Paper and Paperboard (FPPB)
• 23 April 2026
  Meeting Technical Committee Plant Engineering and Energy (FA ENEN)
• 20 May 2026
  Meeting Technical Committee Paperboard Technology (PBTC)

From the office

ZELLCHEMING-Expo 2026

Bookings for ZELLCHEMING-Expo 2026 are currently at the same level as last year. The event will take place from June 16 to 18 at the RheinMain CongressCenter (RMCC) in Wiesbaden. Around 70% of the hall has been booked, and Petra Hanke, the managing director of ZELLCHEMING Service GmbH who is organizing the event with the support of Hönig Messemanagement, offers a positive interim assessment: "Preparations are well underway, and we currently expect a similar outcome to last year's. It is particularly encouraging that some companies that were co-exhibitors in 2025 are now opting for their own exhibition stands. Additionally, there are numerous new exhibitors, which underscores the substance and quality of our event!"

For more information and to access exhibitor documents, please visit our event page.

Support from working student

Alexander Finkelmeyer, 26, joined the ZELLCHEMING team in the office at the beginning of January. He is a student at TU Darmstadt, currently completing a double master's degree in mechanical engineering and paper science and technology. While studying, he gained practical experience working as a student assistant at the Institute for Paper Manufacturing and Mechanical Process Engineering at TU Darmstadt. His other positions included work in packaging technology at Merz Consumer Care, product management, and commissioning at Voith. Alexander completed his bachelor's thesis in 2023 and will begin his master's thesis this year.

Alexander Finkelmeyer

"For me, the motivation to get involved with ZELLCHEMING lies in its strong professional network. I also see the ZELLCHEMING Expo as an ideal place for young professionals to network. I find the opportunity to actively participate in organizing and planning the event particularly appealing,” says Alexander Finkelmeyer.

ZELLCHEMING-Expo Exhibitor Advisory Board 2026

The members of the Exhibitor Advisory Board (EAB) elected Dr. Ulrich Weise, platform manager at Fipptec, as deputy chairman. He has been supporting Nicole Buschmeier, the new Chair, since the beginning of the year. Buschmeier was deputy chair of the ABR under Ataman until the end of 2025. The office and the ABR would like to express their sincere thanks to Ramazan Ataman for his commitment and excellent work!

From the network

Symposium “Attracting and retaining skilled workers for the paper and pulp industry”

From April 21 to 22, 2026, DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE, ZELLCHEMING, and the Förderverein Papierzentrum Gernsbach (FÖP) will host a two-day symposium at the Papierzentrum in Gernsbach entitled "Retaining and Attracting Skilled Workers for the Paper and Pulp Industry." The symposium will also present the results of the World Café on the topic of "Actively Attracting and Retaining Young Talent" from the career day at the ZELLCHEMING Expo 2025 on July 3, 2025. We are confident that these results will provide new impetus for the further development of our career day and possible collaborations!

Papermakers' Regulars' Table Regional Group West VPM

The VPM's Western Regional Group cordially invites you to the next Paper Makers' Get-Together on February 6. Food and drinks are at your own expense. The event will take place from 6 p.m. at the Brauhaus, located at Annaplatz 1, 52349 Düren. Please register in advance with Janek Schiefer.

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