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The molded fiber industry has already proved it belongs — now it must prove it can deliver. 

At IMFA’s 28th Annual Conference in Barcelona, that shift was impossible to ignore. The conversation has moved beyond growth and opportunity to something more demanding: execution under real market pressure. 

Companies are no longer asking whether demand exists. They are asking how to meet it, consistently, competitively, and at scale. 

Across sessions, plant floors, and late-night conversations, the same reality kept surfacing. The opportunity is real. But the expectations are higher, the constraints are clearer, and the margin for error is smaller. 

That momentum was reflected not only in the conversations but in the companies supporting the experience. From Silver Sponsors Inmaco and Yangi to partners across the value chain, the conference brought together organizations actively shaping the future of molded fiber.

A Global Community, Driving the Conversation Forward 

The week didn’t start in a conference room. It started on the floor. 

At HP and HAMER Packaging, attendees saw molded fiber production in action, grounding the week in something tangible before the broader conversations even began. That perspective carried into the Torre Melina Gran Meliá, where the tone quickly shifted from observation to exchange. 

At the rooftop Welcome Reception, made possible by Gold Sponsor Aviridi, conversations started early and didn’t let up. From the moment attendees arrived, supported by Silver Sponsor Solenis as the conference lanyard sponsor, the experience was designed for connection. Across the exhibit floor and throughout the week, attendees were actively exchanging ideas, challenging assumptions, and asking the harder questions. 

That energy showed up immediately in the sessions. 

Kennet Nilsson of Valmet brought the conversation back to process control, saying, “If you are not controlling what happens in stock preparation, you are not controlling your final product.” It was a reminder that performance is not something added at the end. It is built in from the beginning. 

Bill Moore of Moore & Associates picked up that thread from a supply perspective, adding, “The fiber mix is changing fast. The companies that adapt their sourcing strategy will stay competitive. The ones that do not will struggle.” Raw material strategy is no longer a background consideration. It is central to how companies compete. 

Those conversations continued well beyond the sessions. Over coffee, supported by Kemira, in the exhibit hall, and through ongoing connection via the conference app powered by Gold Sponsor Kadant, discussions deepened. The attendee dinner made possible by Gold Sponsor Motus, and the closing event on the water, sponsored by Shurcon with additional support from Dalton and Novamont, created space for the kind of exchanges that don’t happen on stage but ultimately shaped the industry's direction. 

The Industry Is Getting Measurable 

One of the most meaningful shifts discussed in Barcelona was not tied to a single innovation, but to visibility. 

With the introduction of IMFA’s global benchmarking initiative, the industry is beginning to quantify what has historically been anecdotal. For the first time, companies are seeing how they stack up against key metrics, creating a shared understanding of the industry's standing. 

The early signals are strong. Companies are investing. Capacity remains high. Regulation is driving demand. 

But what matters more is what this unlocks. A more measurable industry becomes more aligned. It allows companies to move from instinct to insight, and from isolated decisions to informed strategy. 

Scaling Is the Challenge Now 

That shift toward execution carried directly into the keynote from Pablo Libreros of Omni-Pac Group. 

His message was direct and grounded in reality, reiterating, “Demand alone does not create growth. Discipline and execution do.” 

Across markets, companies are navigating energy volatility, cost pressure, and increased competition. The opportunity is there, but it is not guaranteed. 

Lei Wang of AFRY reinforced that point with a broader market perspective, saying, “The growth outlook is strong, but cost, scalability, and performance gaps are still holding the industry back.” 

The direction is clear: the path forward requires focus. 

Innovation Is Happening Across the Entire Value Chain 

That tension between opportunity and execution came into sharp focus during one of the week's most anticipated sessions, the conference’s signature panel, “The Five,” made possible by Fiber Thermoforming Technologies. 

What made the session stand out was not just the content, but how clearly it showed that innovation is not happening in one place. It is happening everywhere at once. 

Suhan Gurer of Fibra Seluloz ve Kagit reframed how the industry looks at raw materials, saying, “What used to be waste is now a viable fiber source. The question is no longer if we can recover it. It is how fast we can scale it.” 

Henrik Lundell of Prototal Industries showed how production is evolving alongside that shift, sharing his perspective on digital tooling and how it’s not only improving speed, but also “redefining what is possible in molded fiber design and production.” 

Vivian Xin of BeSure Technology brought a global perspective, pointing to how manufacturing expectations are changing, stating, “The industry is moving from producing more to producing better. Speed, precision, and consistency are now the differentiators.” 

 

Jim Fogg of Motus connected those advancements back to the end goal, declaring, “Closing the gap with plastic is not about one breakthrough. It is about improving performance across every step of the process.” 

And Emma Janco of BIM Kemi grounded the conversation in application, affirming, “Barrier performance is achievable without PFAS, but only when the entire system is optimized.” 

Together, the panel did not just highlight individual innovations. It showed how interconnected the challenges and solutions have become. 

Performance Is the Next Battleground 

As molded fiber moves into more demanding applications, the conversation is shifting from sustainability to performance. 

Joonas Hokka of Kemira brought that down to the material level, sharing, “Small changes in fiber chemistry can have a big impact on strength, water resistance, and overall performance.” The implication is clear. Incremental improvements can drive significant results. 

Johannes Zimmer of Nestlé Research clarified one of the industry’s most misunderstood areas by stating, “Biodegradable does not mean compostable. Those are two very different outcomes.” As regulation evolves, that distinction will become more than educational. 

Hannah Kleyer of Nestlé Research focused on the pace of innovation itself, stating, “If we can test faster, we can innovate faster. Right now, testing is the bottleneck.” 

And Federico Faiella of Novamont brought the conversation back to market reality, expressing, “To replace plastic, fiber solutions need to deliver real barrier performance, not just sustainability.” His work highlights how material innovation and performance requirements are converging. 

Regulation Is Reshaping the Industry 

Regulation was not a background topic. It was a defining force across discussions. 

Josep Nicolas Bellot of Steptoe made that clear by sharing, “Regulation is no longer just a constraint. It is shaping how packaging is designed from the start.” 

From recyclability to PFAS restrictions and full lifecycle accountability, companies are being pushed to rethink how products are designed, produced, and positioned. 

Those who adapt early will not just comply. They will lead. 

 

Recognizing the People Behind Progress 

The IMFA Fellow Award Ceremony, sponsored by Gold Sponsor Kiefel Technologies, served as a reminder that the industry’s progress is built over time. 

Mike Gallant and Paul Carter were both recognized for careers defined by leadership, technical expertise, and long-term contribution. Their impact extends beyond the systems they helped build. It lives in the people they have mentored and the industry they have helped shape. 

What Comes Next 

By the end of the week, the conversation had shifted. The industry is no longer asking whether molded fiber will grow. There is demand. There is innovation. There is regulatory momentum. 

Now comes the work of scaling it all. And based on what came out of Barcelona, that work is already underway. 

Because what happened this week was bigger than a conference. It was a reflection of an industry stepping forward together, challenging itself, and raising the bar for what comes next. 

None of it happens without the people behind it. 

Thank you to everyone who made this week possible—our sponsors, exhibitors, Board of Directors, committee members, and the many stakeholders who continue to invest their time, expertise, and energy into advancing our industry. 

A special thank you to IMFA Executive Chairman Gary Visser for his leadership and vision, and to IMFA Founder Joe Grygny for building the foundation that continues to shape and strengthen this global community. 

The momentum is real. The expectations are higher. And the industry is ready. 

5 Key Takeaways from IMFA Barcelona 

1. Growth is real, but it will not happen automatically
   As Pablo Libreros of Omni-Pac Group made clear, demand alone is not enough. Scaling molded fiber will require discipline, operational focus, and strong execution.
2. The industry is entering a more data-driven phase
   With IMFA’s benchmarking initiative, companies now have access to shared insights that will help define performance, investment decisions, and competitive positioning.
3. Innovation is happening across the entire value chain
   From fiber recovery and sourcing, highlighted by SuhanGurer of Fibra Seluloz ve Kagit, to digital tooling from Henrik Lundell of Prototal Industries and high-speed manufacturing advancements from Vivian Xin of BeSure Technology, progress is happening everywhere at once. 
4. Performance is the next competitive frontier
   As Emma Janco of BIM Kemi and Jim Fogg of Motus emphasized, molded fiber must meet the same functional expectations as plastic. Barrier performance, consistency, and scalability are now critical. 
5. Regulation is reshaping the industry in real time
   Josep Nicolas Bellot of Steptoe outlined how evolving policies are pushing companies to rethink materials, processes, and full lifecycle design. Those who adapt early will have a clear advantage.

 

IMFA will continue to build on the momentum from Barcelona, bringing the industry together to share knowledge, strengthen connections, and drive progress. We look forward to continuing the conversation in 2027 in Orlando, FL, from April 19 to 21 at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.