Women in Plastics - The networking event at K 2025
By women for women: Shaping the industry together
The plastics and rubber industry is still heavily male-dominated - female managers are rare and valuable potential often remains untapped. This is precisely where ‘Women in Plastics’ comes in: For the first time, K 2025, the world's leading trade fair for the plastics industry, is specifically inviting women from the sector to an inspiring networking event.
Whether young talent, specialist or manager - the event offers a unique platform to exchange ideas, learn from each other and discover new career opportunities.
Why take part?
✅ Role models & inspiration: Learn from successful women in the industry, be inspired and gain valuable insights. ✅ Networking & visibility: Make new contacts, share your experience and expand your professional network. ✅ Career opportunities & diversity: Find out what paths and opportunities women have in the plastics industry - and how companies benefit from more diversity. ✅ Best practices & discussion: High-calibre speakers will provide insights into their careers, discuss challenges and present practical solutions.
Programme & Highlights
Keynote Speech - Inspiring impulses from a leading personality in the industry
Panel discussion - Exciting talks with top speakers about careers, diversity and future prospects
Best practice examples - Success stories from the field and international experience reports
Faces of the Industry - Insights into the diversity of the plastics industry
Networking & exchange - Following the stage programme, direct contact with like-minded people over drinks and snacks
Event details
Location: Special show Plastics Shape the Future, Hall 6
Registration for the program is now closed, as we have already reached the maximum number of registrations.
However, you are warmly invited to stop by on the day of the event without prior registration. If there are still seats available in the audience, they can be taken directly on site.
Keynote Speaker
Stephanie Kalil
Commercial Vice President – Europe, Middle East & Africa Packaging & Specialty Plastics Dow
Stephanie Kalil is the commercial vice president for Packaging & Specialty Plastics (P&SP) in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Dow Inc. She is responsible for developing and driving business strategy, particularly Dow’s circularity and decarbonization efforts, as well as the overall profit and loss of P&SP in the region. Stephanie is also responsible for delivering value-creating initiatives to help better serve customers and the industry at large. Prior to this role Stephanie was the Senior Global Business director for the Polyethylene business.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a specialization in International Business from Michigan State University (MSU). She also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. She is a passionate advocate for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Women’s Innovation (WIN) employee resource groups, championing initiatives to enhance professional development and improve cross cultural understanding, as well as fighting for greater representation for women in technical and leadership roles. She lives in Zurich, Switzerland with her husband.
Best Practice
Miriam Olivi
General Manager Frigosystem Corema
President – WOMEN IN PLASTICS ITALY
With 30+ years of experience in auxiliary equipment for plastics processing, Miriam Olivi built an inspiring path from sales back office to General Manager of FRIGOSYSTEM COREMA.
She led projects in 70+ countries and pursued studies in management, sociology, and global education. Expert in international markets and business strategies, she is known for her multicultural mindset and advocacy for diversity.
Since 2024, she is President of WOMEN IN PLASTICS ITALY, promoting female leadership in plastics and fostering inclusive, innovative corporate culture.
Anabel Crespo Soler
Technologies Manager AIMPLAS
Anabel Crespo Soler is working at AIMPLAS since 2007, initially as a Researcher, then as Head of Composites. Later as leader of the Construction and Renewable Energies group and currently as Technologies Manager, being part of the Management Committee since 2021. Specialist in raw materials and composite processing, working on national and international research projects, mainly in the area of nanocomposites, thermosets, sustainable materials and circular economy. Anabel has participated in the technical coordination of several 7th Framework Programme, CIP Eco-Innovation and H2020 projects focused on sustainable materials and circular economy (POLYCOND, CORNETFOAM, ECO RUBBER, ECOGEL, URBANREC). Currently, her activity is based on leading and managing multidisciplinary teams of an area with more than 100 people, managing resources and defining and implementing research lines according to the needs of society and companies.
Miriam Lutz
Manager of Product Management ARBURG GmbH + Co KG
Miriam Lutz, who joined ARBURG in 2012, is Head of Product Management and has experience in technical sales and international cooperation, particularly with Mexico. She leads an ARBURG team that is responsible for the product portfolio and continuously works on market-driven further development. Her academic career includes a part-time Master of Engineering degree from Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, during which she focused intensively on machine learning in mechanical engineering, underscoring her passion for technological innovation. As co-founder of the Frauen@ARBURG network, Miriam Lutz is passionate about raising the profile of women in mechanical engineering and paving the way for them. She is convinced that diversity and different perspectives are crucial to the success of a company and is actively involved in promoting role models in technical professions.
Panel
Mirjam Mayer
Vice President Circular Economy Solutions Borealis AG, Vienna
Mirjam Mayer is Vice President Circular Economy Solutions at Borealis. Since joining Borealis in 2020 as Director Strategy & Growth Portfolio, Mayer has played a key role in shaping the Group's strategy. Most recently, she was Vice President Polyolefins Transformation and was responsible for the strategic development of the Polyolefins, Circular Economy and Innovation & Technology divisions. Prior to this, she worked for several years as a management consultant at McKinsey in various countries and has a strong scientific background: a postdoctoral degree from MIT in Boston and a doctorate in biochemistry/biophysics from TU Dresden and the Max Planck Research School.
Angelika Huemer
Managing Partner, CEO Starlinger & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Angelika Huemer is Managing Partner and CEO of Starlinger & Co. After joining Starlinger in 1983 she worked in several central departments and business areas until she took over the position of Managing Partner and CEO of the companies belonging to the Starlinger Group in 2002. In addition to her management activities in the Starlinger Group she is CEO of the Starlinger Group Holding company, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the production sites in China and India and President of the Starlinger branch in USA. Her particular focus is on sustainable corporate development, innovation and customer orientation. Under her leadership, the company was able to grow successfully and to sustainably strengthen its market position.
Laura Florez
General Manager ICIPC - Tecnologia del Plastico
Laura Flórez is a mechanical engineer and master in mechanical engineering from the University of the Andes in Colombia. She has devoted her career to plastics industry, holding positions in simulation, optimization of processes and circular economy. She earned her PhD in polymer processing from the IKV in Aachen, Germany. She currently serves as content director of Tecnología del Plastico magazine, is general director of the ICIPC Plastic Research Institute in Colombia, and leads her own consulting firm, PM Tec Engineering.
Viviane Papa
SVP HR Talent Management Evonik Industries AG
Viviane Papa currently leads global HR Talent Management at Evonik.
After earning her Doctorate in Musical Arts, she embarked on her second professional journey as an Associate and Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company Inc. In 2010, Viviane joined Evonik, where she served as Global Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales Excellence, later transitioning to the role of Product Line Head for Granules & Compounds within the High Performance Polymers Business Line.
Throughout her career, Viviane has developed a keen interest in the growth of individuals and organizations. Her leadership acumen has been significantly shaped by her diverse cultural and professional experiences.