#Textile chemistry

2023-02-02

Borealis appoints Stefan Toader as Vice President Reliability, Turnarounds and Projects

Borealis announces the appointment of Stefan Toader as Vice President Reliability, Turnarounds and Projects effective 1 December 2022. In this position he is in charge of Borealis’ management and operations of plant maintenance, turnarounds - scheduled events for a plant revamp and/or renewal - and related projects.

Before joining Borealis, Stefan Toader worked in several managerial positions at OMV Petrom, where he started in 1998. He brings with him vast experience in the areas of maintenance, asset management, operations and projects in Romania and Kazakhstan. In 2019 he joined OMV in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, as Head of Asset Management Middle East and Asia. From January 2021 he held the position of Vice President Asset Management Ruwais Refinery, based in the UAE.

Stefan Toader appointed Borealis Vice President Reliability, Turnarounds & Projects © Borealis

Stefan Toader holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Automation Science from the University Politechnica in Bucharest, Romania, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Université Paris-XII in France and University of Economic Studies from Bucharest, Romania.

“Stefan Toader is an experienced leader with exposure to different cultures and ways of working and we are very pleased to welcome him to Borealis,” says Wolfram Krenn, Borealis Executive Vice President Base Chemicals and Operations. “We look forward to bringing his experience in maintenance, asset management, operations and projects to Borealis as we continue to improve the performance of our operations and the reliability of our assets for the future.”

Stefan Toader succeeds Johann Berger, Vice President Projects & Expert Support, who will retire in March 2023 after a long and successful career at Borealis.

“I would also like to warmly thank Johann Berger for his outstanding contributions to the success of Borealis for almost 35 years,” says Wolfram Krenn. “He has been instrumental in defining the way we operate today, setting the path for future success.”

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Indovinya advances sustainable solutions with agreement for the supply of renewable Oxygen from Air Liquide

Indovinya, the specialty chemicals and surfactants division of Indorama Ventures, has entered into an agreement with Air Liquide — a world leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare — for the supply of renewable oxygen. The agreement represents a strategic advancement in Indovinya’s commitment to sustainability, as it increases the share of renewable raw materials in the production of ethylene oxide, one of its key products.

DyStar releases FY2025 sustainability report, marking a new milestone towards its 2030 targets

DyStar, a leading specialty chemicals company with more than a century of expertise in product development and innovation, today announced the release of its FY2025 Sustainability Report, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey and reinforcing its commitment to long-term value creation.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.