SPEAKER INTERVIEW
Annett Linemann
Director Technology Outlook for Engineering Adhesives in Europe, H.B. Fuller
In the lead up to Adhesives & Bonding Expo and Foam Expo Europe 2021 we caught up with Annett Linemann, Director Technology Outlook for Engineering Adhesives in Europe at H.B. Fuller. Annett was kind enough to offer some insight into her role and shed some light on what H.B. Fuller are up to. Hear from Annett in person on 9 November in Stuttgart, Germany, where she will be speaking as part of the plenary discussion entitled Encouraging Industry Collaboration to Meet Stringent European Union Carbon Neutrality Targets at 10:00 CET. Register for your free pass to attend the conference here.
Can you briefly explain your role and how it relates to materials?
As a member of the H.B. Fuller Global Technology Outlook team, I am scouting for mid-term and long-term opportunities to identify the next breakthrough innovation in the field of Engineering Adhesives. The development of more sustainable products is a priority for my company and our customers drives us to remain aware of, and look for, new materials suitable to be used in our formulations. Sustainability is of the highest importance to us.
Why is it important to attend your conference session? What will the audience learn?
We’ve been making adhesives for 130-plus years, and we are still passionate about making new things, teaming up across our business ecosystem, and testing new applications. So, I would like to share with the Conference audience how we, at H.B. Fuller, are committed to fulfil the market needs and help manufacturers move towards climate neutrality in providing products that use “less for more” and lower carbon footprint, just to give one example.
What do you see as the biggest trend within the foam and adhesive supply chain?
We are dealing with new realities and mega trends like globalization, urbanization, and digitalization. These are already part of our routine and impacting the way we live and work as well as challenging how products are designed, manufactured, and consumed, including adhesives. I would say that climate neutrality can only be achieved by engaging many different stakeholders to implement the principles of circular economy step by step. This requires transparency and partnership along the value chain. I mean to say that the build-up of reliable, sustainable supply chains combined with the possibilities of digitization tools is for sure a major, global trend these days within the foam and adhesive supply chain.
What are you most looking forward to about attending the event?
I am a scientist and curious by nature, so I am keen to learn and interact. Specifically, I am motivated to know more about the transformation of the industry into a more circular model and how it is positively impacting the foam and adhesives markets. I would like to witness, and become a participant, of this movement and see other ideas and initiatives that are contributing to the development of the adhesives industry, investing in a better future of all of us.
If you could have one famous person (living or deceased) over to dinner, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, since she has a strong presence and has been leading the strategic European Green Deal we all hear about. It would be great to know more about her views and the necessary actions and framework that must be driven at political, business and citizen level, to make the transformation of the industry in Europe a reality and a best place for us all to live.