Annual Polymer Conference
Thursday, 23rd April 2026

Seán Cooney, Director of Engineering, Dexcom based in Athenry, Co. Galway.

Seán provides strategic leadership for the engineering functions supporting advanced medical device manufacturing and site scale up. With a formal engineering background and twenty years’ experience in medical device environments, he focuses on building scalable operating models, developing technical leadership capability, and driving sustainable performance across quality, cost, and delivery.

Seán brings extensive experience in materials engineering, supply chain robustness, and system reliability—ensuring resilient manufacturing solutions that ultimately deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

Alfredo Nasta, Senior Sales & Marketing Leader, Exxon Mobil.

20+ years experience at ExxonMobil, experienced across Retail Fuels, Finished Lubricants, and Chemical Polymers in the EAME region. Proven track record leading B2C and B2B marketing strategies and business transformations for global brands including Mobil 1, Mobil Super, Mobil Delvac, and ExxonMobil Signature Polymer Brands.

Currently Europe Polyethylene Market Development Manager, leading market development and supporting the industry’s transition toward circularity. Chemical Engineer by background, with advanced marketing education from Kellogg School of Management and executive leadership training at Thunderbird and UNC. Based in Brussels.

Jen Lynch, Apprenticeships Project Executive, Ibec.

Jen helps manage the Polymer Technology Apprenticeships and has experience with apprenticeships in other sectors. Jen works closely with employers and education providers on the development and promotion of the apprenticeship programme which is run in collaboration with industry and technological University of the Shannon, Athlone. 

Dr. Christoph Stoeger, Technical Manager, Development, ENGEL.

Christoph is responsible for the development of digital assistance systems with a focus on application technology. Before moving into industry, he earned his doctorate in mechatronics with a focus on robotics, combining in-depth technological expertise with practical solutions for injection moulding technology. 

Kenny O’ Brien, Centre Manager, Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) based in TUS.         

Kenny was formerly General Manager at Athlone Extrusions Ltd. who are part of the Swiss Schweiter Technologies Group. He started his career in 1990 having completed a degree in Polymer Technology from Athlone IT, now a Technological University. Kenny has worked in the Polymer Industry in Ireland for 36 years in Injection Moulding, Blown Film, Electronics and Sheet Extrusion and has extensive experience in Manufacturing and Strategic Management having worked for Japanese, American, British, Irish and Swiss companies including Motorola. He also completed a Masters Degree from Trinity College in 2009 in International Business. He is currently a steering Committee member of First Polymer Training Skillnet and regularly contributes to education as a part time Lecturer( HR and Management/ Leadership ) and Upskilling at the Technological University of the Shannon:Midlands and Midwest. Former roles include IBEC National Commitee member, Chairman Plastics Ireland , Enterprise Ireland Manufacturing Group Committee Member, Company Director. 

Kenny has unique experience in General Management , Operational Management and Plant Management  combined with multinational Company working experience, sale of Athlone Extrusions in 2017  and post sale integration experience to August 2024 and is now leveraging his experience within TUS, APT and PRISM to further develop TUS Industry collaboration and Applied Polymer Technologies.  

John Curley, Managing Director, Trend Technologies Europe.

John has been in the Polymer industry all his career having graduated in Polymer Engineering from TUS Athlone in 1994. He then completed an MBA in Business Practice in the IMI from 2007-2010.

He has served in senior and influential roles during his career – most notably:

1997 – 2010: Tech Group Europe (Now West Pharma) Start-up team & Business unit manager.

2011 – 2018: MGS Manufacturing Group Ireland Start-up team & Plant Manager

2018 – Present: Trend Technology Europe, Managing Director

Andrea Cawley, Client Relations Lead, EY Consultancy.

Andrea specialises in the manufacturing and technology sectors. In her current role, she partners with organisations to accelerate business performance through targeted consultancy spanning Operational Excellence, AI, Cybersecurity, Risk and Sustainability.  

Her indepth knowledge of manufacturing comes from 11 years as Commercial Director with Automatic Plastics, a manufacturer for pharma and medtech.  

Andrea is a Chartered Director with expertise in governance, compliance, strategy and excellence in directorship and on company boards and is a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt with a Masters in Economics.  

Gerry Kilcommins, Chief Operating Officer, CardiacBooster.  

Former Medtronic Vice President Worldwide Operations – Interventional Vascular & Structural Heart  

Prior to joining CardiacBooster as Chief Operating Officer, Gerry has worked with Healthdyne, Becton Dickinson, CR Bard, AVE and Medtronic. He became General Manager of Medtronic Ireland in 2003. Over the past 20 years Gerry has been in roles of increasing responsibility at a Medtronic Business Unit, Group and Corporate level. In recent years with the company, he has held responsibility for circa 25 manufacturing plants and approx 18,000 employees in the US, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Singapore and China. His base of expertise also includes the scaling and launching of several major new products and therapies.  

Gerry has extensive experience across R&D, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Operations and Supply Chain. He has been involved in over fifteen acquisitions, has led Operational Excellence/Lean, DFM and Manufacturing network transformations across Medtronic.  

Gerry graduated from the University of Galway (Ireland) with a Degree in Manufacturing Technology and in 2003 was awarded a Masters in Management & Business Science from Trinity College, Dublin. More recently he achieved both a Diploma in Corporate Governance and a Professional Certificate in AI Governance, awarded by the Corporate Governance Institute.  

In 2008, Gerry was recognized with a Medtronic Wallin Leadership award. During 2011, Gerry held the position of President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Ireland and was also Chairman of the Irish Government sponsored Ireland West Region Enterprise Action initiative. He recently served as a member of the Ibec (Irish Business & Employers Confederation) Board of Directors for 3 years. Gerry took early retirement from Medtronic in May 2024. He was announced as the AmCham (American Chamber of Commerce) US/Ireland Global Leadership Business Award Winner 2024. In August 2024, Gerry was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of Galway for his contributions to the medical technology industry in Ireland.  

Gerry resides in Mountbellew in North County Galway (Ireland) with his wife Pauline. They are proud parents to two daughters, Bronagh and Muirne. Outside of his professional life, Gerry has a variety of interests. He is a hobby farmer, which reflects his roots and interest in the land. Gerry is also an avid sports enthusiast, having played Gaelic Football over many years. His commitment to the sport extends beyond playing, as he has recently served as chairman of his local GAA club. Additionally, Gerry follows other sports with great interest, notably hurling and rugby.  

Pat Whyte, Chief Executive Officer, InverMed.

Pat is a highly experienced Plastics Engineer with over 40 years of business leadership in the medical devices industry. He has a strong track record in establishing and scaling successful manufacturing companies, with particular expertise in the application of plastics for minimally invasive medical technologies. 

Since 2006, Pat has served as CEO and owner of InverMed, where he leads the development and manufacture of innovative medical devices from concept through to commercialisation. Under his leadership, the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, precision-engineered solutions to the global healthcare sector. 

Pat’s contributions to the plastics industry have been widely recognised. He has received multiple awards, including the TUS Polymer Department Alumni Award for Services to the Plastics Industry and an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Skillnet Ireland 25th Anniversary Awards. 

In addition to his commercial achievements, Pat is deeply committed to industry development and skills training. He was instrumental in establishing First Polymer Training Skillnet, serving as its first Chairman, and continues to play an active role on its Steering Committee. He has also been a long-standing member of the Irish Polymer Group, including serving as Chairman for several years. 

André Jansen, Sales Manager, IGS GeboJagema, a world leading Mouldmaker originated in the Netherlands.

André is responsible for the commercial relationship with healthcare ophthalmic customers, with a focus on long-term partnership and added value by innovative improvements on the customer side. He has more than 30 years of experience in technical sales in the injection moulding and manufacturing industry and has worked for IGS GeboJagema since 2011.

Tim van Loon, Manager R&D & Cam, IGS GeboJagema, a world leading Moludmaker originated in the Netherlands.

Tim is responsible for operation and innovation within the R&D and Cam departments, for example model-based definition and standardisation projects to create an efficient workflow.

He has been with IGS GeboJagema since 2020 and started as a project engineer within the R&D department.

Caitríona Mordan, ATIM Cluster Manager.

Caitríona is Cluster Manager of ATIM (Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing), Ireland’s national?leading advanced manufacturing cluster, hosted by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and representing over 100 member organisations across industry, academia, and the public sector.

With a MSc in Science Communicator and with over 20 years’ experience in stakeholder engagement, Caitriona specialises in building bridges between complex technical work and the people and organisations it serves. Since joining ATIM in 2021, she has led flagship initiatives including PolymerConnect and DreamBig, driving internationalisation opportunities for members, forging European partnerships, and engaging industry in strategic, collaborative programmes and events.

Her earlier roles at the ADAPT Centre, Dublin City University, and Engineers Ireland shaped her expertise in responsible innovation, inclusive policy, and translating research into real?world impact.

Across all her work, Caitriona champions the belief that diverse talent, collaborative ecosystems, and responsible innovation are essential to solving the most complex challenges facing manufacturing today.

Lorna O’Gara, Business Development Manager, Ultrapolymers.

Lorna has a B.Sc. in Polymer Technology from Athlone IT, now TUS and has many years’ experience working in the polymer industry. After graduating, she started her career working with Irish Customer Extruders, then spent time working in the UK and Europe in Technical sales roles for Polyurethane systems and Conductive Coatings for plastics. She then worked for Trend Technologies as Key Account manager working with global OEMs of computers, telecoms, consumer goods and healthcare products. After a career break to spend time with her family, including a relocation to Brazil for 4 years, she joined the Ultrapolymers team in 2015 where her current role is Business Development Manager. 

Dave Raine, Managing Director, Sumitomo Demag UK & Ireland.

Dave began his career in engineering in 1982 as an apprentice toolmaker at an injection moulding company in Cramlington, Northumberland. Completing a traditional 1980s apprenticeship laid the foundations for a career built on technical excellence, discipline, and a deep understanding of manufacturing from the shop floor up.

After progressing through manufacturing roles in Northumberland, Dave moved into pharmaceutical packaging in 1990 as a Development Technician at a new facility in North Shields. The transition into new product development expanded his technical capability and introduced him to commercial and customer-facing aspects of the industry.

In 1994, Dave made an unexpected but pivotal move into Sales, driven by an opportunity to work closely with the Demag Hamilton business via Hardie Polymers, the then agent for the company. Leveraging his engineering background, he quickly established credibility with customers, progressing through roles including Technical Manager and Technical Director. In 2007, he joined Demag Hamilton full-time, continuing to build long-term customer relationships and commercial leadership.

In 2015, Dave joined FANUC UK, a major supplier to the Irish medical manufacturing market, further strengthening his leadership experience within highly regulated, technology-driven environments.

In 2022, he returned to Sumitomo (Demag) as Managing Director of the UK & Ireland operation. The past three years have been among the most challenging and rewarding of his career, navigating complex market conditions and an ever changing world

Across more than four decades, Dave has led through significant industry disruption, including the 1999 mobile phone manufacturing collapse and the 2007 financial crisis, Covid, Brexit, and ongoing economic uncertainty.

He is known for his resilience, integrity, and unwavering focus on customers’ interests, underpinned by a career that never lost sight of its engineering roots.

Mark McAuley, Director of Polymer Technology Ireland (PTI) the national trade association for the polymer industry within Ibec. PTI advocates for Ireland’s thriving plastics and polymer manufacturing sector. It supports the sector through regulatory guidance, technical training, national apprenticeships, and policy leadership to foster growth and sustainability. 

Darragh Gaffney, Business Lead, Leyton Ireland.

Darragh supports companies across Ireland in accessing innovation funding and tax incentives, including R&D tax credits and grants. With a background spanning industry and innovation networks, Darragh previously served as Director of Growth at IRDG (Innovation Network Ireland) and R&D Director at Monaghan Biosciences. He works closely with businesses across manufacturing, life sciences, and technology sectors, helping them invest in innovation and scale sustainably. 

Dr. Eoin Murray, Head of R&D, 3A Composites, a global manufacturer of polymer sheets and composite materials.

Based at the Athlone Extrusions site, he leads R&D strategy and customer-focused product development. With 13+ years’ industrial R&D experience, he specialises in innovation management, commercialisation and IP strategy. He holds a BSc, MSc and PhD in Chemistry, and an Executive MBA. In 2020, he was awarded Europe’s Chemist of the Year (PhD level) for inventing and commercialising chromatography technologies now sold globally. 

Mark Hopper, National Sales Manager for Summit Process Cooling, part of the Summit Systems Group.

With over two decades of industrial cooling experience. Throughout his career, Mark has built a reputation for delivering practical, energy-efficient cooling solutions tailored to demanding production environments, with expertise spanning process chillers, temperature control systems and optimised cooling strategies that help manufacturers improve process stability, reduce energy consumption and enhance operational efficiency. Mark leads the UK process cooling sales team, strengthening customer partnerships and driving strategic growth across process cooling applications within the plastics industry and beyond, with a clear focus on delivering efficient, performance-led solutions that provide measurable long-term value.