We are delighted to introduce our new team members, who will help strengthen our delivery of customer value
Senja Kekki has started in her new role as Customer Contact for Piloting Dispersion Coating at KCL.
Senja has graduated as process operator for paper & board and laboratory technician. With practical expertise in paper & pulp, biomaterial processing and enzyme technologies, she has a good understanding of material properties, testing, and industrial processes, making her a valuable addition to our team.
With her expertise and hands-on approach, Senja will be the key contact for customers utilizing KCL’s large-scale dispersion coating pilot line. She will play a crucial role in coordinating piloting trials, ensuring smooth project execution, and providing technical support to help customers optimize their coating processes and product development.
KCL’s dispersion coating pilot line enables customers to test and develop barrier coatings, functionalized fibre-based materials, and sustainable packaging solutions. Senja is committed to understanding customer needs, streamlining test runs, and supporting successful product innovations. Her contribution will further strengthen KCL’s mission to drive advancements in dispersion coating technologies and sustainable material solutions.
For inquiries regarding piloting dispersion coating, contact:
Senja Kekki tel. +358 50 4113 3601 or by email
Mikko Mensonen, Head of Coatings, Printing and Finishing,
tel. +358 40 522 6005 or by email: first name.last name@kcl.fi
Eve Saarikoski (D.Sc., Tech),Development Manager is leading KCL’s expansion into the biocomposites business—a new and strategic growth area for our company.
Eve brings extensive experience in biocomposites and joins us from UPM, where she played a key role in the development of these innovative materials. With a strong background in product management, sales, business development, and market expansion, she is the ideal leader to drive KCL’s biocomposite operations forward.
With KCL’s recent acquisition of UPM Biocomposites’ production facilities, we are now positioned to expand this business. Operations is transferred to Lohja end of 2024, and full-scale production set for autumn 2025.
Eve’s mission is to establish and scale up KCL’s biocomposites business, leveraging UPM’s 15 years of R&D and transforming it into a high-growth, high-performance segment. She will work closely with customers to develop sustainable, high-performance biocomposite solutions for a wide range of applications.
For inquiries regarding biocomposites, feel free to contact:
Eve Saarikoski: +358 40 835 2395 or via email (firstname.lastname@kcl.fi).
Watti Lehtimäki (M.Sc., Tech.) is our newest Customer Service Manager and Coating Specialist at KCL. Watti joins us with a strong background in paperboard manufacturing, dispersion coating, and barrier product development. With extensive experience in coating technologies, he is a valuable addition to our team, further strengthening KCL’s coating service offerings.
In his role, Watti is dedicated to helping clients achieve their product development goals by supporting their coating-related projects. He will plan, organize, and execute coating trials—from lab-scale studies to large-scale pilot trials—ensuring smooth and efficient project execution.
KCL’s state-of-the-art coating facilities provide customers with comprehensive coating formulation, application, and testing solutions. Our laboratory is equipped with a Mayer bar coater for small-scale studies, various mixing devices for coating color preparation, and in-depth analysis tools to optimize formulations. For pilot-scale coating trials, our three pilot machines offer roll-to-roll application of dispersion coatings using gravure, roll, spray, curtain, jet, filmpress and short dwell methods—ideal for advancing new coatings and coated products towards commercialization.
For inquiries about coating services and project support, contact: Watti Lehtimäki: +358 40 9524870 or via email (firstname.lastname@kcl.fi).
Minna Hilkos (M.Sc., Tech.) our new Technical Sales Manager is focused on promoting KCL Piloting Services and Laboratory Testing Solutions. Minna joined KCL in autumn, bringing a strong background in polymer technology and extensive experience in the international chemical industry, paints & coatings, and tinting systems. With expertise in B2B technical sales, customer service, project management, and product development, she is a valuable addition to our sales team.
In her role at KCL, Minna will drive growth by identifying new opportunities and expanding our customer base in the paper & pulp industry. She will work closely with companies developing fibre-based materials, biomaterial innovations, barrier coatings, and sustainable packaging solutions—helping them explore and develop biobased, compostable, and lightweight fibre-based products. By collaborating with KCL’s piloting and laboratory experts, she will provide customers with the technical support and testing solutions they need to bring new innovations to market.
A dynamic and goal-oriented team player, Minna values open communication and has a keen ability to identify critical project needs, ensuring smooth collaboration and successful outcomes. Passionate about new technologies, sustainability, and the circular economy, she is perfectly aligned with KCL’s vision of driving biomaterial innovations and technological advancements.
For sales and service inquiries, contact:
Minna Hilkos: +358 40 7535 881 or via email (firstname.lastname@kcl.fi).