28th intern. Flock Symposium and Members Assembly 10th-12nd June 2026 in Prague

Ulrich Büttel studied mechanical engineering at Reutlingen University. After working as a freelance design engineer for several years, he and a partner founded an engineering company, Büttel und Marx GmbH, which specializes in the development and manufacture of automated special machines. At the end of 1998, Mr. Büttel took over shares in Maag Flockmaschinen GmbH, which he managed as managing director from 2000 to 2020. Since the end of 2020, Mr. Büttel has been working as a freelance engineering service provider and consultant for the flocking technology, machine safety and explosion protection. Mr. Büttel is an active member of the German Committee DKE K 239 for the standardization of electrostatic spraying equipment.
Further information can be found at www.bue engineering.com.

LECTURE AT SYMPOSIUM 2026:
Flocking is always a good idea...

The technique of flocking is diverse and always exciting. In recent decades, a wide variety of product ideas have been developed using flock and put into practice. Many flock applications in textiles or vehicles have become an integral part of everyday life. But not every idea has been a success. Flocking has evolved from the visual decoration of surfaces, which was common in the past, to many technical applications. The presentation will provide an overview of the properties and possible uses of flocking – from established applications to exotic and other flashes of inspiration.

Klaus Achenbach has been with Condair since 2007, initially joining as a Product Manager. He currently serves as Managing Director of Condair Austria and holds the position of President of Condair Poland HVAC. Since 2013, he has been responsible for market development in HVAC across Central Europe. Mr. Achenbach holds a degree (Dipl.-Ing.) in Building Technology from the University of Applied Sciences Trier and completed an MBA in General Management at the International University Erfurt.

Lars Knacke holds a degree in Business Administration and has been the Business Development Manager at Condair since 2000. His responsibilities include export sales and global key account management, focusing in particular on the DRS (direct-room humidification systems) segment. In this area, Mr. Knacke works on developing solutions tailored to the needs of international clients and navigating the specific requirements of the humidification market.
More information: www.condair.de; www.condair.at;

LECTURE AT THE SYMPOSIUM 2026:
CONTROLLED HUMIDITY
Enhanching process reliability with state of the art humidification technologies

Precisely regulated humidity is a crucial factor for process reliability and product quality in flock technology. The use of advanced humidification methods enables companies to meet requirements for electrical conductivity and adhesive properties with confidence, while also improving the overall production environment. Effective humidity management helps to prevent dust formation, reduce health risks, and establish a comfortable indoor climate for employees. This presentation provides an overview of the benefits in flock technology and state-of-the-art humidification systems that offer safe, easy to maintain, and hygienic solutions for diverse production needs and applications.

Mahmut Oğuz Kesimci began his work on flock coating in 2014 at Bursa Uludağ University, investigating diverse applications of flock coating in the literature—including composite materials, impact energy absorption, liquid wicking, thermal conduction, and biomaterials—which led to developing a Ph.D. research proposal focused on textile comfort. From 2016 to 2022, he carried out both experimental and theoretical research on the thermophysiological comfort properties of flock-coated fabrics, resulting in a peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of The Textile Institute 
(DOI: 10.1080/00405000.2022.2043574) His expertise includes electrostatic flock coating processes, textile comfort properties, and surface phenomena. He currently works as a textile consultant.

LECTURE AT SYMPOSIUM 2026:
Flock Coating: Diverse Applications in Advanced Materials and Its Potential for Thermal Comfort in Cold-Weather Clothing

Flock coating technology has found diverse applications in advanced materials, including composite reinforcement, impact energy absorption, liquid wicking, high thermal conduction, and biomedical scaffolds. This presentation provides an overview of these applications and introduces research on flock coating for textile thermal comfort. Nylon 6.6 flock fibers of varying fineness and length were applied to woven cotton fabric using electrostatic flocking, with short (0.4 mm) and long (1.0 mm) fibers achieving 82% and 204% higher thermal resistance, respectively. A mathematical model was developed to predict thermal resistance, showing strong agreement (r = 0.95) with experimental values. The findings demonstrate that partial flock coating offers significant potential for lightweight cold-weather and sportswear clothing.

Anna María González Salgado is an Industrial Engineer with a specialization in Textile Chemistry and over 20 years of experience in the textile and materials sector. She currently works as Technical Business Manager at Velutex Flock S.A., where she leads the technical-commercial strategies, drives innovation in sustainable textile solutions, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver client-focused products and services. Previously, Anna held the position of Product Health & Safety Manager within the Sustainability Department at Oysho (Inditex Group). In this role, she was responsible for ensuring product compliance with international safety and chemical regulations, managing risk assessment processes, and contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable textile products across the supply chain. Her career has been marked by a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and technical excellence in textile applications
More informations:  www.velutex.com

LECTURE SYMPOSIUM 2026:
Sharing Perspectives for a More Sustainable and Competitive Flock Industry

This lecture explores key aspects that can help make the flocking industry more sustainable and competitive in a rapidly evolving textile landscape. The presentation will share practical examples of sustainable developments. In parallel, the impact of emerging legislations on the flocking industry will be discussed, with a focus on material choices, testing approaches, and regulatory compliance. Finally, the lecture will examine how sustainability can be effectively measured and communicated within the flock industry.