Shahriar Nafici – the man behind EcoPulping
Shahriar Nafici is the Co-founder of Nafici Environmental research Ltd. He is an Industrial designer and biotechnologist from Cranfield University, UK.
Shahriar has more than 30 years of experience in the field of agricultural wastes and water desalination. He has developed more than 40 small scale plants producing paper pulp from wheat straw and other agricultural residues.
His passion is to research and develop solutions to current environmental and social challenges.
Florence Miremadi-Nafici – Co-founder & CEO
Florence has co-founded Nafici Environmental Research in 2013. She is an engineering Graduate of EPF Ecole d’Ingénieurs in Paris – former Ecole Polytechnique Féminine. She began her career in international business development in the power transmission industry covering North, West and East Africa.
Other than running Nafici’s day to day business in her role of CEO, her passion is to contribute to environmental protection by developing sustainable Green projects.
Stephen Gibbons – Sales and Marketing (Consultant – Part time)
Steve is the Sales and Marketing Director of Nafici Environmental Research. He joined the team in February 2022.
Steve has 25 years of experience in fibre packaging, customer management and business development project execution. His business supports businesses to bring innovative, environmental packaging projects to market.
Catherine Gilmour – Financial Director
Catherine is the financial director at Nafici Environmental Research and she joined the team in March 2024.
Catherine provides strategic financial advice and guidance to SMEs across various industries, including technology, entertainment, and FMCG. With over 15 years of experience in finance, accounting, and information systems, she has a proven track record of delivering value-added solutions that enhance business performance and profitability.
Kate Lowes – Project and supply chain Director
Kate is the Project and Supply Chain Director of Nafici Environmental Research since 2022. 
Kate has 40 years of experience defining, designing, architecting, managing, and building teams. She also has significant experience in highly scalable software and technology-based systems. Kate has successfully guided more than 500 products from concept stage through commercial release, including early products.
Tony Eley – Process Engineer
A Six Sigma Lean manufacturing and project management engineer, with significant 30+ years’ experience in Technical, Process, Supplier Quality and Management roles within the Pulp & Paper and FMCG industries.
With a proven track record of identifying and leading process and product improvement projects, Tony has created sustainable savings in a high value, manufacturing environments with highly demanding customers within rigid quality constraints
Marcia Goncalves – Admin & Programme Manager
Marcia joined Nafici Environmental Research in May 2022. Her role consists of assisting the management team in various duties, replying to contacts, and updating the database, organising and managing the general and daily office duties.
Marcia manages the process of arranging samples to be sent to customers and the import of various products and items of equipment for our research and development facility. She is also involved in managing of the Health and Safety of the business.
Joseph Bryant – Process technician
Joseph joined Nafici Environmental Research in April 2022 after completing his BSc with First Class Honours in Mathematics at the University of Kent.
He is responsible for supporting with the day to day running of the Pilot Plant, including pulp production and the general upkeep of the plant, optimising processes, and driving efficiency.
Alan Edmonds – Adviser
Alan (MBA DMM PgCE FInstLM) has extensive experience as Senior Manager, Managing Director and Non-Executive Director for the engineering and manufacturing industries in the UK and abroad.
His specific experience has been in the automotive, beverage, building products and related sectors. He has provided Nafici’s executive team with project support and advice since 2013.
Qinghua LIU – Director of NAFICI Group’s subsidiary in China
Qinghua (FCIPD, MBA, MSc) is co-founder and Director of Shenzhen Nafici EcoCellulose Technology (NECT), Nafici Group’s subsidiary in China.
Qinghua is Chartered Fellow CIPD, was CEO of a China listed company for 3 years and was HR Director of of a Fortune 500 company for more than 10 years. He funded the EcoPulping’s pilot scale in China in 2017 and has enabled fund to be secured for the first 40TPD commercial scale.
