Highest Recognition for Innovations in Rubber Processing for Dr. Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion

One of the rubber industry’s highest international honours 2026 goes to Dr. Gerard Nijman: The expert in tyre and rubber extrusion solutions at KraussMaffei Extrusion will be honoured with the Fernley H. Banbury Award by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The ACS recognises outstanding scientific and technological achievements each year with its Science & Technology Awards.

Dr. Gerard Nijman has been a driving force in the rubber and tyre industry for many years. He has played a decisive role in driving forward important advances in rubber rheology, in the development of new mixing and multiplex extrusion technologies, and in the modern production and processing of silica compounds for the tyre industry. His work has strengthened the link between scientific research and industrial practice and set standards for rubber processing.

The Fernley H. Banbury Award commemorates the inventor of the internal mixer of the same name and is considered one of the highest honours in the industry. It honours sustainable innovations in production technology, instrumentation, process control, and the further development of processing technologies for rubber and rubber-like materials.

“It is a great honour for me to receive the Fernley H. Banbury Award. This recognition confirms the importance of the close connection between research and industrial practice in rubber processing and motivates me to continue to drive forward innovative solutions for our industry,” said Dr. Gerard Nijman.

Ralf Benack, Managing Director of KraussMaffei Extrusion, adds: “We warmly congratulate Dr. Nijman on this outstanding award. With his in-depth knowledge, many years of experience, and tireless dedication, he has had a decisive influence on the rubber and tyre industry and has further developed our technologies in a targeted manner. This recognition is more than deserved. We are very proud to have Dr. Nijman in our team!”

KraussMaffei Extrusion has globally recognised expertise in tyre technology, based in particular on decades of Berstorff expertise. The portfolio ranges from sophisticated extrusion solutions for tread, sidewall, innerliner and other tyre components to high-performance multiplex and calender concepts for demanding tyre applications.

Dr. Gerard Nijman has been with KraussMaffei Extrusion since 2017 and can look back on a successful career in the rubber and tyre industry. Previous positions at Apollo Tyres Ltd and Vredestein Banden BV, as well as his ongoing inspiring collaboration with the German Institute for Rubber Technology (DIK) and the University of Twente, have had a significant influence on his work.

Achievements of Dr. Gerard Nijman

Over many years, Dr. Gerard Nijman has made a decisive contribution to bridging the gap between rubber science and industrial practice. He has significantly expanded our understanding of the processability of rubber, particularly with regard to mixing efficiency and rheological properties. Back in the 1990s, he introduced new mixing technologies and multiplex extrusion in tyre production at Vredestein.

He was also involved in the introduction of innovative processes for processing silica compounds, as originally used in Michelin’s “Green Tyre” technology. Another focus of his work is the rheology-based design of screw and flow channel designs for rubber extruders, which continue to shape industrial standards today.

The award recognises not only individual achievements, but also his entire professional career and underscores Dr. Gerard Nijman’s lasting contribution to the advancement of rubber processing. The official award ceremony will take place in September 2026 during the Global Polymer Summit in Louisville (KY) USA.

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