One of the highest international distinctions in rubber processing in 2026 will go to Dr Gerard Nijman. The expert for tire and rubber extrusion solutions at KraussMaffei Extrusion has been honored with the Fernley H. Banbury Award, presented by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Each year, ACS recognizes outstanding scientific and technological achievements with its Science & Technology Awards. The Banbury Award commemorates the inventor of the internal mixer that bears his name and is regarded as one of the most important honors in the rubber industry. Its purpose is to recognize lasting innovations in production technology, instrumentation, process control, and the development of processing technologies for rubber and rubber-like materials.
Dr Gerard Nijman has played a significant role in the tire and rubber industry for many years. He has contributed substantially to developing key solutions in rubber rheology, to the development of new mixing and multiplex extrusion technologies, and to modern methods for producing and processing silica compounds for the tire industry. His activities have strengthened the link between scientific research and industrial practice, setting standards for modern rubber processing.
The importance of the award is also emphasized by the laureate himself. "It is a great honor 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. The award recognizes not only individual projects, but the entirety of his professional career and highlights his 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.
Achievements of Dr Gerard Nijman in the rubber industry
Over many years, Dr Gerard Nijman has made a significant contribution to closing the gap between rubber science and its industrial application. He has substantially expanded the understanding of the processability of rubber compounds, particularly with regard to mixing efficiency and rheological properties. As early as the 1990s, he introduced new mixing technologies and multiplex extrusion in tire production at Vredestein and was involved in implementing innovative processes for processing silica compounds, originally inspired by Michelin's "Green Tyre" technology.
Another important area of his work is the rheology-based design of screws and flow channels in rubber extruders. These solutions, developed using in-depth analysis of compound behavior in the process, help define current industrial standards and influence the efficiency, quality and repeatability of extrusion processes.
The role of KraussMaffei Extrusion and the laureate's professional experience
KraussMaffei Extrusion has globally recognized expertise in tire technology, based in particular on decades of know-how previously developed under the Berstorff brand. The portfolio ranges from advanced extrusion solutions for tread, sidewall, innerliner and other tire components to high-performance multiplex and calender concepts for demanding tire applications.
The importance of Dr Nijman's work for the company is highlighted by the management of KraussMaffei Extrusion. Ralf Benack, Managing Director of KraussMaffei Extrusion, comments: "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 tire 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!"
Dr Gerard Nijman has been with KraussMaffei Extrusion since 2017 and has a long-standing career in the tire and rubber industry. Previously, he held positions at Apollo Tyres Ltd and Vredestein Banden BV. His work is also strongly influenced by his ongoing cooperation with the Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie (DIK) and the University of Twente, which supports the continued integration of academic research with industrial applications in modern rubber processing.
A bridge between research and industrial practice
The Fernley H. Banbury Award highlights the importance of consistently developing technological solutions that are based on research results and at the same time take into account the requirements of series production. The contribution of Dr Gerard Nijman covers both projects related to compound rheology and processing equipment geometry, and the implementation of new mixing and multiplex extrusion concepts, including for silica compounds used in modern tires.
The combination of experience gained at tire manufacturers Apollo Tyres and Vredestein, his work at KraussMaffei Extrusion and cooperation with the research institutions DIK and the University of Twente creates a coherent profile in which theory and practice complement each other. The award presented by the Rubber Division of ACS confirms that this approach is crucial for the further development of rubber processing technologies, including improving process efficiency, product quality and the possibilities of using new types of compounds in the tire industry.
Dr Gerard Nijman, Senior Technical Expert Tire & Rubber at KraussMaffei Extrusion, honored with the Fernley H. Banbury Award for his contribution to the development of the tire and rubber industry.
