In the first “Europe Rubber Industry Forum 2016” that was held on June 22 to 23 in Heidelberg, Germany, Dr. Gerard Nijman was presented the “Europe Rubber Technologist 2016” award by the Rubber Technologists Network (RTN)for his excellent contributions in rubber technology in terms of industrial research, education and training younger generation. This award was presented by eminent rubber technologists, Prof. Robert Schuster and Dr. Hans-Joachim Graf. Europe Rubber Industry Forum 2016 was organized by TechnoBiz Europe.
Nijman was born in Zutphen, Netherlands on December 3rd, 1958. He did his PhD project on the Origin of Molecular Orientation in Injection Molded Products at the University Twente in Enschede, Netherlands. From 1987 he started in the Technology Section of Vredestein Banden BV in Enschede and after a few years he became Head of the Technology Section. From 2003 he was in charge of the concept development and industrialisation of the system “Active Front Spoiler” which was developed exclusively for Porsche’s 911 turbo. The active front spoiler is a system, based on a rubber molded article, which deploys to its performing position depending on the speed of the car. After introduction of the front spoiler system into the market, he went back to the technology section of Apollo Tyres, the company which took over Vredestein in 2009. He has been holding the position of Head of Extrusion Technology at Harburg Freudenberger in Hamburg, Germany since July 1.
Gerard has published several articles and book chapters on rubber mixing and processing and holds more than 20 patents. He gives university level lectures, courses and presentations on several aspects of rubber mixing, rheology and processing at the DIK (German Rubber Institute) in Hannover and at rubber conferences and exhibitions, organised by Technobiz, in various locations of the world.
Rubber Technologists Network (RTN) is a network of rubber technologists was founded in March 2016 to exchange information on rubber technology. The RTN honors dedicated rubber technologists for their contributions for the sustainability of the rubber industry globally.