2005 - 2010: M.Sc. Chemistry (Universtit´a degli studi di Milano) 2010 - 2017: Different research position in Germany (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster and Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg) Since 2017: ALLOD Werksoff GmbH & Co. KG
Pacôme, french, sport passionate and food lover. I wish to be part of the sport innovation at the
service of the user experience.
PhD in polymers sciences, I joined Decathlon in 2021 as materials engineer within the footwear
industrial division. I am focused on midsole foams developments, intended for all internal brands and
sports. Lately, I have been working even more on the supercritical fluid (SCF) injection technology as
a new process for Decathlon soles production.
Dr. Pierre Furtwengler joined Renault engineering team in 2018 and is in charge of polymer material development and prescription for under bonnet applications. He is know technical polymer specialist for Renault Group. He obtained his PhD at ECPM (Strasbourg) in the BioTeam in renewable polyol synthesis from sorbitol and PU foams formulation. He received the 2018 best PhD award from French Plastic Engineer Society (SFIP).
Vice director “Institute of Polymer Materials” and Head of department “Processing Technology” at the
Leibniz-Institut fuer Polymerforschung Dresden e. V. (Leibniz-IPF). Polymer processing and material
development with 25+ years of experience. Research Area: Process controlled morphologies and
interfaces, Multi-material combination (injection molding, additive manufacturing), Process monitoring and
simulation.
Associations: Spokesperson of Expert network "TPE-Forum", International Representative Germany in
Polymer Processing Society (PPS), Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), Association of German Engineers (VDI)
– contributions to the VDI-guideline 2019 “Testing the adhesion of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) on
substrates” and 2020 “Characterisation of flow behaviour of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)”
• Bachelor in applied chemistry at Reutlingen University and Master of plastics engineering (M.Eng) at Schmalkalden University.
• Professional career start at B.Braun Melsungen AG in the Material Science Department
• Senior materials expert, development of PVC and TPE formulations for medical tubing and components
• Foundation of the consultancy company Polyneers GmbH that is focused on medical polymers and its applications, trends and characterization techniques.
• Member of the VDI-committee for the upcoming guideline 2023 for process validation in the medical industry.
• From 2016 until 2020 he contributed to part 18 of DIN EN ISO 10993 – the standard for biocompatibility of medical devices within a risk management.
Dr. Cristina Bergmann is Business Development Director Process Oils at Ergon International Inc. and has more than 18 years of experience in Specialty Products (Chemicals and Oils), Materials and Technologies markets with strong emphasis on Automotive industry. She has held various positions at Continental Tires, LANXESS Deutschland GmbH and Hansen & Rosenthal.
From 2015 to 2024, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the German Rubber Society (DKG - Deutsche Kautschuk-Gesellschaft).
Rubber and TPE expert with 25+ years of experience
1997-2022 Editor Dr. Gupta Verlag (focus on thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, and polyurethanes)
2009-2022 Editor-in-Chief TPE Magazine
2023 – today Communication specialist and TPE network associate at the German Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (wdk Wirtschaftsverband der deutschen Kautschukindustrie e.V.)
• Member of the VDI Strategy Group Plastics Technology
• Member of the jury of the SPE Central Europe Automotive Awards
Associations:
• TPE Forum
• Forum Werkstoffe
• German Rubber Society (DKG)
• Association of German Engineers (VDI)
• ACS Rubber Division
• Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
Gaurav Kumar has over 20 years of experience in the polymer industry, wherein he has held various positions in Marketing, Sales and Technical groups. He graduated with a degree in Polymer Technology, and a MBA in marketing from NIBM (India). In his latest role he is associated with Avient Corporation, which he joined in year 2016, and is currently responsible for its TPE portfolio in EMEA. Before Avient, he spent 13 years in Application Development, Key account management, Product Development and Technical services at other Plastic Manufacturers.
