IISRP to Honour Two Veteran Scientists for Major Contributions to Synthetic Rubber Industry
- By TT News
- December 03, 2025
L to R: Dr Elizabeth Delzell and Dr Irina Yurovska
The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers will recognise two long-serving leaders at its annual meeting next year. Dr Elizabeth Delzell will receive the IISRP General Award, while Dr Irina Yurovska will be presented with the organisation’s Technical Award. Both honours will be given on 15 April 2026 at the group’s 66th Annual General Meeting in Houston, Texas.
Dr Delzell is an epidemiologist whose research has shaped global understanding of chemical exposure in industrial settings. She earned degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University before holding academic posts at Duke University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Over three decades, she published more than 200 papers and led work funded by IISRP and several major companies and agencies.
Her landmark study in the North American synthetic rubber industry identified 1,3-butadiene as a cause of human leukaemia. The finding influenced national and international rules on chemical safety. Her research also linked synthetic rubber work to bladder cancer and helped assess cancer risks from styrene exposure.
Dr Yurovska, the recipient of the Technical Award, has held leadership roles across the tyre, rubber and chemicals sectors. She trained as a chemist and engineer in the former Soviet Union and later completed a PhD in polymer physics and mechanics. After moving to the United States in 1991, she worked at Teknor Apex, Precix, Cabot Corporation, SI Group and Himadri, rising to Global Vice President of Technical Service.
She holds more than 80 patents and has published widely on polymer compounding, rubber additives and testing methods. Her work has informed advances in rubber technology used across the global industry. She now runs YIGlobal, a consulting company based in Texas, and remains active in the ACS Rubber Division.
The IISRP said both award recipients have made long-lasting contributions to science and the synthetic rubber industry. The organisation highlighted their influence on regulation, product development and talent mentoring across several decades.
Nokian Tyres Appoints Ville Mansikkamäki As Senior Vice President For Heavy Tyres
- By TT News
- April 30, 2026
Nokian Tyres has announced the appointment of Ville Mansikkamäki as Senior Vice President for Heavy Tyres, effective by 1 October 2026. The executive, who holds an Executive MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Logistics, will also join the company’s management team. Based in Nokia, Finland, Mansikkamäki will report directly to President and CEO Paolo Pompei.
Mansikkamäki joins the Finnish tyre manufacturer from Ponsse Plc, a global producer of cut-to-length forest machines, where he served as Vice President for Europe. His background includes senior business leadership roles at CNH, Valtra and AGCO, bringing extensive experience in heavy equipment and logistics.
He succeeds Tron Gulbrandsen, who has been managing Nokian Heavy Tyres on an interim basis. Gulbrandsen will continue his regular duties as Senior Vice President for Passenger Car Tyres in the Nordics.
Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am pleased to welcome Ville Mansikkamäki to Nokian Tyres. His deep expertise in machinery industry and strong international leadership background will significantly support the continued development of our heavy tyres business. I would like to thank Tron for his leadership and valuable contribution to Nokian Heavy Tyres.
Kumho Tire USA Strengthens Leadership With Marketing Veteran Carolina Wagner
- By TT News
- April 28, 2026
Kumho Tire USA has appointed Carolina Wagner as its new Vice President of Marketing, a move aimed at reinforcing the company’s brand strength and competitive edge across the passenger, light truck and commercial vehicle segments in United States.
Wagner will take charge of all marketing operations for Kumho Tire USA, including brand strategy, product marketing, digital outreach, demand generation and sales support. Working alongside executive leadership and the sales team, she will focus on aligning marketing efforts with the firm’s ambitious growth objectives in the American market.
With over 25 years of executive experience at global tyre companies such as Continental Tires the Americas and Goodyear, Wagner has led growth and brand initiatives across the tyre, mobility, SaaS and material handling sectors. Her career began in Rio de Janeiro, advancing through leadership roles in Brazil and Latin America before moving to United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidade Santa Úrsula and an MBA from IBMEC Rio de Janeiro.
Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Carolina's arrival marks a pivotal moment for Kumho Tire. Her deep expertise in the tyre industry, combined with her proven ability to build integrated marketing strategies that deliver measurable results, makes her the ideal leader to drive our next chapter. We are confident that she will be a key force in taking Kumho Tire's brand positioning to the next level."
Wagner said, "I am incredibly excited to join Kumho Tire and work alongside the executive leadership team to continue elevating the brand in the US. The company has tremendous growth potential with high-quality new products on the roadmap that deliver on its performance without compromise mantra. I'm excited to execute integrated, data-driven strategies to increase brand awareness and ultimately fuel growth."
Mahatma Gandhi University Opens Admissions For Executive M.Tech In Polymer Engineering And Nanotechnology
- By TT News
- April 27, 2026
Mahatma Gandhi University’s School of Polymer Science and Technology has announced the opening of admissions for its Executive M.Tech programme in Polymer Engineering and Nanotechnology for the 2026–27 academic year, targeting working professionals and industry-sponsored candidates seeking advanced technical specialisation.
The programme will be conducted at the Convergence Academia Complex, located on the second floor of the university campus at Priyadarshini Hills, P.O. Kottayam, Kerala. The university, which is graded as a Category 1 autonomous institution by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is positioning the course as an industry-aligned offering designed to bridge academic research and industrial application.
Admissions are currently open, with the last date for submitting applications set as 30 April 2026.
Designed For Industry Professionals
The Executive M.Tech programme is tailored specifically for working professionals, reflecting the growing demand for flexible, advanced education pathways within technical industries. Sponsored candidates from organisations, as well as direct applicants with relevant professional experience, are eligible to apply.
Candidates must hold either an M.Sc. or B.Tech degree in relevant science or engineering disciplines. While preference will be given to employed candidates, others may also be considered subject to seat availability.
The programme offers a total of 24 seats, including 20 allocated for Indian candidates and four reserved for international applicants, signalling the university’s intent to attract a diverse cohort.
Interdisciplinary Focus
The curriculum emphasises an interdisciplinary approach, combining Polymer Engineering, Nanotechnology and Materials Science. This structure reflects broader shifts within manufacturing and materials industries, where cross-domain expertise is increasingly critical.
Courses will be delivered by a mix of academic faculty and industry practitioners, ensuring exposure to both theoretical frameworks and real-world applications. The university highlights that this dual approach is aimed at equipping professionals with practical insights alongside advanced technical knowledge.
Programme Highlights
Among the key features of the course are its focus on industry relevance and its alignment with evolving technological demands. The programme is structured to support professionals in enhancing their capabilities without stepping away from their careers.
The university notes that the course is particularly suited to those looking to deepen expertise in polymer science and nanotechnology while remaining engaged in industrial roles.
Application Process
Applications for the programme must be submitted online via the official application form:
https://forms.gle/yfTeeevAVLzmuK8P9
Prospective candidates can access additional information through the School of Polymer Science and Technology’s website at spst.mgu.ac.in.
TVS Srichakra Assumes Us Sponsorship And Licence Obligations In Agreement Transfer
- By TT News
- April 23, 2026
TVS Srichakra Limited has assumed contractual rights and obligations from its US subsidiary under an agreement with Bristol Motor Speedway LLC.
The Madurai-based company said in a regulatory filing that it executed an assignment and assumption agreement on April 10, 2026 with Super Grip Corporation and Bristol Motor Speedway. Under the arrangement, TVS Srichakra takes over all rights, duties and obligations previously held by Super Grip Corporation under a suite licence agreement dated February 16, 2024 and a sponsorship agreement dated April 5, 2024.
The company will pay USD 1,033,250 in instalments over the remaining term of the agreements. No consideration is payable to Super Grip Corporation for the transfer.
The original terms of the licence and sponsorship agreements remain unchanged, and the arrangements are set to run until December 31, 2028.
TVS Srichakra said the move was intended to enhance the visibility and reach of its brands in global markets.
Super Grip Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, while Bristol Motor Speedway is an unrelated third party. The assignment between TVS Srichakra and Super Grip Corporation qualifies as a related party transaction and has been conducted on an arm’s length basis.
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