Rubber Division

Michigan Rubber Group Technical Meeting
2026-11-18
Grand Rapids, MI
Details: www.michiganrubbergroup.com

Course: Intermediate Rubber Compounding
2026-11-13 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
November 13, 2026; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
CEUs: 0.76 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: This course is available virtually only and can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet, laptop or computer.
Course Overview: This course is an overview of rubber compounding and testing. Compounding subjects include elastomers, fillers/reinforcement, plasticizers/process aids, anti-degradants and cure systems. Testing laboratory subjects will include process testing, physical properties testing, dynamic properties testing and aging. Processing subjects will include mixing, milling, molding, extrusion and calendaring. This course could be useful for chemists, engineers and technical sales staff who may be relatively new to the rubber industry and want a better understanding of how different ingredients affect a rubber compound.
Price: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructors: Paul Merda, Nicki Hershberger and Paul Pavka, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory
Paul Merda
Paul Merda is the Education Coordinator & Technical Advisor at ARDL. He has previous experience as a Lab Technician, Polymer Adhesives Chemist & High School Science Teacher with 18 years in industry and 13 teaching.
Nicki Hershberger
Nicki Hershberger is the Vice President Technical & Sales at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL). She has been in the rubber industry for around 25 years and has experience working in custom mixing and compound development for extrusion, molding, and autoclaved applications. In Nicki’s current role, she works with customers on challenging compound development projects, helps them evaluate new materials in various rubber applications, and also manages ARDL’s technical advisor/compound development group.
Paul Pavka
Currently: Technical Advisor / Rubber Compounder at ARDL
Previously: Technical Service at Franklin International
Education: B.S. Materials Science & Engineering, Ohio State; M.S. Polymer Science, University of Akron
Experience: Seven years in the rubber/plastics/adhesives industries; has taught college chemistry and materials science
About ARDL: Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Inc. (ARDL) is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory specializing in rubber, plastic, and latex materials. With over six decades of experience, ARDL offers comprehensive services including material testing, product development, process optimization, and failure analysis. Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team provide solutions across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. ARDL is committed to advancing innovation and ensuring quality in polymer products, making them a trusted partner for companies seeking reliable and accurate testing services.

Course: Introduction to Compounding, Mixing & Testing
2026-11-12 09:00 - 16:00
November 12, 2026; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
CEUs: 0.76 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: This course is available virtually only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet, laptop or computer.
Course Overview: This course provides a practical overview of elastomer compounding and processing. Topics include elastomers, fillers, oils and plasticizers and curing agents. Participants will also explore the mixing, processing and testing of elastomer compounds along with key considerations when selecting an elastomer for a specific application.
The mixing portion of the course covers several important topics related to internal mixers and the parameters that influence rubber mixing. The course begins with a brief history of mixing equipment including both mill mixers and internal mixers along with the different procedures used in each mixing process. Participants will also review the various methods used to process mixed compounds into finished parts.
The course concludes with real world examples of common problems encountered in rubber compounding and mixing. These case studies will examine what caused the issues and how they were successfully resolved in the field.
Learning Objectives

Gain an overview of the practical aspects of elastomer compounding
• Learn key considerations when selecting elastomers for specific applications
• Understand the fundamentals of rubber mixing equipment and mixing parameters
• Explore processing methods used to convert compounds into finished parts
• Engage in discussion and one on one dialogue beyond general class content
• Leverage the experience of instructors and fellow participants as a technical resource
• Receive references and contacts for future technical questions and continued learning

Price: $695 Member / $795 Non-member / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: William Stahl
Bio: William Stahl retired in March of 2023 after 45 years in the rubber industry. His main focus was in the compounding and applications for fluoroelastomer polymers. He has taught several courses for Rubber Division, ACS. He is currently a consultant for WMS Technologies, LLC (Norton, Ohio).

Ontario Rubber Group Past Chair Meeting
2026-11-05 18:00 - 21:00
Details Forthcoming

Webinar: Rubber Industry Supply Chains
2026-11-05 13:00 - 15:00
Thursday, November 5, 2026; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET
Webinar Overview: Traditionally, rubber industry supply chain actions are conducted by purchasing, whereas RD, engineering and customer service functions do not participate. Meanwhile, modern complexity of the rubber industry and its entangled global supply chains make our products vulnerable to the current volatility of political situations and economics. Disruptions of supply chains reverberate all the way down to rubber manufacturing and to customers, and it could bring major national industries to standstill.
Webinar Objective: The objective of this course is to promote awareness of supply chains effects on rubber processes, quality of products and final costs. Based on her personal experience as a chemist, plant engineer, manager and global consultant working for the rubber industry and in academia in the USA, Europe and Asia, the instructor will review risks and pathways to ensure supply chains resilience, manufacturing flexibility and cost control.
Webinar Content:

Supply chains components and functions
Significance of rubber products for the national economy
Rubber industry raw materials: types, functions and sources
Supply chain management:

Risk management
Raw materials multi-sourcing
Inventories resilience
Management of change: objectives, layout and costs

To achieve production cost efficiency and rubber product quality, the supply chain management team must include purchasing, engineering and technical departments of committed and educated professionals.
Who should attend: Purchasing agents, chemists, product and process engineers, quality professionals and managers will find this course useful. Participation of teams, including purchasing, engineering, chemical, processing, quality and marketing/sales functions is encouraged.
Price: Free for Members / $149 Non-members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Dr. Irene Yurovska
Irene Yurovska was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. After completing her BS in Chemistry, MS in Chemical Engineering (Rubber Technology) and PhD in Physical Chemistry of Polymers, she worked as a scientist for the Rubber Industry Institute and for the Institute of Aircraft Technology in Moscow.
Irene moved with her family to the US in 1991. For ten years, she lived in Rhode Island, working as a plant rubber chemist for Teknor Apex and completing her MBA in Bryant University. Irene moved to Massachusetts to be employed for 14 years as a scientist, technical service and applications specialist by Cabot Corporation in Billerica, MA. In 2016-2017, Dr. Yurovska worked as a Global Innovation Market Development Manager for Addivant Corporation (now SI Group) in CT.
Currently, after completing the long and successful career as a global rubber industry professional; having hands-on experience with rubber compounding, processing and technical service, and with carbon black and antioxidants manufacturing and properties, Dr. Irene Yurovska lives in TX, recently being employed in India as VP of Himadri Specialty Chemicals (technical service in carbon black for rubbers) and currently developing a private consulting business for the global rubber industry.
Her scientific interests include relationships between individual characteristics of ingredients and application properties of rubber products. Dr. Yurovska is the author and co-author of several patents and numerous articles in peer-reviewed and industrial publications.
Dr. Yurovska is an active member of the US rubber industry community, being on several Rubber Division, ACS committees, she served as a Chair of the New England Rubber and Plastics Group and she is on the Board of NERPG and is also a member of the Energy Polymer Group.
Irene has two children and one grandchild. She enjoys spending time with her family, world travel, swimming, and classic opera.

Webinar: Fundamentals of Machine Vision for the Inspection of Rubber Seals
2026-11-03 11:00 - 12:00
Webinar Description: In this webinar, you’ll be introduced to essential machine vision concepts, including principles of optics, lighting and digital image acquisition. You’ll then discover how to optimally image rubber seals to robustly detect dimensional, cosmetic and structural defects.
This webinar is ideal for manufacturing and quality assurance professionals who are fairly new to machine vision and are interested in implementing automated inspection solutions in their production process.
Objectives

Learn the basic principles of optics, lighting and digital imaging applied to real use cases in the rubber industry
Discover best machine vision practices to successfully inspect rubber seals
Understand what key features to look for when evaluating an investment in automatic vision inspection equipment

Price: Free for Members / $99 Non-members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Luca Palleschi, UTP Vision
Luca Palleschi is the CEO of UTPVision USA, the North American division of UTPVision. Headquartered in Italy, UTPVision is the leading manufacturer of automated vision inspection equipment for O-rings, gaskets, seals and many other rubber products, with over 1,000 machines successfully deployed worldwide. Previously, he held the position of GM at Opto Engineering USA, a machine vision company specializing in precision optics, industrial LED lighting, high resolution cameras and imaging software. Luca has over 15 years of combined experience in machine vision technologies and has collaborated with hundreds of companies in solving challenging vision inspection applications. Through UTPVision, he is thrilled to share how specialized machine vision tools can help manufacturers in the rubber industry improve production quality, increase productivity and reduce inspection-related costs.

Los Angeles Rubber Group Golf Outing
2026-11-02
Monday November 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM
Black Gold
1 Black Gold Dr.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Details & Register: www.tlargi.org

Quebec Rubber Group Technical & Commercial Dinner
2026-10-22
Details: www.aeq-qeg.info

Detroit Rubber Group Fall Technical Meeting
2026-10-22

Webinar: Gear Pump Technology in Rubber Applications
2026-10-20 10:00 - 12:00
Webinar: Gear Pump Technology in Rubber Applications
October 20, 2026; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Webinar Overview: This webinar focuses on the benefit of gear pump extruders for rubber processing and their specific characteristics. A gear pump, due to its volumetric transport characteristics, is predestined for applications such as precise extrusion and high-pressure operations, as well as precise dosing applications. By combining different extruder technologies with a gear pump, it becomes a modular system for different applications in rubber processing.
Webinar Objectives: This webinar focuses on the gear pump technology in well-known rubber processes in mixing and extrusion lines and it will include the following topics:

Introduction and history
Function principal basics of gear pumps
Process technological basics
Waste reduction and quality improvement

Straining within the straining cell
Straining within the mixing line
Straining within the extrusion line
Straining within the rework line

Gear pump technology for precise extrusion

Rubber extrusion lines
High pressure applications for wire, fiber and yarn

Gear pump technology in continuous mixing (dosing)
Gear pump technology in silicone compounding
Future applications and outlook
Summary

Who Should Take This Webinar: The webinar is designed for mechanical and chemical engineers in the rubber industry. Centered around process techniques in mixing and extrusion, it is the perfect training for individuals working in engineering, R&D or quality improvement.
Price: Free for Members / $149 Non-members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Julia Uth (M.Eng.), UTH
Bio: Julia Uth is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at UTH GmbH (Germany) – a machine manufacturer highly specialized in gear pump technology and fine mesh straining applications. After completing her master’s degree in engineering, Julia joined UTH GmbH. As a mechanical engineer, she is highly committed to the development of cutting-edge straining and mixing solutions for rubber processing that achieve more quality and sustainability while reducing costs.
About UTH GmbH: UTH GmbH is a global leader in gear pump technology and fine mesh straining systems for rubber and silicone processing. Known for precision, reliability and innovative engineering, UTH develops equipment that improves extrusion accuracy, reduces waste and enhances material quality across mixing and compounding lines. Their modular solutions support high-pressure, high-performance applications and are trusted worldwide for advancing efficiency in modern rubber production.

Mexico Rubber Group Course: Rubber Compounding Part I – Chemical Reaction Mechanism
2026-10-16
Course: Rubber Compounding Part I – Chemical Reaction Mechanism
Instructor: Soul Leonides
Rubber Chamber Facilities Location:
Hegel 153-101 Col. Polanco CP 11560
Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX
More Information:
Miguel Bernal miguelbernals@cnih.org.mx
Jose Gazano antogua@prodigy.net.mx

Webinar: Basics of Polymer Testing & Processing
2026-10-15 10:00 - 12:00
October 15, 2026; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Webinar Overview: This webinar is designed to be an introduction to the rubber industry for employees who have very little or no understanding of how rubber or plastic parts are manufactured and tested. It introduces some basic terminology used in the rubber and plastic industries. Several types of testing will be introduced, and practical examples will be shared to illustrate why parts/products are tested. Lastly, this webinar provides an overview of the rubber mixing process, as well as a few processing and curing methods commonly used in this industry.
This webinar will give new employees a big picture view of the different departments within ARDL, will illustrate how those departments work together in the big picture of the rubber industry and will emphasize why each aspect of our company is so important to rubber and plastic products that we use every day.
Price: Free for Members / $149 Non-members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Paul Merda, ARDL
Paul Merda is the Education Coordinator & Technical Advisor at ARDL. He has previous experience as a Lab Technician, Polymer Adhesives Chemist & High School Science Teacher with 18 years in industry and 13 teaching.
About ARDL: Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Inc. (ARDL) is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory specializing in rubber, plastic, and latex materials. With over six decades of experience, ARDL offers comprehensive services including material testing, product development, process optimization, and failure analysis. Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team provide solutions across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. ARDL is committed to advancing innovation and ensuring quality in polymer products, making them a trusted partner for companies seeking reliable and accurate testing services.

Course: Carbon Blacks Manufacturing, Properties & Applications in Rubber Compounds
2026-10-14 12:00 - 16:00
October 14, 2026; 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET
CEUs: 0.38 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: This course is available online only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet, laptop or computer.
Course Overview: Centered around carbon black, this course was designed to be advantageous for both technical and non-technical personnel working in the rubber industry. These topics will be covered:

CB types and the related manufacturing processes
Present status of the global CB industry, CB classification, grades and standards
CB morphology, characteristics and their effects on properties of rubber compounds
Selection of CB for various rubber processes, as extrusion, molding, etc.
Compounding with CB to rationalize raw materials, minimize costs and optimize final properties of rubber goods
Environmental effects of CB applications and recovered CB

Price: $395 Members / $495 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $50 for Other Student Members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Dr. Irene Yurovska
Irene Yurovska was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. After completing her BS in Chemistry, MS in Chemical Engineering (Rubber Technology) and PhD in Physical Chemistry of Polymers, she worked as a scientist for the Rubber Industry Institute and for the Institute of Aircraft Technology in Moscow.
Irene moved with her family to the US in 1991. For ten years, she lived in Rhode Island, working as a plant rubber chemist for Teknor Apex and completing her MBA in Bryant University. Irene moved to Massachusetts to be employed for 14 years as a scientist, technical service and applications specialist by Cabot Corporation in Billerica, MA. In 2016-2017, Dr. Yurovska worked as a Global Innovation Market Development Manager for Addivant Corporation (now SI Group) in CT.
Currently, after completing the long and successful career as a global rubber industry professional; having hands-on experience with rubber compounding, processing and technical service, and with carbon black and antioxidants manufacturing and properties, Dr. Irene Yurovska lives in TX, recently being employed in India as VP of Himadri Specialty Chemicals (technical service in carbon black for rubbers) and currently developing a private consulting business for the global rubber industry.
Her scientific interests include relationships between individual characteristics of ingredients and application properties of rubber products. Dr. Yurovska is the author and co-author of several patents and numerous articles in peer-reviewed and industrial publications.
Dr. Yurovska is an active member of the US rubber industry community, being on several Rubber Division, ACS committees, she served as a Chair of the New England Rubber and Plastics Group and she is on the Board of NERPG and is also a member of the Energy Polymer Group.
Irene has two children and one grandchild. She enjoys spending time with her family, world travel, swimming, and classic opera.

Los Angeles Rubber Group Oktoberfest
2026-10-13 12:00 - 20:30
Click here for details.

Webinar: Optimizing Rubber Molding Process through Advanced Simulations
2026-10-08 11:00 - 12:00
Webinar Description: In this webinar, attendees will learn how simulating the behavior of rubber, silicones and LSRs during injection, transfer and compression molding process can help understand the root cause of various molding issues like imbalances, air, uneven curing, flashing, etc. Continuous improvements in part design, mold design and molding process are essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-expanding rubber molding market. By using advanced CAE simulation technologies, design phases can be shortened, molding process can be predicted and molded parts can be optimized.
Objectives & What Will Be Covered:

Use of simulation of rubber materials to accurately predict flow behavior and shear-induced heating effects
New fully automatic BLM (Boundary Layer Mesh) technology used to create accurate mesh density in required areas
Learn how high shear rates in thin film or pin gates and thin wall thicknesses can cause shear-induced heat which influences viscosity, flow behavior and flow-induced premature scorch and cure effects.

In this webinar, several real-life production examples will demonstrate how advanced mesh technologies can be used to better predict shear-induced material flow behavior though the transfer molding process. In addition, how the shot size and process condition will affect flow length and vent location will be presented.
Price: Free for Members / $99 Non-members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Harshal Bhogesra, Moldex3D
Bio: Harshal Bhogesra has over 9 years of combined experience in molding and customer and supplier development. He is passionate about optimizing product design, tool development, molding processes and quality. Harshal is currently working with rubber, LSR, silicone and plastic molding companies to help them eliminate their complex molding challenges like air entrapment, filling imbalances, knit lines, uneven curing, shrinkage, etc.
Through Moldex3D technology, he has helped clients reduce engineering time and cost in various industries including defense, automotive, medical, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, etc. who are concerned by the trial and errors on the production floor.
Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, interior designing, NFL, and adventure sports.
About Moldex3D: Moldex3D is the world-leading CAE simulation platform for injection molding that enables engineers to virtually simulate flow, curing, cooling, and complex material behavior in 3D. It helps identify molding defects, optimize gate and mold design, reduce trial-and-error and shorten development cycles. With support for plastics, silicones, LSR, and elastomers, Moldex3D bridges design and production to deliver higher quality parts faster.

GPS 2026 - Educational Symposium
2026-09-29 - 2026-09-30
Tuesday, Sept. 29 & Wednesday, Sept. 30
Take a deep dive into some valuable topics with these courses taking place during our Global Polymer Summit in Louisville, Kentucky:
► Adhesion Science & Polyurethane Adhesives
► Compounding Fluoroelastomers
► Developing a Rubber Molding Process
► Developments in Tire Materials Science &
Engineering
► Essential Rubber Testing: What The Data Tells You
► Foundations of Elastomer Technology
► Introduction to Elastomer Durability
► Non-tire Specialty Elastomers
► Rubber Extrusion Technology
► Rubber Vulcanization & Curing Chemistry
► Silicone Rubber Foundations
► The Rubber Initiative® – Next-Generation
Executive Leadership
The GPS Educational Symposium is sponsored by Parker Lord.
CLICK HERE FOR COURSE DETAILS.

2026 Global Polymer Summit
2026-09-28 - 2026-09-30 | Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S 4th St, Louisville, KY, 40202, United States
Presented by IEC & ITEC
Louisville, Kentucky
Kentucky International Convention Center
The 2026 Global Polymer Summit (GPS) is the most valuable destination for professionals across the rubber, elastomer and tire industries to expand their network, learn from experts and explore business opportunities. It brings together the best companies, the brightest minds and the most influential buyers all in one place and bridges the tire and rubber industries through comprehensive programming, engaging discussions and a dynamic all-in-one event.
The merging of the International Elastomer Conference (IEC) and the International Tire Exposition & Conference (ITEC) brings together top companies and programming into one exceptional event that you won’t want to miss!
Register before August 1st for discounted prices!

Learn More

Register Now

What Can I Expect?
At GPS 2026, you won’t just hear about what’s next in the tire, rubber and elastomer industries, you’ll experience it firsthand. Explore cutting-edge products, services and technologies from leading developers, gain fresh insights from expert-led panels and presentations and connect with the people shaping the future of polymers. Whether you’re looking to spark new ideas, build meaningful relationships or stay ahead of industry trends, GPS 2026 is designed to move your business and your network forward.
Wondering about registration, travel or what to expect at GPS? We’ve got you covered.
See FAQs

A Packed Three Days of Learning, Connection & Celebration
GPS 2026 delivers a full schedule of technical, educational and networking opportunities designed to keep attendees engaged from start to finish. Between time on the Expo floor, structured programming and receptions, attendees will have multiple ways to learn, connect and celebrate throughout the summit. Expect a range of programming and events, including:

Expo
Technical, Business & Industry Presentations
Educational Symposium
Women’s Event
Student Programs
Young Professionals Events
Receptions
5K Walk/Run
Keynote Address
Awards Banquet

See the Full Schedule
Some Exciting Changes & Enhancements

One registration type provides access to all technical & theater programming
Technical, business & industry sessions located on the Expo floor
Two high-energy Expo days designed to maximize engagement
Each Expo day concludes with a reception on the Expo floor

Who Should Attend?
GPS 2026 is designed for professionals in the rubber, tire, elastomer and polymer industries, including:

Manufacturers
Suppliers
Distributors
Researchers
Engineers
Anyone with a professional interest in the latest innovations and trends in these sectors

What makes GPS special?
This event offers more than just top-tier learning, networking and business opportunities. GPS is a truly unique experience unlike any other. The entire industry comes together in a way that feels more like a family reunion than a conference. It’s fun, warm, inclusive and especially welcoming to newcomers eager to be part of something bigger.
Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new ones, every conversation is genuine, and every connection holds potential. Imagine what’s possible in an atmosphere like that!
See Details & Register
Get the Latest GPS 2026 Updates
Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) or sign up for email updates to stay up-to-date with the latest news about GPS 2026.

Los Angeles Rubber Group GLTPC Scholarship Golf Outing
2026-09-21

Ontario Rubber Group Golf Tournament
2026-09-18 | Royal Ontario Golf Club, 6378 Trafalgar Rd.., Milton, Ontario, L0P 1E0, Canada

Ohio Rubber Group Fall Technical Meeting
2026-09-15 16:00 - 21:00 | Hilton Garden Inn,Twinsburg, OH
Click here for details and to register.

Course: Processing & Testing of Rubber
2026-09-15 09:00 - 14:00 | Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, 75 E. Robinson Ave., Barberton, OH, 44203, United States
September 15, 2026; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET including a tour of Akron Rubber Development Laboratory
CEUs: 0.38 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: This course is in-person at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory – 75 E. Robinson Ave., Barberton, OH 44203.
This course is being held in conjunction with the Ohio Rubber Group Technical Meeting and is FREE for Ohio Rubber Group members. You can become an ORG member, learn about and purchase the Ohio Rubber Group Technical Meeting separately here: https://www.ohiorubbergroup.org/event/fall-technical-meeting-2026/
Course Overview: This half-day course will give an in-depth look at mixing, testing and vulcanizing of rubber.
Topics Covered:

Incoming raw material inspection
Key characteristics for certain raw materials
Mixing rubber: rotor types, batch sizing, 1-pass vs. 2-pass, conventional vs. upside down mixing, raw materials that require special attention during mixing, common mixing and milling problems, and batch take-off.
Testing for quality control: rheology, Mooney, durometer, unaged physical properties, specific gravity, and dispersion testing.
Vulcanization of rubber: molding, extrusion, steam cure.

All registration fees will be used to sponsor students to attend the 2026 Global Polymer Summit in Louisville, KY.
Price: $495 Member / $595 Non-member / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members
*Ohio Rubber Group members receive this course for FREE.
Already a member? Ohio Rubber Group will provide you with a discount code.
Not a member? Email hmaimone@rubber.org to join.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Paul Merda, ARDL
Bio: Paul Merda is the Education Coordinator & Technical Advisor at ARDL. He has previous experience as a Lab Technician, Polymer Adhesives Chemist & High School Science Teacher with 18 years in industry and 13 teaching.
About ARDL: Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Inc. (ARDL) is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory specializing in rubber, plastic, and latex materials. With over six decades of experience, ARDL offers comprehensive services including material testing, product development, process optimization, and failure analysis. Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team provide solutions across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. ARDL is committed to advancing innovation and ensuring quality in polymer products, making them a trusted partner for companies seeking reliable and accurate testing services.

Energy Polymer Group Fall Conference – Educational Symposium & Technical Meeting
2026-09-15 - 2026-09-17
September 15 – 17, 2026
– Tremont Hotel in Galveston, Texas
– Details & Register: https://energypolymergroup.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php

Quebec Rubber Group Get Together
2026-09-12
Visit www.aeq-qeg.info for details.

Mexico Rubber Group Course: Rubber Recycling Part II
2026-09-03
Course: Rubber Recycling Part II
Instructor: Jose Gazano
Rubber Chamber Facilities Location:
Hegel 153-101 Col. Polanco CP 11560
Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX
More Information:
Miguel Bernal miguelbernals@cnih.org.mx
Jose Gazano antogua@prodigy.net.mx

Ohio Rubber Group Late Summer Golf Outing
2026-08-31 07:00 - 20:00 | Silver Lake Country Club, 1325 Graham Rd, Silver Lake, OH, 44224, United States

Course: Thermoplastic Elastomers - From Fundamentals to Novel Applications
2026-08-27 09:00 - 17:00
August 27, 2026; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
CEUs: 0.76 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: This course is available virtually only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet, laptop or computer.
Course Overview: With growing global concern regarding the increasing level of solid waste due to polymeric materials and interest in material recycling, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) provide an attractive alternative to conventional elastomers. This class of materials relies on combining thermoplastic and elastomeric properties into single macromolecules, along with physical, rather than chemical, crosslinking to introduce elasticity. While a wide range of TPEs is commercially available, most TPEs rely on a block copolymer in which macromolecules consist of three or more long, contiguous sequences of dissimilar chemical species. Due to thermodynamic incompatibility between these sequences, these molecules self-assemble into mesoscale morphologies and form a flexible molecular network that is stabilized by rigid microdomains that serve as physical crosslinks. This course will introduce participants to different types and contemporary uses of TPEs, in addition to the molecular design, synthesis and characteristics of TPEs derived from block copolymers. Thermodynamic considerations regarding network formation and bridging metrics in TPEs will be addressed by experimental observations, theoretical predictions and computer simulations. Blends of TPEs and their uses in conventional and emerging applications will be described, as will the chemical functionalization of TPEs for specialized technologies (e.g., designer additives, organic photovoltaics, soft actuators, separation membranes and antimicrobial materials).
Learning Objectives:
– Distinguish and classify the different families of TPEs that are presently available
– Identify commercial applications that benefit from the properties afforded by TPEs
– Differentiate between physical and chemical crosslinking in terms of network formation
– Relate network formation to microphase separation in TPEs based on block copolymers
– Discuss the effects of molecular characteristics on structure-property relationships
– Design TPE-containing blends with polymers for targeted morphologies and properties
– Compare mechanical and electromechanical properties of selectively solvated TPEs
– Modify TPEs either physically or chemically to introduce stimuli-responsiveness
– Functionalize TPEs for use in environment-, energy- and health-related applications
– Choose (un)functionalized TPEs as compatibilizing agents in biphasic polymer blends
Topical Outline:
– Different classes of TPEs as physically-crosslinked elastomers
– Block copolymers differing in molecular characteristics as TPEs
– Self-assembly and network formation in block copolymer TPEs
– Network characteristics of TPEs varying in molecular characteristics
– Structure-property relationships of TPE-containing polymer blends
– Selectively-solvated TPEs as an emerging class of tunably soft materials
– Viscoelasticity and network characteristics in TPE gels for targeted applications
– Introduction to electroactive and other stimuli-responsive TPE systems
– Functional TPEs with photoresponsive, separation and antimicrobial properties
– Native/functional TPEs for toughening, compatibilization and novel purposes
Price: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Instructor: Richard J. Spontak, North Carolina State University
Bio: Dr. Richard J. Spontak is a Distinguished Professor and Alumni Distinguished Graduate and Undergraduate Professor in the Departments of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. He received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering (with honors/high distinction) from the Pennsylvania State University in 1983 and was later awarded the Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1988. He then pursued post-doctoral research in Materials Science & Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge (U.K.) and Condensed Matter Physics at the Institute for Energy Technology (Norway) before joining the Corporate Research Division of the Procter & Gamble Company in 1990. In 1992, he accepted a faculty position at North Carolina State University, where he supervises the Macromolecular Materials & Morphology Group. Since that time, Spontak has published over 280 peer-reviewed journal papers and over 30 scholarly works as book chapters and invited monographs, and his work has been featured on 29 journal covers and cited over 12,000 times according to Google Scholar. Although active in a diverse range of disciplines, his primary research interests relate to the phase behavior and morphology/property development of nanostructured polymers, polymer nanocomposites and coatings, electron microscopy and stimuli-responsive soft materials. In recognition of his fundamental and applied research endeavors, he is the recipient of numerous honors and awards such as the Alcoa Foundation Engineering Achievement and Distinguished Engineering Research Awards, Alexander von Humboldt and Tewkesbury fellowships, the North Carolina State University Alumni Outstanding Research and Global Engagement Awards, the 2006 American Chemical Society (PMSE Division) Cooperative Research Award in Polymer Science & Engineering, the 2007 German Society for Electron Microscopy Ernst Ruska Prize, the 2008 American Chemical Society (Rubber Division) Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award, the 2011 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Colwyn Medal, the 2012 Norwegian University of Science & Technology Lars Onsager Medal and the 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers International Award. An elected fellow of the American Physical Society, IOM3 and the Royal Society of Chemistry, he is or has been on the editorial advisory board of more than 20 international journals and holds editorial positions on three of them. He has been recognized as a 2007 Outstanding Scholar Alumnus and a 2012 Alumni Fellow by the Pennsylvania State University, and he is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences and the North Carolina State University Research Leadership, Global Engagement and Outstanding Teaching Academies. Spontak is also a highly acclaimed educator and academic mentor. For his instructional effectiveness employing cooperative and active learning pedagogies in the classroom and his widespread efforts to promote interdisciplinary engineering design and undergraduate research, he has received college- and alumni-level Outstanding Teaching Awards, as well as the university-level Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the highest institutional honor bestowed by the University of North Carolina system. He has also received the 2006 International Network for Engineering Education & Research Recognition Award and the 2009 American Society for Engineering Education Southeast Region Outstanding Mid-Career Teaching Award, and he has served as a Fulbright Senior Specialist and an Erasmus Fellow. He resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife Josie and has two children, Danielle and Joshua.

Course: Sponge Rubber 101
2026-08-25 09:00 - 17:00
August 25, 2026; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
CEUs: 0.66 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: This course is available virtually only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet, laptop or computer.
Course Overview: This course was developed for those who currently make flexible cellular elastomer products and wish to expand their knowledge or students wanting to gain insights into these materials and how they can be used. This course will offer an overview of cellular material’s terminology, potential applications, economics, specifications, raw materials and compound construction. Additionally, there will be a review of the various processes used to produce cellular elastomer products, including mixing, various types of extrusion and molding.
This discussion will offer helpful tips, the dos and the don’ts of producing cellular elastomer products that can be applied by the participants in real world applications of their own. The course will not contain content about cellular thermoplastic rubber or foamed products. The course will include opportunities for questions and answers or follow-up with the instructor.
“The Sponge Rubber 101 course helped me gain an understanding of compounding to manufacturing of open cell elastomers for downhole tool applications. The instructor showed extensive experience and solid knowledge on this topic. I really benefitted from this course!” – Xiaohong Ren
Price: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 Other Student Members
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Instructor: Richard D. Strong, President, Elastomeric Consulting Services LLC
Bio:
Richard Strong is currently President and CEO of Elastomeric Consulting Services. He is a 1971 graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth where he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was awarded the Fred E. Busby award for outstanding work in Chemistry.
Strong has over 50 years of experience in various aspects of rubber technology and has served as Chief Technical Officer for over 30 years of his career. His background includes raw material sourcing, compound design, processing and testing with organic elastomers and silicone, including cellular rubber. He has broad expertise in process development, documentation, control and troubleshooting, in addition to extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds.
Strong’s consulting business has been conducted both domestically and internationally. It includes development and presentation of educational programs for individual companies and for professional organizations, colleges and universities. He also does hands on work with production companies to achieve improvements in their compounds and production processes. In addition, he works with raw material suppliers to teach them how their products might be used in the rubber industry.
In March 2019, his book Sponge Rubber, An Introduction to Cellular Rubber was published by TechnoBiz as a companion reference for the course he also presents of the same name for the Rubber Division, ACS and Akron Polymer Technical Services. He has also developed and presented two other courses, An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization and Rubber Extrusion Technology for these organizations. Strong developed a course on Sponge Rubber in cooperation with the University of Akron and the High Institute for Elastomer Industries to be presented in Saudi Arabia. He has recorded a four-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz.
Strong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio. He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter, plus 3 grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys walking, reading, working with his wife in their flower beds/gardens and fostering senior rescue dogs.

Detroit Rubber Group Golf Outing
2026-08-18 08:00 - 17:00
Location: Northville Hills Golf Club

Registration starts at 8 a.m.
Be at carts by 8:45 a.m.
9 a.m. shotgun start.

Contact Chris Tolliver at chrisjtolliver@gmail.com with any questions or to register.
Looking for sponsors – please reach out if interested!
