Plastics Hall of Fame reveals class of 2024

The Plastics Hall of Fame can serve as a way to remember and honor the past while also providing a foundation to build industry today and tomorrow, president of the hall believes.

So with that outlook, the Plastics Hall of Fame has named 17 new members to the group who will be honored at the upcoming NPE2024 in Orlando, Fla., in May.

It's a group of both living inductees as well as those who are being inducted posthumously. The Plastics Hall of Fame, also has dug back into the annals of plastics to find two historical figures that have been previously overlooked in the more than 50 years the Hall of Fame has been around.

As president of the Plastics Hall of Fame, Maureen Steinwall is front and center in guiding the selection process, a process that includes a three-step approach to whittle down the field to the eventual winners. Nominees are first considered by a nominating committee and then the Plastics Hall of Fame board before finally being voted on by living members of the group.

"The mission is to identify and honor individuals whose innovation and leadership have advanced the plastics industry and provided valuable solutions to societal needs," Steinwall said.

With this year's inductees, the Plastics Hall of Fame now has 236 members, said Steinwall, herself a 2015 inductee.

The hall, she said, has a "mission to keep the history of our industry alive and celebrated," she said. Those joining the plastics industry today are "going to stand on the shoulders of some pretty impressive and innovative people who have made some pretty good things happen in this world."

Rainer Armbruster, Foboha GmbH, Germany. Innovator of injection cube molds.

"Rainer Armbruster laid the foundation for this success story with the initial idea for cube molds at the beginning of the 2000s. Over the following decades, he has developed cube molding technology through his extraordinary talent and commitment to this focused innovation," the hall said.

"His career achievements enable the industry to manufacture even the most complex injection molded components in fewer work steps and with less space requirement on the shop floor. Due to his numerous accomplishments over the last decades, Rainer Armbruster is known to be the most innovative mold maker to date," the hall said.

Luigi Bandera, Costruzioni Meccaniche Luigi Bandera SpA, Italy. Founder and pioneer in extrusion equipment.

"In 1947, after the end of the Second World War, at 25 years old, he founded Costruzioni Meccaniche Luigi Bandera in Busto Arsizio, his hometown, located 30 km north of Milan. Originally focused on PVC and rubber extrusion systems, thanks to Mr. Bandera's entrepreneurial spirit, through the years, the company has developed his activities in various extrusion fields, such as extrusion equipment for profiles, sheets, flexible film, and other disciplines within the extrusion industry," the hall said.

"Nowadays, Bandera, with its worldwide business activity, is one of the most well-known realities in the manufacture of top-notch plastics extrusion machinery."

Joseph Biesenberger, co-founder of Polymer Processing Institute, USA. Expert in devolatilization of polymers.

"Biesenberger was recognized as perhaps the top expert on devolatilization in the world and authored the last textbook on the subject, Devolatilization of Polymers, in 1983," the hall said. "Joseph was an outstanding educator, an accomplished research scientist, and a pioneer in applying basic chemical engineering principles to large-scale industrial plastics processing.

"In 1982, he was one of the two founders of the Polymer Processing Institute, a joint creation of Stevens [Institute] and the New Jersey Institute of Technology. This group was an independent, nonprofit industrial consulting corporation with extensive laboratory facilities on both campuses," the hall said.

Jacques Brandenberger, La Cellophane SA and DuPont, France. Inventor of cellophane. Historical figure selection.

"Made from wood cellulose, cellophane was originally intended as a coating to make cloth stain-resistant. Brandenberger wanted to develop a material that would repel liquid by spraying a waterproof viscose coating onto fabric. But the resulting fabric was too stiff, and the coating easily separated from the backing cloth, producing a thin transparent film," the hall said. "Brandenberger abandoned his original idea when he realized the potential for the new material. He named his film cellophane, derived from cellulose and diaphane, the French word for translucent.

"Brandenberger sold the U.S. rights to DuPont in 1923. Cellophane became a world-famous brand, a landmark in the chemical industry. By 1938, cellophane accounted for 10 percent of DuPont's sales and 25 percent of its profits. It was an essential material during WWII where it was used as rain capes for U.S. soldiers and packaged their rations," the hall said.

Michael Cude, Coeur Inc. and ITW Medical, USA. Innovator in medical plastics replacing stainless-steel.

"Mike has had a long and successful career in the medical plastics industry, spanning 40 years. He holds 19 patents, primarily in cardiology, radiology and general surgery. He was the driving force behind the automation and tooling solutions in both the molding and assembly operations of their plants. The design for manufacturability experience led to extensive interaction with customers driving new medical device innovation," the hall said. "Mike created a toolmaking company in Portugal and led the startup and operation of nine medical plastics manufacturing plants in the U.S., Mexico and Ireland."

Arthur Eichengrün, Cellon-Werke, Germany. Developed the processes for manufacturing cellulose acetate. Historical figure selection.

"Arthur Eichengrün (1867–1949) was a chemist, materials scientist and inventor who began his career with Bayer & Co. in Germany in 1896. He is known for developing the highly successful anti-gonorrhea drug Protargol, for co-discovering aspirin and for his pioneering contributions in plastics. Eichengrün co-developed the first soluble cellulose acetate materials in 1903, called Cellit, and influenced the early development of plastic injection molding," the hall said.

"He contributed to photochemistry by inventing the first process for the production and development of cellulose acetate film, which he patented with Theodore Becker in 1903. It was used to manufacture cinematographic film, which Eastman Kodak and the Pathé Frères began using in 1909. Cellulose acetate film became the standard, preferred over the highly flammable film produced from Nitrocellulose," the hall said.

Eichengrün, who was Jewish, left Bayer in 1908 and started his own lab and manufacturing plant, Cellon-Werke. There he advanced the science of injection molding by developing the first injection molding press in 1919.

"In 1933, the Nazis forced Eichengrün to sell his company. Ten years later, he was imprisoned, and in 1944, was sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. He was freed on May 8, 1945, when Soviet troops liberated the camp," the hall said.

Joseph Gerber, Gerber Scientific Inc., USA. Commercialization of automation systems, including eyeglass lens manufacturing.

More than a quarter century following his death, H. Joseph Gerber is being recognized for his contributions to the plastics industry through his induction.

Gerber was the founder and president of Gerber Scientific Inc. and was given the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1994, the "nation's highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States on America's leading inventors," according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Gerber held more than 600 patents as he worked on inventions across a wide swath of industries, including plastics. His work includes automation of plastic prescription lenses that allowed glasses to be quickly made on-site at optometrists' offices. He also created technology to produce specialty films from digital designs. Mr. Gerber also automated the making of billboards and signs, including the first digital systems to produce those products.

Arthur Haag, PureChem and Neutrex, USA. Innovator in the manufacture of purity titanium catalysts.

Haag was the "titanium man" of the plastics materials industry. His 70-year-plus career included leadership developing, producing and marketing specialty chemicals for the plastics manufacturing industry and later the plastics molding industry," the hall said.

"Haag developed, produced and commercialized titanium and organic catalysts for manufacturing plastics. Haag invented methods and equipment to manufacture high purity titanium catalysts [four U.S. patents]," the hall said. Haag later invented the Purgex line of purging compounds.

"Haag loved the plastics business so much he never retired," the hall said.

Wendy Hoenig, Dow and H&H Business Development, USA. Executive leader: VP of R&D Dow Coating Solutions.

"Hoenig is known for her leadership, mentorship and ability to choose winning technologies. She made major contributions to the plastics industry during her tenure at Dow from 1986-2010. There she held executive leadership positions in North America and Europe, including global business and R&D director for ventures and business development for the Performance Plastics & Chemical businesses and vice president of R&D for Dow Coating Solutions," the hall said.

"After retirement, Hoenig founded H&H Business Development. Before making major investments, this consulting firm provides technology and business assessments for private equity, venture capital and startups. She has consulted for global companies in Europe and Asia to scale up packaging and rubber manufacturing technologies. Part of the business model is to serve as officers for startups. She has worked for Molecular Rebar Design to launch carbon nanotubes for elastomers and currently works for Peak Nano in launching nanolayer films for optics and specialty films," the hall said.

Walter Kaminsky, University of Hamburg, Germany. Tailoring the microstructure of polyolefins by employing MAO.

"In the early 1980s, professor Walter Kaminsky discovered the most effective way to use metallocene catalysts to tailor polyolefins' microstructure by employing methylaluminoxane (MAO) in the catalyst systems. This discovery revolutionized the polyolefin industry. Today, more than 20 billion pounds of polyolefin plastics and elastomers are being produced annually by the polyolefin industries globally," the hall said. "The polyolefin industry regarded professor Kaminsky as the father of modern metallocene technology.

"In recent years, Kaminsky worked on plastic waste recycling technologies. New pyrolysis plants were built using Kaminsky's technology to recycle plastic wastes that turned into oil and gas," the hall said.

Chihiro Kanagawa, Shintech and Shin-Etsu, Japan. Chairman of Shin-Etsu Chemical and Vinyl Environment Council.

Chihiro Kanagawa was the chairman of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. He also was the chairman and founder of Shintech Inc. Shintech, which is one of Shin-Etsu Chemical's subsidiaries, is the world's largest manufacturer of PVC, according to information provided by the hall. Kanagawa established Shintech in 1973. He introduced PVC production technology, including large-scale polymerizer developed by Shin-Etsu Chemical, to Shintech.

Kanagawa also was chairman of the Vinyl Environmental Council of Japan. During his tenure, he worked on enlightening the public about the value of PVC, which is superior in its physical properties and processability and economical as well as environmentally friendly, the hall said.

Dr. Cato Laurencin, University of Connecticut, USA. Scientist and chemist working with polymeric nanofiber technology for tissue regeneration.

"Laurencin is the leading polymeric materials chemist and scientist applying work to biology. Laurencin's seminal studies have included the conceptualization and development of polymeric nanofiber technology for tissue regeneration, the design, synthesis, fabrication and creation of composites of polymers and ceramics for musculoskeletal repair and regeneration," the hall said.

"His breakthrough achievements described in early papers and seminal patents ... set the stage for the launch of entire fields of research. His nanofiber technology work has not only created new knowledge and technologies that have crossed over to medicine and biomedical engineering but has also launched new fields outside of medicine.

"Laurencin pioneered the development of polymer and polymer-ceramic systems for musculoskeletal use," the hall said.

Wolfgang Meyer, various companies. Technical expert in retrofitting extrusion heads in blow molding.

Meyer was president at North American subsidiaries of German equipment manufacturers Battenfeld, Kautex and W. Müller. He founded Plastics Business Consultants, representing Bekum America in the Northeast United States since 2018.

"Early in his career, Wolfgang recognized that relying only on expertise from overseas to support customers, U.S. subsidiaries needed to be self-sufficient. His accomplishments through a career of more than 40 years included building national and regional organizations with knowledgeable, well-trained staff to support advanced equipment and technologies. More importantly, constantly updating their knowledge base and monitoring performance was mandatory to satisfy a demanding customer base," the hall said.

Chris Rauwendaal, Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering Inc., USA. Extrusion expert and consultant.

Rauwendaal has worked in extrusion for 50 years, working for American Enka Corp. and Raychem Corp. before starting his own company, Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering Inc., in 1990.

"Chris obtained U.S. and international patents related to extrusion and mixing. He published over 300 technical papers, many of them reviewed papers. Chris has written seven highly regarded books on extrusion, mixing, injection molding and statistical process control. First published in 1986, his Polymer Extrusion book is one of the most successful and widely used books on extrusion — it is now in its fifth edition," the hall said.

"Chris has developed several patented screw designs, mixing elements, and extruder components. He has designed thousands of extruder screws for extrusion and injection molding. Chris has made several contributions to extrusion theory," the hall said.

G. Victor Sammet Sr.,Extrusion Engineering Inc., USA. Visionary — funded the start of the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., now known as Plastics Industry Association.

"G. Victor Sammet Sr. provided pioneering leadership and financial support to the plastics industry for decades. In 1937, he recommended and contributed the first substantial funding to establish the Society of the Plastics Industry, signed the SPI's original articles of incorporation, presided as the first SPI president (provisional) and served on the SPI's inaugural board," the hall said.

"Prior to the formation of the SPI, Sammet chaired the Uniform Cost Accounting Committee of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Molded Division, a predecessor to the SPI. Later, Sammet and several of his employees helped charter the Plastic Pioneers Association (PPA/Old Timers), which documented and preserved the histories of people who contributed to the plastics industry," the hall said.

He co-founded Northern Industrial Chemical Company in 1907, which grew to one of South Boston's largest employers. NIC's introductory oleo-coloring business self-funded plastics research and future molding capacity expansions, according to the hall.

Nick Schott, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA. Led the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s plastics program to international recognition.

"After a short stint in the plastics industry, Nick accepted a position as an assistant professor of plastics technology at Lowell Technological Institute, known today as University of Massachusetts Lowell. Nick progressed through the ranks at Lowell and served as the plastics department chair for 15-plus of his 40 years at Lowell, before retiring in 2010," the hall said.

"Nick Schott's greatest professional accomplishments related to his leadership [have] helped make Lowell's plastics engineering department a leader in plastics engineering and research. His vision and ability to find practical solutions to issues that arise between students, staff, faculty, alumni and administrators remain unequaled," the hall said. "UMass Lowell's Plastics Program evolved from a regional program to an internationally recognized program."

Kurt Swogger, Dow Chemical and Molecular Rebar Design Inc., USA. Polyolefin research and development director for Dow’s Insite line of business.

"In his early career at Dow, he made significant contributions to the technologies and the business value of Dow's plastics-based consumer products, including Ziploc bags and Saran wraps, before these products were sold to S.C. Johnson," the hall said.

"In 1991, Swogger became the global R&D director for Dow's polyolefin product business, at a time when the Dow polyolefin business was losing money and was considered for sale. Once he became the polyolefin R&D director, he quickly realized the opportunities of the newly developed metallocene catalyst technology. Working with the research team, Swogger linked the metallocene catalyst technology with materials science, process technology and marketing for new product innovations. Later, Dow trademarked this new technology network created by Kurt as Insite technology," the hall said.

"After retiring from Dow in 2008, Swogger founded a new company called Molecular Rebar Design. Molecular Rebar Design developed a new form of carbon nanotube plastics and rubber reinforcement for energy storage devices. Swogger is now the inventor/co-inventor of over 120 granted patents," the hall said.

Steinwall said the Plastics Hall of Fame helps to provide perspective.

"The Hall of Fame's purpose is to honor people who have brought forth important solutions to our world's issues," Steinwall said. "We hear of a social problem. We invent the material. We create the processes. We commercialize it so it's manufacturable, and we go off and solve a problem. These successes need to be remembered so we learn from our history as we move forward.

"As our industry evolves, we think it's incumbent upon us to remember the dedicated work of these individuals and how their accomplishments changed our lives," she said.

"It also brings context around our current issues today. It's not the first time the industry has been challenged. We have a lot of faith in our innovators and inventors," she said.

New Hall of Fame members will be feted at a celebration during NPE2024 in Orlando, Fla., in May. A Walk of Fame display featuring information on all members of the hall will be at booth W2380 as part of the Innovation Stage.