Here is chit chat with Steffen Braune, Head of Products at TROESTER

Braune, you have been there for a quite long period in the extrusion business already. How has been the journey?

I started my career in the tyre industry more than 10 years ago. I began as a designer but changed very quickly to project engineer in the extrusion business. I was mainly responsible for Indian customers and due to the long period of time, a close relationship was build.

Where do you see your biggest challenge?

With the expansion in 2019, we increased our portfolio and have a huge variety of extrusion equipment for tyre and technical gum production. We are able to serve our customers with the best equipment for their requirements. Nevertheless, we are in the phase to standardise our products in order to have the best and first choice for our customers.

Do you see any trends in regard to your Indian customers?

We see the Indian rubber industry growing not only for their internal market but also in terms of export products to the EU or US (OE and replacement). As those tyres have to be labelled, this is bringing new requirements in terms of product quality and process stability. We can bring our bright experience and solutions as a benefit to our Indian customers, so that their operation is prepared for the correct supply. 

How about new developments to support?

We are optimising our extrusion portfolio every day. The components to be produced are getting thinner and different compounds are used. This has to be handled with care in the whole line supplied. The mechanical parts of the machine have to be perfect. 

Regarding the electrical and software components, we are putting more effort for ‘high sophisticated intelligence’ in our lines. The ‘TROESTER Analysing and Monitoring System (TAM-System)’ is a result of our research efforts in the past years. The system records different information of the extrusion equipment and helps our customers to get more analytics and AI software modules. We see this as the right answer and tool for the need of our customers who have more and more difficulties while finding operators with the skills required. 

Are you doing the same in the equipment supplied for the extrusion of technical gum parts?

Sure, let`s take as an example the extrusion of tubes. In the past years, TROESTER has developed the different heads further. We now have all the heads equipped with a measurement tool and a close loop control in order to have a constant centred wall thickness accuracy below 1/100 mm. By doing so, we have enabled our customers to have a high quality process under control with the reduction of usage of high sophisticated and very expansive compound.

Can you retrofit such systems?

Yes, all such solutions are able to be retrofitted.

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Kumho Tyre UK Ltd is continuing to invest in its truck and bus tyre operations with the expansion of its sales leadership team. The company has promoted Tony McHugh to the role of Sales Director for the TBR division, having previously worked with the business on a consultancy basis. In a parallel move, industry veteran Stewart Little has been appointed as TBR Sales Manager.

Little brings over four decades of tyre industry expertise to the position. Beginning his career in 1983 at branch level, he has since built a comprehensive understanding of the commercial sector through hands-on experience in retail, wholesale, and sales management. Prior to joining Kumho, he spent eight years at Giti, where he served most recently as UK Sales Manager following a five-year period in wholesale. His career also includes a 26-year tenure at National Tyres, equipping him with deep operational insight.

McHugh’s elevation to Sales Director recognises his strategic input into Kumho’s truck tyre development and signals the company’s growing confidence in its TBR product range. Together, these changes reinforce Kumho’s commitment to strengthening its position in the commercial vehicle tyre market through both internal progression and targeted external recruitment.

Little said: “I am extremely proud to be joining Kumho Tyre. It is a brand with a well-established reputation as a premium mid-range manufacturer, offering reliable performance and outstanding value to both dealers and end users. Kumho is a name that needs very little introduction, and I am looking forward to contributing to the continued success and enthusiasm of the team. Having spent my career working across all areas of the trade, I’m excited to bring that experience into the business at a time of such positive growth.”

Welcoming both announcements, Richard Lyons, Managing Director at Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Tony on his promotion to Sales Director (TBR) and to welcome Stewart to the Kumho team. These appointments demonstrate our ongoing investment in people as we continue to strengthen our position in the truck tyre market. Kumho now offers one of the most robust and competitive TBR ranges available, combining performance, durability and value. With Tony’s leadership and Stewart’s extensive industry experience, we are well positioned to support our customers and drive the next phase of growth for the brand.”

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Finorchem Limited, a notable player in the speciality chemicals sector, has announced a key leadership appointment aimed at strengthening its operational and technological capabilities. The company has named R B Vishwanath as the Business Head – Manufacturing & Technology, based at its Kolkata Head Office.

This strategic move brings over four decades of chemical process industry expertise to Finorchem, with a particular emphasis on the rubber chemicals segment where Vishwanath has contributed for more than 20 years. The appointment signals Finorchem's commitment to advancing its manufacturing excellence and technological innovation.

Vishwanath is a graduate of the University of Madras with professional training in Chemical Technology. He further honed his leadership skills by completing a Post Graduate Program in Chief Operating Officer from the University of Kent's Kent Business School, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam (IIM-V).

His distinguished career began in 1986 at Parke Davis in the Process Development Lab. He later spent 15 impactful years at Resonance Specialties, rising to the position of General Manager – Operations. In this role, he was instrumental in piloting, commissioning, and managing advanced vapour phase catalytic continuous flow production units for Pyridines and higher homologous Pyridines.

Subsequent senior roles saw him drive operational excellence at Arch Pharmalabs Ltd. as Assistant Vice President – Operations, overseeing the manufacture of sophisticated products including lipid-lowering intermediates, BOC products using Diazomethane and organophosphorus chemicals. His journey in rubber chemicals deepened significantly from 2003 onwards with a pivotal stint at Merchem Limited, before he brought his expertise to Finorchem as Vice President & Site Head.

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has named Sangwoo Ryu as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ryu possesses over 25 years of leadership in finance and operations within international markets. He is currently the CEO of Cariflex Pte Ltd, a former Kraton spin-off now under DL Chemical, where he initially served as Chief Financial Officer starting in February 2020. He assumed the Cariflex CEO role in April 2025 following the promotion of its former CEO, Prakash Kolluri, to President of Kraton's Polymer business.

Ryu’s deep expertise in financial strategy, investment controls and operational planning is expected to strengthen Kraton’s standing as a reliable leader in global Pine Chemical and Polymers markets. In his new position, he will collaborate with Kraton’s Executive Leadership, Board of Directors and Cariflex Leadership to guide strategic decisions and operational excellence, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustained growth and organisational stability.

Ryu said, “I want to express my gratitude towards the members of the Board of Directors and the Kraton Leadership Team for their unwavering dedication to Kraton’s success. I’m looking forward to leading Kraton into the next era of excellence, building upon the strong foundations and principles set forth in our vision and values.”

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As part of its strategic growth into Central Europe, FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, a global leader in recycling equipment manufacturing, has established a new sales partnership in Germany. The company has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its representative for the region to drive the promotion and implementation of its recycling systems. Jerschl’s extensive expertise, built over two decades with prominent firms like BHS, Eldan and Vecoplan, encompasses a deep understanding of diverse waste streams such as tyre, cable, municipal solid waste and e-waste.

This collaboration, initially targeting Germany, Austria and adjacent countries, is designed to be flexible and scalable. Its primary aim is to cultivate a strong project pipeline and solidify FORNNAX’s regional footprint. The partnership extends beyond sales to include comprehensive technical support, with Jerschl’s team providing vital value-added services like installation, maintenance and spare parts assistance. This local service framework is intended to ensure efficient project execution, minimise operational downtime and elevate customer satisfaction.

By leveraging Jerschl’s profound market insight and established networks, FORNNAX seeks to accelerate the adoption of its high-performance shredding and pre-processing technologies. The move underscores the company’s global strategy of embedding local expertise within key markets, which it deems crucial for developing technically sound solutions tailored to specific regional waste challenges. This initiative reinforces FORNNAX’s dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship, advancing its mission to deliver sustainable recycling solutions worldwide.

Jerschl said, “I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art technology; it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey. We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to 10 years.”

Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, FORNNAX, said, “We see tremendous potential in the Central European market. Partnering with someone as experienced and well established as Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally.”

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