Holds a background in chemical engineering with experience in process design, automation, and technology development. Krzysztof joined Contec in 2016, became CEO at 26, and has since driven the company’s technological growth and client relations. Previously, he worked in R&D Team at Warsaw University of Technology and Grupa Azoty, and as an entrepreneur.
After achieving a summa cum laude M.Sc Degree in Chemical Engineering in Rome in 1994 on organic Materials, Mr Cialone devoted himself to the tire industry from 1995 until today. Over the last 29 years, Massimo has worked for international global companies in different roles in R&D, where he was able to gain expertise in both raw materials to compounding as well as processing. He joined Hankook - European Technical Center in 2015, where he serves a Material and Compounding Chief Specialist. Since 2019 his major focus is the development of innovative materials in the field of sustainability as well as coordinating research project in the EU area.
Alex finished his PhD at Imperial College London last year, where he published six papers related to tyre recycling, recovered carbon materials, and waste treatment in internationally recognised journals. Alex undertook numerous consultancy projects alongside his PhD and was awarded the departmental prize for the best thesis submitted in 2023. Alex now works as a Process Engineer at Orion Engineered Carbons, a major manufacturer of carbon black, where he contributes to a range of Innovation projects.
Martin von Wolfersdorff, trading as "Wolfersdorff Consulting Berlin”, is an expert advisor and business partner of Smithers specialising in sustainable carbon blacks. Martin works with Smithers on carbon black consulting projects, writes Smithers reports and is the founder and business partner of the recovered Carbon Black Conference. Martin's corporate assignments were in carbon black, plastic packaging, plastic masterbatch and titanium dioxide. Martin has a Dipl. Ing. (Univ.) degree in chemical engineering from the FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany.
Raffaele di Ronza is the senior application and technical solutions manager for the
Reinforcement Materials business segment at Cabot Corporation. He currently leads the EMEA technical team, which is focused on reinforcing carbons and elastomer composite solutions for tire and industrial rubber applications. With over 20 years of experience in the chemical industry, specifically in rubber value chains, he has also held various roles in R&D, particularly in tires. Raffaele earned an Executive Master of Business Administration from Politecnico di Milano and a master's degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico.
Prof. Dr. Jorge Lacayo-Pineda is Head of the Expert Field for Materials Evaluation at Continental, Tires, and has hold different executive positions in the Materials Labs of Continental since 1998. He is Honorary Professor at the Leibniz University of Hanover and Visiting Professor at the Qingdao University of Science & Technology. He is Chairman of Sub-Committee D11.20 Rubber Compounding Materials & Processes of ASTM International, member of the US Delegation to ISO TC 45 – Rubber & Rubber Products, Convener of the ISO Working Group TC45/SC2/WG5 Chemical Tests of Rubber, and member of the Board Council of the German Rubber Society.
Frank Cremer is Head of Product Innovation & Director Sales rCB at Pyrum Innovations AG. With more than 30 years of experience in the Carbon Black industry, he has extensive expertise in production, applications, product development, and global sales. He combines technical know-how with market insight, driving the development of sustainable rCB solutions and their successful introduction into new applications and markets worldwide.
Pieter ter Haar is one of the founding members and current Chair of ASTM committee D36 on Recovered Carbon Black (rCB). He is Director rCB for Circtec, and an expert in recovered carbon black (rCB), pyrolysis, and a former rubber compounder. He holds a Chemistry degree and has over 14 years of experience in using and producing rCB.
Circtec, headquartered in the United Kingdom is a leading ELT pyrolysis company. Circtec has invested over €230 Million over the last 15 years and has activities in 5 European countries, including ELT collection. Upon its full completion, Circtec’s flagship facility in the Northern Netherlands can process 5% of all European ELT and produce rCB, Marine biofuel and Circular Naphtha.
Pieter is also part of the Advisory committee of the Smithers Recovered Carbon Black World conferences in Europe.
