HOUSTON (Nov. 11, 2004) — Ernie Zielasko, the late founder of Rubber & Plastics News (RPN) who also was instrumental in the founding of Tire Business, has posthumously been named recipient of the General Award and Hideo Takamtsu the Technical Award from the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP).
Mr. Zielasko, who was a Crain Communications Inc. vice president and RPN editor and publisher for 16 years, spent 15 years after he retired helping the organization of the world's synthetic rubber companies with public relations. The IISRP said he provided guidance in developing communications, and worked behind the scenes in helping coordinate the group's Annual General Meeting. Additionally, he aided the managing director in formulating communications policy. Crain also is the parent company of Tire Business.
Mr. Zielasko died Dec. 13, 2003, at the age of 84.
Mr. Takamatsu's major accomplishment has been in process polymerization technology in hydrogenation of block copolymer, SEPS and SEBS, and the commercialization of these elastomers. He holds a number of patents in Japan, the U.S. and the European Union.
He joined Kuraray Co. Ltd in 1973, and was in charge of business development at the Kashima, Japan, site Isoprene Research and Development Department. Later he became responsible for the development of isoprene block copolymers.
The IISRP formally will present the awards at its 46th Annual General Meeting in San Diego, May 9-12, 2005.