Dr. Brink succeeds Shinobu Watanabe, who now becomes the Past-President International. Dr. Brink joined the then Karbochem Division of Sentrachem Ltd. in 1977 as head of Research and Development. In 1981, Karbochem expanded its synthetic rubber activities to solution elastomers at a new green fields site at Newcastle, Kwazulu Natal and transferred him to be involved in plant start-up and project activities. This was followed by a number of assignments until he was appointed as general manager of the Karbochem Rubber Business in 1987.
He transferred to Sentrachem Head Office in 1995 as Group General Manager: Technology, but rejoined Karbochem again in 1997 just before the company was taken over by Dow Chemical Company. This was followed by a period as Dow Regional General Manager Elastomers until 2003, when he was involved in a management buy-out of the synthetic rubber and related businesses of Dow South Africa. The name Karbochem was then re-instated for the elastomers business and Dr. Brink has maintained his current position since.
In addition to Dr. Brink, who will also serve as President to the EMEA Section, the other members elected to the Institute Executive Committee for the year 2014-2015 are: Kisu Ro of LG Chem, Vice President and Yoshimasa Fushimi of Zeon, Vice President (Asia Pacific Section), and for the Arericas Section Thierry Hombert of Exxonmobil, Vice President, Juan Ramon Salinas of Dynasol, President, Christopher Mudd of Dexco Polymers, Vice President, and Tim Gorman of Ashland, Standing Member. Continuing to serve on the Executive Committee are Shinobu Watanabe of Ube Industries, Past-President International, Wei-Hua Tu of TSRC as Treasurer and James L. McGraw, IISRP‘s Managing Director & CEO, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary.
Furthermore, East West Copolymer in Baton Rouge, USA, joined as new member of the institute in the Americas. The former Lion Copolymer‘s 115,000 MT emulsion plant, which shut down late 2013, restarted as East West Copolymer in March.
About IISRP
The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) is an international not-for-profit association with 60 corporate members domiciled in 21 countries who produce 80 % of the world‘s supply of synthetic rubber. Incorporated in 1960 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Institute supports regional offices in Milan, Tokyo and Beijing.
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