The 2026 Global Polymer Summit is coming to Louisville, Kentucky, September 28–30, bringing together professionals from across the rubber, elastomer and polymer industries. As a longtime process oil supplier to these markets, Renkert Oil is especially looking forward to celebrating Dr. Timothy P. Lodge, recipient of the 2026 Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) Award sponsored by Renkert Oil. Questions about process oils? Contact us.
Dr. Lodge was selected earlier this year for the prestigious award, presented by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The award honors researchers whose work has advanced the chemistry of thermoplastic elastomers, with special emphasis on innovations that lead to meaningful new commercial or patentable materials.
This September, Dr. Lodge and the other 2026 Science & Technology Award recipients will be recognized during the Global Polymer Summit, making the event an opportunity to celebrate both today’s leaders in polymer science and the research shaping the industry’s future.
Suzanne Kingsbury, Director of Quality
About the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award
The Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award is one of the ACS Rubber Division Science & Technology Awards. The award was established in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of thermoplastic elastomer chemistry.
As a process oil supplier serving rubber and polymer markets, we sponsor this award because we believe that progress in TPE science benefits not only compounders, formulators and manufacturers, but society as a whole. Materials that perform reliably under real-world demands benefit all of us.
Why Dr. Lodge’s Work Matters to TPE Buyers and Compounders
Thermoplastic elastomers sit at the intersection of performance and processability, often delivering rubber-like properties with thermoplastic processing advantages. Applications include soft-touch materials, such as automotive interior moldings and sporting equipment.
But anyone who works with TPE compounds knows the challenge: structure, compatibility and long-term behavior can make or break an application.
Dr. Lodge’s research has helped the industry better understand how polymer structure and dynamics shape the behavior of these soft materials, especially in multicomponent systems like block polymers that self-assemble into predictable nanostructures.
At a practical level, this kind of fundamental insight supports better decision-making across the value chain, from polymer design and compounding choices to performance expectations in demanding end uses.
More About Dr. Lodge
- Dr. Lodge is a Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota and holds the Prager Chair in Macromolecular Science, with appointments spanning chemistry and chemical engineering/materials science affiliations.
- In 2024, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for contributions to understanding the dynamic properties of multicomponent polymers and self-assembled structures.
- His university profile and related announcements also note that his work has produced more than 500 papers and has earned major recognition across polymer chemistry, polymer physics and education.
Research Focus: Polymer Structure, Dynamics and Self-Assembly
Dr. Lodge’s research centers on multicomponent polymer systems, especially block copolymers, and how they assemble and behave in both solution and bulk.
His group’s work spans synthesis, molecular characterization, structure analysis, including scattering and microscopy, and dynamic processes such as diffusion and structural rearrangement kinetics.
To put it simply: his research connects what a polymer looks like at the molecular level with how the material behaves in the real world. That connection is a big reason his work has been so influential for thermoplastic elastomers and related soft materials.
Celebrating Dr. Lodge at the 2026 Global Polymer Summit
The 2026 Global Polymer Summit will take place September 28–30 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.
Presented by the International Elastomer Conference (IEC) and International Tire Exposition & Conference (ITEC), the summit brings professionals from across the rubber, tire, elastomer and polymer industries together for technical education, industry discussions, networking and an expo.
Programming includes technical, business and industry presentations, an educational symposium, student and young professional programs, receptions, a keynote address and the Science & Technology Awards Banquet.
Rubber Division, ACS Science & Technology Award winners receive their awards during the banquet and present their work as part of the Awards Symposium. We are proud to help recognize Dr. Lodge’s achievements and look forward to celebrating his contributions to thermoplastic elastomer science in Louisville.
Why Process Oil Supplier Renkert Oil Supports Research
If you buy specialty oils for TPE compounding, you already know that great materials are rarely the result of one variable.
They come from the interaction of polymer choice, fillers, stabilizers, processing conditions and the specialty oils used to fine-tune flow, consistency and soft-touch performance.
That’s why we pay attention to the science and support researchers whose work strengthens the foundation the industry builds on.
Here’s what our customers typically gain from working with a specialty-oil-focused process oil supplier like Renkert Oil:
- Material-fit guidance based on application needs, not one-size-fits-all recommendations
- Consistent supply and documentation support for quality-driven programs
- Problem-solving support when a compound needs to hit tighter performance targets or something changes upstream
If you’re facing a compounding challenge, a specification shift or a new end-use requirement, we’re ready to help you make the specialty oil decision with more confidence and fewer surprises.
See You at the Global Polymer Summit
The Global Polymer Summit is built around the same kind of collaboration that moves polymer science forward: researchers, manufacturers, suppliers, engineers and other industry professionals sharing ideas and exploring what comes next.
We’re proud to support that work as a process oil supplier and as sponsor of the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award. Most of all, we’re looking forward to seeing Dr. Timothy P. Lodge receive this well-deserved recognition in Louisville.
At Renkert Oil, we like to say “we put the soft in soft-touch” elastomers.
If you’ll be attending the summit, we hope to see you there. Look for us at booth #1021!
And if you’re evaluating process oils for a TPE formulation or working through a compounding challenge, reach out to us to start a conversation. We look forward to collaborating with you as your process oil supplier to help solve your most critical business needs.
FAQs: Renkert Oil, Dr. Timothy Lodge and the 2026 Global Polymer Summit
- When and where is the 2026 Global Polymer Summit?
The 2026 Global Polymer Summit is scheduled for September 28–30, 2026, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
- What is the Global Polymer Summit?
The Global Polymer Summit brings together professionals from the rubber, tire, elastomer and polymer industries for technical education, industry presentations, an expo, networking and other professional events.
- Who should attend the 2026 Global Polymer Summit?
The summit is designed for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, researchers, engineers and other professionals with an interest in rubber, elastomer, tire and polymer technologies.
- Will the 2026 Science & Technology Awards be presented at the summit?
Yes. Rubber Division, ACS Science & Technology Award recipients are honored during the Global Polymer Summit, including recognition at the Science & Technology Awards Banquet.
- Who won the 2026 Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award?
Dr. Timothy P. Lodge is the 2026 recipient of the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award.
- Who sponsors the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award?
Renkert Oil sponsors the award as part of our commitment to supporting advances in thermoplastic elastomer science and the broader rubber and polymer industries.
- What does the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award recognize?
The award recognizes significant contributions to TPE chemistry, with particular emphasis on research and innovations that can contribute to new commercial or patentable materials.
- What is Dr. Timothy Lodge known for?
Dr. Lodge is known for his research into multicomponent polymer systems, including block copolymers, polymer dynamics and self-assembly. His work helps connect molecular structure with real-world material behavior.
- Why is TPE research important to manufacturers?
Better understanding of polymer structure, compatibility and behavior can help manufacturers make more informed decisions about formulation, processing and the performance of finished TPE products.
- How can Renkert Oil support TPE manufacturers?
Renkert Oil works with TPE compounders and manufacturers to identify specialty oils suited to their processing and performance requirements. We can also assist when formulations change, specifications tighten or manufacturers need help solving a processing challenge.