Research Award 2025

From left to right: Thomas Malzahn (ENTEX), Alina Heihoff (SKZ), Dr. Thomas Birr (ENTEX),

Dr. Johannes Rudloff (SKZ), Sebastian Rust and Frank Asmuß (both ENTEX).

The two organizations have known each other for almost a quarter of a century and have successfully completed numerous joint research projects during that time. Their collaboration has always been guided by the principles established by ENTEX founder Harald Rust, which are now continued and embodied by his son, Sebastian Rust.

The foundation for this long-standing partnership was laid early on with the installation of a Planetary Roller Extruder at the SKZ pilot plant – initially an ENTEX 50, followed later by an ENTEX 70.

Mr. Kersten Kurda of SKZ will certainly remember these important milestones.

The two partners also meet regularly at conferences, trade fairs, and during the annual summer networking weeks.

They are currently collaborating on the research project “Development of a Continuous Depolymerization Process for Recycling Silicone Elastomer Waste in an Extruder,” a technology- and process-oriented project that will run until the summer of 2028.

We were also delighted that, during the award ceremony, Dr. Johannes Rudloff introduced his new colleague, Alina Heihoff. Personal connections and close collaboration are more important today than ever before.

Here’s to the next 25 years!