Smithers expert to speak on polymer material sustainability at Automotive Testing Expo

Akron, OH – Smithers announces that Josh Guilliams, Vice President of Consultancy, is giving a presentation on polymer material sustainability on the Technology Presentation Stage at the Automotive Testing Expo 2022. The Automotive Testing Expo will take place in Novi, Michigan, from October 25 to October 27, 2022.

Guilliams’ presentation is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, October 26. His presentation, titled “Polymer Material Sustainability: The Journey is just Beginning,” will open with a discussion of current polymer material trends and factors affecting demand. Guilliams will also introduce some of the key alternate raw materials that are being researched to bring improved sustainability to a wider variety of applications.

“In the automotive industry, there have been tremendous efforts over the past few decades to improve the overall environmental footprint at the full vehicle and individual component levels,” said Jim Popio, PhD, Vice President, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division. “Large strides have been made in the areas of renewable materials, end-of-life recycling, and lightweighting, but the industry still has a long way to go. Testing and validation have a huge part to play in exploring opportunities for continued improvement—and reduce potentially negative unintended consequences. Josh has years of experience in materials and sustainability, and his perspective on this subject will be incredibly valuable for anyone who attends the Automotive Testing Expo this year.”

Guilliams and other Smithers experts will also be present at booth #8058 on the exhibition floor. Those interested in attending Automotive Testing Expo 2022 can register for a free entry pass here.

As Vice President of Consultancy, Guilliams leads the Smithers technical consulting team based in Akron, Ohio, managing client relationships and working with other Smithers experts on complex projects. He also conducts in-depth investigations of a wide variety of rubber materials and final products on behalf of clients. Before joining the team at Smithers, Guilliams spent several years in leadership at Polymer Valley Chemicals, Inc. and held technical and commercial roles at Hankook Tire, EASTMAN Chemical Corporation, LANXESS Corporation, and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. He has a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and engineering from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Polymer Science from the University of Akron. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt.