Pratapkumar Nagarajan
🚀 Senior R&D & Manufacturing Leader | Advanced Materials & Process Optimization | Tire & Polymer Innovation | 17+ Years Driving Tech Breakthroughs & Sustainable Solutions
- Role
- Technology Group Leader, Antidegradants & Crystex at Flexsys
- Location
- Akron, OH, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Pratapkumar Nagarajan
Innovating at the Intersection of Materials Science & Manufacturing ExcellenceWith 17+ years of experience in R&D leadership, process optimization, and product innovation, I specialize in developing advanced materials, scaling technologies, and leading cross-functional teams to drive industry advancements. My expertise spans automotive, tire, polymer, and advanced manufacturing sectors, where I’ve successfully secured multi-million-dollar grants, led groundbreaking innovations, and optimized manufacturing processes for global impact. Key Achievements: Secured an $11M U.S. Tech Hub grant to develop sustainable tire antidegradants, reducing supply chain risks. Led the innovation of 8 patent-pending anti-degradant products within 2 years at Flexsys. Achieved 20% cost reduction through material localization & process optimization at Michelin. Drove a 19% improvement in lead times & scaled next-gen tire compounds for major OEMs. Passionate about industrializing new technologies, optimizing performance, and aligning R&D with business growth, I thrive on solving complex technical challenges and fostering strategic partnerships with global industry leaders. Let’s connect if you’re interested in collaborations, leadership discussions, or innovative solutions in R&D and manufacturing.
Experience
Technology Group Leader, Antidegradants & Crystex
Sep 2022 — Present · Akron, OH, US
Leading global R&D and commercialization of next-gen antidegradants & Crystex for automotive, aviation, and industrial applications. Secured $11M U.S. Tech Hub grant for sustainable tire solutions, projected to generate $1.4B in revenue. Developed 8 patent-pending anti-degradants in 2 years, driving industry innovation. Partnered with Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Pirelli, Continental, Yokohama & Sumitomo to align technology with market needs. Collaborating with EPA, USDA & regulatory bodies to ensure compliance & sustainability.
Education
Georgia Institute of Technology
PhD, Polymer Engineering. Focus : Polymer micro-processing
2005 — 2008
Oakland University
M.S, Mechanical Engineering, Focus: Polymer Processing
2002 — 2003
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
B.S, Mechanical Engineering
1996 — 2000
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