Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. Rabindra Mukhopadhyay, Advisor (R&D) to JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. and Advisor to the Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Research Institute (HASETRI), Mysuru, has been selected as the winner of the 2026 Science & Technology Award instituted by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Akron, USA.

The award recognises Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s outstanding research and development contributions in the field of Sustainability in Elastomers, honouring significant advancements in the understanding, development, and utilisation of sustainable elastomers for the global rubber industry.

The award will be formally presented to him at the ACS Rubber Division-2026 Global Polymer Summit, to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, USA from Sept. 28 and Oct. 1.

Profile: Dr. R. Mukhopadhyay, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, is a globally respected expert in rubber science and tyre technology, with over five decades of distinguished experience spanning education, academic research, professional training, and industrial research and technology development.

His work has had a lasting impact on sustainable materials, tyre performance and environmentally responsible rubber technologies.

He has served the rubber fraternity in several leadership roles, including as Chairman Emeritus of the Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) and Immediate Past President of the Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI).

Under his visionary leadership, the Indian Rubber Institute established the Dr. D. Banerjee Centre of Excellence in Polymer Science & Rubber Technology at the JSS Institute of Science & Technology campus, Mysuru.

The Centre of Excellence was established with the blessings of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt and is dedicated to training, skill development and capacity building for professionals in the rubber and allied industries.

The initiative aligns closely with the Prime Minister of India’s Skill India Mission, contributing to the development of a future-ready technical workforce.

Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s recognition by the ACS Rubber Division underscores India’s growing global leadership in sustainable elastomer research and reaffirms his lifelong commitment to innovation, education, and industry advancement.