HOUSTON—Willem Vonk, application and technical service manager at Kraton Corp.'s polymers research facility in Amsterdam has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Modified Asphalt Producers.
Vonk, a 48-year veteran of Kraton, was inducted into the Modified Asphalt Hall of Fame Feb. 6 at the AMAP's 20th Anniversary Conference & Workshop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., according to a Kraton press release.
Vonk began his career as an asphalt technician with Shell Oil Co.'s block copolymer business, which later spun off from Shell to become Kraton, the press release said.
During his career, he played an essential role in advancing global understanding of polymer synthesis and application methodology for asphalt modification, especially as it pertained to Kraton's polystyrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymers, according to the company.
"Willem Vonk played a key role in the development of SBS polymer-modified asphalt," said Bob Kluttz, Kraton senior manager of market development for performance products. "His ingenuity has led to innovations that continue to make a positive difference in people's lives through safer, more durable homes and roads."