About Us | Tyromer

Our Company
Profile

Tyromer Inc. is a company established in 2009 by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, to commercialize a rubber devulcanization technology invented by Professor Costas Tzoganakis of the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Tyromer uses a strategy of open innovation and collaboration to address the global nature of scrap tires. We understand the need to work closely with industry leaders, to learn from their experiences and also to share some of ours. Our biggest successes are born from engagement, clear planning, open communication, and willingness.

We use licensing and JV business models. While Tyromer does operate certain facilities, the Company will also license its technology and TDP Production Systems. This is the most efficient way to serve the global market and allows us to focus on our core strength – technology, process, and product development and improvement.

In Memory of Sam Visaisouk

CEO, 2009 – 2025

Sam led Tyromer as CEO from the company’s formation in 2009 until his passing in January 2025. A serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience turning university inventions into real businesses, Sam guided Tyromer from a promising technology at the University of Waterloo into a company working with tire and rubber manufacturers around the world. The path and foundation he laid down continue to shape everything we do.

In his honour, the University of Waterloo has created the Sam Visaisouk Mentorship Program to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. We miss him every day.

Our affiliation with the University of Waterloo has broadened our corporate

mission and vision, below. These are not empty words.

Every one of us at Tyromer believes and shares these values.

Mission

Beyond providing value to our customers and partners, we will work with them with respect and honesty while delivering our best in service and support. We will offer our employees meaningful opportunities so they can thrive and provide for their families. Above all, we will be socially responsible and contribute to the greater sustainability of our community and the world.

Vision

Our vision is tire-to-tire recycling. Other industries are part of our vision as well, but in order to create real and drastic change, we understand the tire industry must be intimately involved.

Values

• Integrity
• Compassion
• Perseverance
• Respect
• Tolerance
• Creativity

Our Team

Jon Visaisouk
CEO

Jon has a wide range of business development & management experience, and has been leading teams for over 10 years. He focuses on creating strong personal and business relationships, and helping align Tyromer’s day-to-day activities with corporate goals. Prior to joining Tyromer, Jon grew a business unit from four to 180+ employees with a leading tech company, and is now working to showcase Tyromer technology as a key driver towards the Circular Economy.

Professor Costas Tzoganakis
CTO

Professor Tzoganakis is the inventor of the Tyromer supercritical CO2 extrusion technology for continuous rubber devulcanization. As a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Costas maintains an active research program in processing and modification of polymers, and also leads Tyromer’s robust R&D program.

Ankita Saikia
VP Technical & Quality

Ankita worked in the tire and rubber industry with a global tire manufacturer before obtaining her Masters in Chemical Engineering. Ankita manages Tyromer’s lab and quality systems, and is responsible for material testing, helping develop new products and applications, and creating a variety of reports and in-depth analysis. She is integral to Tyromer’s every-day activities as well as the R&D program.

Srivatsan Rangarajan
Director of Engineering & Projects

As Director of Engineering & Projects, Sri manages a variety of engineering and installation-related projects for Tyromer-owned facilities and also for licensed operations. With a background in manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, Sri uses his experience with Six Sigma, LEAN, ISO, and more to help Tyromer continue to improve and to start new facilities around the world.

Aashish Jalan
Director, Business Development

Aashish holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management and a Master’s in International Commerce and Policy. Before Tyromer, he ran his own consulting and distribution company and spent many years as a director in metals recycling and supply chain. As Director of Business Development, he works closely with Tyromer’s customers, manages key accounts, and supports company operations and projects.

Sainiwetha Saikrishnan
Sr. Research Engineer

Sainiwetha completed her Master of Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Professor Tzoganakis. Sainiwetha, as a Research Engineer, helps in a variety of R&D activities in the lab. A quick learner and critical thinker, she applies her experience in polymer science to both lab activities as well as learning the operation of Tyromer production extruders and equipment.

Gerrit Rehorst
Operations Manager, Tyromer Europe

Gerrit brings more than 25 years of experience in the rubber industry, spanning purchasing, logistics, compounding and recycling. He previously served as General Manager of Rubber Resources B.V. and Elgi Rubber Company B.V. in the Netherlands, and earlier held purchasing, logistics and account management roles with rubber compounding and tire companies. Gerrit now leads operations for Tyromer Europe in Arnhem, The Netherlands.

Tuhin Chatterjee
Lab Manager, Tyromer Europe

Tuhin manages Tyromer’s laboratory in Arnhem, The Netherlands, where he has led technical and quality work since 2021. He specializes in rubber compounding, thermal analysis and the mechanical characterization of polymers. Before joining Tyromer, Tuhin was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Groningen, working on reactive extrusion of polyolefins, and completed his doctoral research at the IIT, Kharagpur.

Frans van Oost
Project Engineer/Manager

Frans is an accomplished Project Engineer/Manager with decades of experience managing tire recycling-related projects and installations. Frans led installations and commissioning of the Tyromer Windsor (Canada) and Tyromer Europe (Arnhem, The Netherlands) facilities and will continue to lead the implementation of licensed Tyromer TDP Production Systems.

Don McRae
Consultant, Applications

Don has a broad and deep knowledge of rubber compounding and material performance property optimization. While he was at the largest Canadian custom rubber compounding company, he optimized various compounds with Tyromer TDP content for commercial use. His combination of over 20 years compounding experience and open mindset are rare, and considered irreplaceable by many in the industry.

Tyromer Partner Relations

Tire Manufacturers

Tyromer offers a lower-cost rubber material to drive the circular economy. Using TDP addresses Producer Responsibility and will allow brands to reach sustainability and recycled material usage goals sooner. We can be your trusted devulcanization partner.

Rubber Goods Manufacturers

Tyromer offers a versatile, lower-cost material that is 100% recycled content. There is abundant feedstock and less volatile pricing.

Crumb Producers

Tyromer offers a new opportunity to add value to existing crumb products. We can devulcanize a variety of crumb types made by standard ambient grind, high pressure water jet, or by cryogenic process.

Our Licensees & Joint-Venture Partners

Tyromer offers an ethical business in cleantech with global markets, solid growth potential and a high-quality income stream.

Scrap Tire Management Authorities

Tyromer offers a “Best Practice” in scrap tire rubber re-utilization where crumb can be devulcanized without chemicals in a process that is environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and financially viable.

Our Company Profile