What sparked your interest in this particular field, and what continues to drive your passion for it?

The rubber industry faces unprecedented regulatory pressure around deforestation-free products. I’m driven by the opportunity to help gasket and seal importers and exporters, particularly SMEs, transform this challenge into a competitive advantage through better supply chain visibility and verified sustainability claims to enable EUDR compliance.

Your presentation at Gasket & Sealing Expo is titled “EUDR – The Road to Compliance for Gasket and Seal companies”. 

Can you provide a concise summary of the key takeaways attendees can expect to gain from your session?

My presentation will equip gasket and seal manufacturers with essential knowledge for EUDR compliance, focusing on practical implementation steps for natural rubber traceability. Attendees will learn how to meet specific geolocation and documentation requirements, conduct effective risk assessments, and leverage technology solutions to minimize compliance costs. The session will also highlight how companies can turn regulatory requirements into business opportunities through enhanced supply chain visibility and verified sustainability claims, with particular attention to cost-effective approaches for SMEs meeting the December 2025 deadline.

What are the most significant challenges or opportunities you see currently facing the gasket and seal industry? How does your presentation address these?

The gasket and seal industry faces three key challenges under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that my presentation addresses:

1. Supply Chain Complexity: Natural rubber typically passes through multiple intermediaries from plantation to final product, making traceability difficult. I’ll demonstrate practical approaches for mapping supply chains and collecting required documentation.

2. Cost & Resource Constraints: Particularly for SMEs, implementing new compliance systems can be resource intensive. I’ll share cost-effective solutions and automated tools that minimize administrative burden while meeting requirements.

3. Market Access Risk: Non-compliance could restrict access to the EU market after December 2024. My presentation outlines a step-by-step roadmap for companies to ensure continued market access and potentially gain competitive advantage through early compliance.

These challenges also present opportunities for companies to improve supply chain visibility, strengthen supplier relationships, and differentiate themselves through verified sustainability claims.

Who is your ideal audience for this presentation? Which professionals would benefit the most from attending your session? (e.g., engineers, researchers, business leaders, etc.)

This presentation is designed for:

Primary Audience:

– Quality/Compliance Managers responsible for EU market access

– Supply Chain and Procurement Directors sourcing natural rubber

– Business Leaders making strategic decisions about EUDR compliance

Secondary Audience:

– Technical Directors overseeing product certification

– Sustainability Officers implementing environmental policies

– Operations Managers adapting processes for traceability

The content will be particularly valuable for professionals in SMEs who need practical, cost-effective approaches to achieve EUDR compliance while maintaining business competitiveness.

Can you share a real-world example or case study that illustrates the practical application of the concepts you’ll be discussing in your presentation?  

In our recent work with a major Indian rubber exporter, we’ve helped develop an automated system for EUDR compliance. The company faced challenges tracking rubber from multiple smallholder farmers through their processing facilities to EU gasket manufacturers.

Key implementation steps included:

– Mapping rubber plantations with geolocation data

– Developing digital documentation systems for traceability

– Creating automated risk assessments

– Implementing batch tracking through processing stages

Results:

– 80% reduction in manual documentation time

– Complete traceability from plantation to export

– Early compliance with EUDR requirements

– Strengthened relationships with EU buyers

This case study demonstrates how even complex supply chains can achieve EUDR compliance through systematic implementation of digital solutions and proper supplier engagement.

Beyond your presentation, what are you most looking forward to at Gasket & Sealing Expo? (e.g., networking, specific sessions, exploring the exhibition, etc.)  

I’m particularly looking forward to understanding how other manufacturers are approaching sustainability challenges and building connections with gasket and seal companies who may need support with EUDR compliance. The expo provides a unique opportunity to learn about emerging industry trends and to engage directly with technical teams about practical implementation challenges they’re facing around traceability and documentation requirements.

What are some key resources (books, articles, websites, etc.) that you would recommend to someone looking to deepen their understanding of the topics covered in your presentation?

The official EUDR Regulation text (EU) 2023/1115 which details the legal requirements and timelines

What are the most important questions that professionals in this industry should be asking themselves today?

Industry professionals should be asking themselves: How ready is my supply chain for EUDR compliance, do I have visibility of my rubber sources back to plantation level, what documentation gaps exist in my current systems, and how can I implement compliant processes before the December 2025 deadline? They should also consider whether their current suppliers can provide the required traceability information and what competitive advantages they could gain by establishing early compliance.

If you could leave the audience with one lasting message from your presentation, what would it be?

EUDR compliance isn’t just about meeting regulations – it’s an opportunity to build more resilient and transparent supply chains that can create competitive advantage. While the December 2025 deadline may seem challenging, companies that act now to implement proper traceability systems will be better positioned to maintain EU market access and demonstrate leadership in sustainable rubber sourcing.