Title: Process Engineer
Company: Braskem
Location: League City, Texas, United States
Ronald J. Lutz, Process Engineer at Braskem, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements and leadership in Chemical Engineering.
Dr. Lutz is lauded for his long and successful career in chemical engineering, marked by nearly five decades of technical innovation, leadership and mentorship. Since 2011, he has served as a process engineer at Braskem, a Brazilian company committed to sustainable solutions in the chemicals and plastics industries. In his role, Dr. Lutz collaborates with catalyst and product development teams to identify new products for customers and to develop product specifications and operating conditions for impact copolymers.
Among a range of responsibilities, Dr. Lutz is tasked with reviewing production plans, monitoring plant performance to ensure maximum capacity, identifying process-limiting events and implementing solutions to eliminate or reduce them. He is recognized for minimizing off-spec and transition material through improved operational strategies and executing production transitions with reduced waste, including a recent transition that achieved zero wide-spec material by optimizing adjustments and material segregation.
Before joining Braskem, Dr. Lutz worked as a consulting engineer for Chevron Corporation in 2010, providing technical expertise on specialized projects. From 2009 to 2010, he was a consulting engineer at Oxane Materials, a company that specializes in nanotechnology-enhanced propping agents for the oil and gas industry.
Between 2006 and 2009, Dr. Lutz held the position of lean six sigma black belt at INEOS Olefins and Polymers North America (now INEOS), where he applied his certification to address reliability issues within olefins operations. He led multiple projects focused on root cause analysis and process improvement, leveraging his extensive background in both olefins and polymers.
Between 2003 and 2006, Dr. Lutz served as a polyolefins knowledge manager at INEOS Olefins and Polymers North America (now INEOS). This role followed more than five years with BP-Amoco (now BP) as a polypropylene technical consultant, starting in 1996.
Dr. Lutz also spent nearly two decades with Amoco Chemicals and Amoco, beginning in 1978 as a polyethylene process development engineer. During this period, he contributed significantly to catalyst development for milk bottle production by addressing contamination issues that had previously hindered operational success. Dr. Lutz then spent 1981 to 1990 as a staff process development engineer for polyethylene and 1986 to 1990 as a senior process development engineer for polyethylene at Amoco. In 1990, he was named an operations supervisor at Amoco Chemicals, followed by a role as a technical supervisor until 1996, during which he managed technical teams focused on polymer production at the Chocolate Bayou plant in Texas.
In preparation for his future, Dr. Lutz earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign in 1975, completing the program in just three-and-a-half years with a perfect grade point average. Subsequently, he studied at the University of Michigan, where he received a Master of Science in chemical engineering in 1976 and a professional engineering non-thesis Doctor of Philosophy in 1978. Dr. Lutz is also certified as a lean six sigma black belt, a credential that has enabled him to lead critical reliability projects within both the olefins and polymers sectors.
Dr. Lutz is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Society of Plastics Engineers and the American Chemical Society. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has demonstrated civic commitment through youth mentorship with Junior Achievement beginning in 1990. Throughout his career, Dr. Lutz has also been instrumental as a mentor, training engineers who have gone on to make significant contributions to the industry.
Dr. Lutz’s expertise in polyolefins, including polyethylene and polypropylene, is widely acknowledged. He is celebrated for his ability to resolve complex engineering challenges and enhance production capabilities. Notably, Dr. Lutz holds several U.S. patents and patent applications related to polymer processing technologies.
Among Dr. Lutz’s most notable achievements was the transformation of an existing plant from producing low-value products to manufacturing Metallocene Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (mLLDPE), a complex material prone to reactor shutdowns. Through strategic modifications to equipment and operating procedures, Dr. Lutz implemented production methods using conventional seed stocks and ethylene derived from sugarcane, resulting in the world’s first environmentally negative-impact mLLDPE, a milestone with significant applications in film production.
Additionally, Dr. Lutz played a pivotal role in developing catalysts for milk bottle production at Amoco Chemicals, identifying and resolving operational issues caused by contaminants in the comonomer and hexane. His hands-on approach included operating batch reactors and pilot plants, conducting multiple trials and refining techniques to ensure optimal raw material quality, ultimately leading to the successful commercialization of the technology.
In light of his accomplishments, Dr. Lutz has been recognized with numerous accolades, including a Quality Award from Amoco Chemicals. He credits much of his success to his strong work ethic and determination. Looking ahead, Dr. Lutz intends to continue working part-time or engaging in consulting, depending on demand for his expertise. His legacy is defined by technical mastery, innovative problem-solving and unwavering dedication, qualities that have left an enduring mark on colleagues, mentees and the broader field of chemical engineering worldwide.
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