George A. Kruder was one of the most knowledgeable industrial extrusion experts in the world.

Born in Chicago, Kruder received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering (1942) and his PhD (1948) from Purdue University. His major contributions to the plastics industry began in 1957 when he managed the development of polyethylene bread and meat wrap films and processes at Kordite Co. His work resulted in major contributions to the conception and development of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film.

Kruder made significant contributions as head of Research and Development (R&D) for numerous firms. He worked for U.S. Rubber, DuPont, AMF, Kordite, Tee-Pak Inc., Rexall Drug and Chemical and finally at H.P.M. Corporation from 1970 through 1984. He built, organized, and directed highly skilled R&D teams that made major technological advances of significant commercial importance. His knowledge and experience in polyolefin and polystyrene process development and manufacturing were applied at Rexall and Dart Industries, where he held positions in directing R&D, Technical Services, Quality Control, and Polyolefin Plant Operations. He was also vice president of research and development at HPM and Prodex.

Eleven U.S. patents have been issued to him since 1975, covering the invention of the double wave screw for molding and extrusion. His unique talents were utilized in guiding new process and product developments, optimizing extrusion process design and operation, diagnosing field problems, and auditing extrusion plant performance.

His many conference presentations and published papers include studies on fundamental feeding mechanisms, metered starve feeding, ultra high-speed extrusion, venting, and special screw designs. He won the Extrusion Division "Best Paper Award" at the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) ANTEC in 1975 and 1980. In 1990, the SPE presented him with their "Distinguished Service Award." He also received the Plastics Institute of America Educational Service Award.

Kruder was a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, and the Society of Sigma Xi. He was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1991