Leopold Pühringer
Global Manager of Research and DevelopmentStarlim

Leopold Pühringer is a highly respected engineering and R&D leader with over 20 years of experience in automation, product development, and polymer application technology. As head of Global Research and Development at Starlim, a world leader in liquid silicone rubber (LSR) injection molding, he oversees innovation across the company’s R&D centers in Austria, China, and North America.

Leopold holds a degree in Automation Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Wels, Austria, and began his career in industrial R&D at Voestalpine, where he developed optical measurement systems for steel processing. Since joining Starlim in 2006, he has led the development of high-performance LSR components for critical applications in the mobility and life sciences. Within the mobility segment, Leo has been focused on sealing design for performance of low and high voltage wire harness connector applications.

A core strength of Leopold’s work lies in his deep understanding of polymer behavior—particularly the unique properties and processing challenges of silicone elastomers. He has been instrumental in integrating material science with simulation-driven product development, using advanced tools such as mold flow analysis and virtual prototyping to optimize part design, performance, and manufacturability.

Under his leadership, Starlim’s global R&D teams have pioneered scalable, automated production systems that translate complex engineering concepts into robust, high-volume manufacturing solutions. Known for his technical depth and systems-level thinking, Leopold continues to shape the future of precision elastomer manufacturing on a global scale.