PEOPLE
SOCMA has new CEO
Jenn Klein has become the new president and CEO of SOCMA following the departure of Jennifer Abril. The association described Klein as“ an accomplished association executive with more than 25 years of government affairs and industry leadership experience”. She was most recently president of the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council.
Challoner leads Ingenza
UK-based engineering biology CRDMO has a new CEO in Nick Challoner, who has over three decades of experience in innovation, strategy and international business. His focus, he said, will include international expansion, especially into the US, and investing in GMP manufacturing.
New president Americas at Evonik Kamieth heads Cefic
Evonik has named Elias Lacerda as president of the Americas region, which accounts for 30 % of its sales, effective 1 February. Lacerda has been with the company for over 30 years and most recently was head of the Coating Additives business line. He will succeed Guido Skudlarek, who recently became head of the USbased Health Care business line.
BASF CEO Dr Markus Kamieth has become president of Cefic and is also chairing the International Council of Chemical Associations( ICCA). He succeeds Syensqo’ s Ilham Kadri, who has separately been reappointed to a new three-year term as chair of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Stratmann stays on
The supervisory board of Lanxess has reappointed Oliver Stratmann as a member of the board of management and extended his contract as CFO by five years. The new term of office began on 1 September and thus follows on seamlessly from Stratmann ' s first three-year term.
Mastermelt into Middle East
Precious metals recovery specialist Mastermelt has opened a new regional centre in Dubai to serve the Middle East. It also named Jan Korbijn, an experienced professional in the sector, as regional sales director.
Triple change at IMCD
Floris Lagerwerf has become VP of finance and operations for IMCD’ s EMEA business and will succeed Hans Kooijmans on his retirement at the end of 2026. He previously held senior roles at IMCD Switzerland. Separately, Jane Wu( pictured) becomes director for Home Care and I & I, and Christoph Garbotz becomes managing director for Germany.
Lu in at Clariant
Marcelo Lu is joining Clariant as president designate for Care Chemicals & Americas, the company’ s largest business unit. He is to replace Christian Vang, who will retire this year. Lu had previously been with BASF for nearly 20 years and had multiple roles up to be coming president of BASF Asia Pacific in 2024.
66 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981