With his fresh approach , the CEO Sanjeev Rastogi envisions a bright future for Arxada
Arxada : Where legacy foundations and start-up mindset collide
With his fresh approach , the CEO Sanjeev Rastogi envisions a bright future for Arxada
When Sanjeev Rastogi took over as Arxada CEO in October 2023 , he described it as “ a professional and personal honour to lead such an innovative and wellrespected company , which not only has a great history but also a future packed with enormous and genuinely exciting potential .” “ It ’ s an exhilarating time to be at Arxada ,” he says . “ Despite our 100-years-plus history , we are essentially still a start-up following the successful spin-off from Lonza in July 2021 .”
Injecting a start-up mentality while drawing from a rich history of industry progress presents a fascinating opportunity , he continues . “ Building is a different mindset from maintaining . And the culture of high performance with an empathetic core that we ’ re nurturing empowers the team to take calculated risks , foster innovation and embrace change . We call it a performance culture with a heart .”
Rastogi joined Arxada in April 2023 , to head its consumer microbial control business . He brought with him 30 years ’ experience with Honeywell and Hexion and a proven track record of developing and growing businesses , as well as a highly entrepreneurial and executionfocused mindset .
Investing against the cycle
The strategic acquisitions of Troy Corporation and Enviro Tech in late 2021 had already helped Arxada broaden its scale , market access and portfolio of preservatives and antimicrobial products . And while the chemicals industry overall has faced unstable and challenging market conditions caused by the COVID pandemic , geopolitical turbulence and economic volatility , Arxada ’ s plans for growth have not changed .
“ We ’ re maintaining our focus on key process improvements and cost-containment measures but continuing to invest in key growth capabilities and programs , to make sure we not only stay resilient but are also prepared for the recovery when it comes ,” Rastogi explains . “ Companies that invest in the downturn typically benefit disproportionately when markets recover .”
Actions include “ re-calibrating ” the business and refreshing its strategy to unlock the full potential of its portfolio . “ Our objective is to drive growth in core markets while fostering innovation that complements our key offerings ,” Rastogi says . “ At the same time , we ’ re strategically investing in high-potential growth initiatives for sustained leadership positions .”
Sustainability the driver
The post-COVID world is looking for better ways to preserve and disinfect against harmful microbes , while the microbes themselves are getting more resistant , more diverse and showing up in more unexpected places . Customers are also demanding more sustainable , environmentally friendly and ethically sourced solutions . Thanks to its broad portfolio , its focus on innovation and its wide knowledge and experience , Rastogi insists , Arxada is well equipped to meet these challenges .
“ Our regulatory acumen enables us to swiftly and effectively adapt to the increasingly stringent regulatory environment . Our expertise in microbial control enables us to predict new areas of growth . And the knowledge of chemistry , microbiology and engineering that we ’ ve forged over the past 100 years is driving unparalleled innovation ,” he says .
20 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981