Arkema’s Dr. Robert Syvret named ACS Fellow

Dr. Syvret joined Arkema Inc. in 2011 as a Research Fellow in the Fluorochemicals R&D group in King of Prussia, Pa. He was the first appointee to the Research Fellow position within Arkema Inc.  He has been in a leadership role in the technology development for two of Arkema’s key future low global warming (LGW) products 1234yf and 1233zd for refrigeration and foam expansion.  Dr. Syvret has brought new fluorination technology to Arkema, expanding its technology base beyond the traditional use of HF exchange to now include the use of elemental F2 and other advanced fluorination technologies.  As a Research Fellow at Arkema, Bob serves in an advisory committee reporting to the vice president of R&D, Ryan Dirkx, on projects and platforms outside of Fluorochemicals but strategic to Arkema. He is also responsible for identifying, evaluating, and making recommendations on external opportunities and collaborations.

“I am humbled and honored to be recognized as an ACS Fellow and to join many great scientists that already hold this lifetime distinction,” said Dr. Syvret.  “An honor such as this would not be possible without the unselfish contributions and support from many valued co-workers over the past 29 years, and it is to them that I am truly indebted.”

“I would like to thank the American Chemical Society for recognizing Bob, and I look forward to seeing Bob continue to flourish in his field,” said Gary Dee, regional president of Arkema’s Fluorochemicals business in North America. “In his six years here at Arkema, Bob has made a huge, positive impact on both the company and those around him. Bob mentors more than one candidate and has led a multitude of important strategic projects essential for the global sustainability of our Fluorochemicals business. Bob works with great humility and is always the first to recognize those colleagues that work alongside him when receiving accolades for his achievements,” Dee noted.

Dr. Syvret has been a longtime organizer of national and international fluorine conferences, including, most recently, served as co-chair of the 22nd Winter Fluorine Conference (January, 2015), co-organizer and ACS representative for a Pacifichem symposium on Inorganic Fluorine Chemistry (December, 2015), and is the chair of the 23rd Winter Fluorine Conference to be held in January, 2017. He also has been in a leadership role within the ACS continuously since 1999.  Dr. Syvret actively mentors younger scientists as he has been recognized for outstanding contributions to industrial process chemistry, including the commercialization of Selectfluor^® and Deoxo-Fluor^® fluorinating agents, a greener route to NF3, and novel catalysts for the production of low environmental impact fluorocarbons. He has served the Society’s Division of Fluorine Chemistry with distinction as chair (2002) and treasurer since 1999, improving the Division's investment portfolio to enable research scholarships, and organizing national and international symposia and meetings.

About Arkema

A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties, and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of €7.7 billion in 2015, we employ approximately 19,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 50 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France, and Asia concentrate on bio-based products, new energies, solutions for electronics, potable water management, lightweight materials and 3D design materials, building performance and insulation. For the latest, visit www.arkema.com.

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