Christophe André appointed Managing Director of Thiochemicals business unit
Christophe André, 41 years old, has joined the Arkema Group as Managing Director of the Thiochemicals business unit, replacing Philippe Chartres who is heading the construction project for Arkema’s first thiochemicals platform in Asia.
Christophe André is an Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications engineer, he also graduated from ESSEC, and holds an MBA from INSEAD. After holding a number of posts in telecommunications, in particular with Nortel, in 2001 he joined specialty chemicals manufacturer Rohm and Haas to oversee the European development of the Monomers Division, which he later headed, before running the Adhesives and Packaging Division. In 2008, he joined Arjowiggins, the world’s leading manufacturer of creative and technical paper, as head of Arjowiggins Graphic, one of the company’s five divisions, a position he held until he joined Arkema.
Paul Leonard appointed Director Safety Environment
Paul Leonard, 51 years old, has joined Arkema as Group Director Safety Environment.
An Irish national, he graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with an MSc in Engineering. Paul Léonard spent his entire career in the Dow Chemical group in various industrial positions, in China, the United States, Germany and France. He has held operational responsibilities in several sites, in particular as plant manager and Safety and Environment director, as well as manager of industrial projects.
Gérard Langlais appointed Director Sustainable Development
Gérard Langlais, 59 years old, a graduate mining engineer from the Nancy Ecole des Mines, with an MSc from Stanford, has been appointed Director Sustainable Development at Arkema.
Gérard Langlais has spent his entire career in industry. He held positions in research and development at Isover Saint-Gobain, before becoming a business engineer at Elf Aquitaine. He later held commercial executive posts in the chemical branch of the Elf and Total groups, before becoming Logistics Director at Arkema at the time of its creation.
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, some 13,200 employees and 9 research centers, Arkema generates annual revenue of approximately €5.9 billion*, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands. The world is our inspiration.
*Sales and headcount for continuing activities at end 2011, excluding vinyl products activities, which are part of a divestment plan.