New CEO to Lead Specialty Chemicals Firm Clariant

Specialty chemicals firm Clariant announced Wednesday that Conrad Keijzer was named as its new chief executive officer effective on January 1. Appointed by the company’s board on December 8, Keijzer will replace Hariolf Kottmann, who will return to his role as chairman.

“This decision is fully supported by the board representatives of our two major shareholders SABIC and the Süd-Chemie legacy shareholders. Our group will benefit greatly from both his international experience and his track record in the specialty chemical industry,” said Kottmann in a company release. “With his impressive accomplishments in managing large industrial and chemical businesses, his experience in working in different regions, his proven focus on customer needs and his passion for sustainability, Conrad Keijzer is an excellent choice to guide Clariant into ta successful future.”

Keijzer most recently held the role of CEO of mineral-based specialty solutions supplier Imerys. He also served AkzoNobel for 24 years in a number of positions, including a stint as CEO of its Performance Coatings division. The 52-year-old is a native of the Netherlands.

“I consider it a privilege to become the CEO of Clariant, an iconic company whose values are closely aligned to mine,” said Keijzer. “Together with the experienced members of the executive committee, I look forward to untapping the full potential of this great company and to leading Clariant in the next phase of its important transformation into a high-value specialty chemicals company.”