Our organisation

Ester Baiget is business president for Dow Industrial Solutions. She is responsible for ensuring long-term growth and profitability as well as the strategic direction and global business performance of this industry-leading portfolio that provides products used as functional ingredients or processing aids in the manufacture of a diverse range of products.

With several years of varied international experience as a technical and commercial business leader, she has driven transformational change and enhanced profitability across a diverse range of businesses. She has a track record of achieving results that outpace average market growth and of defining strategy to optimize the commercialization of innovative new product families and generate new margin sales. At the same time she shares her passion for science and inspires colleagues and future generations of STEM engineers.

Baiget joined Dow in 1995 as an engineer in Tarragona, Spain, part of the team accountable for the start-up and commissioning Dow’s first metallocence asset in EMEA. Since then, she has held a variety of technical, commercial and strategic roles of increasing importance and responsibility. Some key accomplishments include: technical sales leader for Dow Fiber Solutions where she led the development of Dow’s Global Textile Technology Centre; global director of strategic development, working directly with Dow’s chairman and CEO and global business director for the EO/EG and Technology business. Most recently, she served as EMEAI commercial director for Dow Elastomers, Electrical & Telecommunications, with responsibility for profit and loss as well as the commercial organization, end-use marketing and customer relationships for the business portfolio across the region. She took on her current role in 2016.

Baiget represents Dow as Vice-President of EPCA (The European Petrochemical Association) and is a STEM ambassador. Ester previously represented Dow on the board of MEGlobal, a joint venture between Dow and Petrochemical Industries Company of Kuwait

Based in Horgen, Switzerland, she holds a chemical engineering degree and an MBA from the University of Tarragona (Spain).

Ronald Doesburg has worked with Shell in various roles in several Downstream businesses including, Lubricants, Supply & Distribution, and the Pernis Refinery.

In May 2011 Ronald joined Shell Chemicals as Product Manager Hydrocarbon Solvents EU/AF/ME, based in Rotterdam after which he moved to the Base Chemicals business in various roles where he is now the General Manager for Base Chemicals Europe.

Leonardo Mascolo born in Foggia (Italy), is married and has an eight year old daughter.

He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from Bologna University with a specialization in TLCs and Microelectronics and a post-grade Master in Telecommunications (1994, I.S.S.T., Rome) and one in Business Management (2001, LUISS Business School, Rome).

He joined Repsol Group in 1999 as Production Assistant at Repsol’s PMMA plant in Rome, Italy.

In early 2000, he took on the position of Production, Logistic & TI.

In June 2002 he was named General Manager of Repsol Polivar S.p.A., position that he maintained until 2008 when the PMMA business was sold to Arkema by Repsol.

In mid-2008 Mr. Mascolo moved to Repsol’s Headquarters (Madrid, Spain) as Product Manager for Olefins & Aromatics until the end of 2010.

Since January 2011 he is Repsol’s Base Petrochemicals Director.

Hartwig Michels was born in 1963. He studied Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Hans-Christian Sievers
1985 - 1987: Helm AG Hamburg
1987 - 1994: Helm de México, Mexico City Product Manager Chemicals, Sales and Purchases
1994 - 2000: Managing Director of Helm de México
2001 - 2011: Member of the Executive Board of Helm AG, Hamburg responsible for Helm's foreign subsidiaries
As of 2012: Chairman of the Executive Board of Helm AG, Hamburg

Other activities:

- Ostasiatischer Verein, Hamburg Member of the Board

- Lateinamerikaverein, Hamburg Member of the Board

Mr. Paweł Szostek is a graduate of University of Gdansk.

He has completed postgraduate studies of European Law and Integration at the Technical University of Gdansk and he has also gained a title of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Since 2005 he holds various positions at PKN ORLEN S.A. with last three positions of Director of Sales Controlling Department at PKN ORLEN S.A., CFO of ORLEN OIL and Director of Key Account Wholesale Services at PKN ORLEN S.A.

Since 1st of June 2018 he holds the position of Executive Director of Petrochemical Sales. He also serves as Member of the Board of ORLEN KolTrans (Poland), Paramo (Czech Republic) and Ventus Nafta (Lithuania).

Chet M. Thompson

President, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

Chet Thompson began his role as president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers AFPM) in May 2015. Thompson leads a staff that advocates for petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers before Congress and the Executive Branch on a broad range of public policy issues. AFPM, under his leadership, works to emphasize the importance of petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers and their positive impact on U.S. manufacturing, jobs growth, energy independence and national security.

Prior to joining AFPM, Thompson was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell and Moring LLP, where he was chairman of the Environment & Natural Resources Group, one of the country’s premier environmental practices. His practice included counseling, litigation, and regulatory and legislative representation for a wide array of clients under major environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act; the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the Resource Conservation Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability and Recovery Act. While at Crowell Morning he represented AFPM as external counsel for nine years.

Thompson previously served as deputy general counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where he provided legal advice to the Agency’s administrator, general counsel and program offices. Before joining EPA in 2004, he spent 10 years at Collier Shannon Scott PLLC, where his work focused on the Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Thompson has been recognized as one of the leading lawyers in the U.S. by Chambers & Partners, and was awarded a Certificate of Accommodation by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006. Thompson holds a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and a J.D. from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law. He and his family reside in Potomac, Maryland.

• 2015 – today  –  Covestro Deutschland AG Leverkusen, Procurement Global Logistics.
• 2010 – 2015  –  Bayer AG Leverkusen, Procurement, Global storage, bulk shipping and plant logistics.
• 2006 – 2010  –  Bayer AG Leverkusen, Procurement Global Plant Logistics.
• 1989 – 2006  –  Bayer Antwerp NV – different operational & site logistics management functions.
• 1988 – 1989  –  Steinweg NV Antwerp – shipping clerc.
• 1985 – 1986  –  Lloyd insurance  NV – insurance clerc.

• Swiss, married, two children
• Master degree in Corporate Finance
• 15 years with Bertschi, several positions as e.g. Head Merger & Acquisitions, MD of Nordic Bulkers (100% subsidiary of Bertschi), Group CFO, Head market entry MiddleEast and Plastics Hub Strategy Europe
• Most recent 5 years Managing Director of Business Unit Liquids Europe

Since August 1^st , 2018 Group CEO of Bertschi

Steffen Bauer, 38 years old, graduated in Economics and Business Management at the University for Economics and Management – University of Applied Sciences, Duisburg.

From 2004 until 2012 he held several positions at Lehnkering GmbH at least as Divisional Head of Contract Logistics Region West. After the acquisition of Lehnkering GmbH by Imperial Logistics International B.V. & Co. KG in 2012 Steffen Bauer was appointed as Director Business Unit Road at Imperial Chemical Transport GmbH and in 2016 as Chief Strategy Officer for the Division Transport Solution of Imperial International Group.

Since February 2017 he is Managing Director of Imperial Shipping Holding GmbH and Chief Operating Officer of Imperial Shipping Group with overall operational and commercial responsibility for all subsidiaries and participations within the Group.

Born: 1957 in Hall in Tirol, Austria

Harald Bortolotti joined LKW WALTER International in 1978 upon completing his education at the Innsbruck Commercial College.

Having started in UK operations he successively took on the role of Sales Manager for Italy, Spain and Germany.

He was then Director of Human Resources in Kufstein, before becoming Sales Director and Associated Member of the Board - positions he currently holds.

He has decades of experience as Key Account Manager for major players in the Petrochemical Industry. As Treasurer and Vice President of the European Freight Leaders & Logistics Forum, he is actively involved in working groups across industries and EU projects.

Michael Dries’ career with BASF started in 1990, when he joined BASF AG’s Logistics Procurement Department. In 1996 he became Head of Logistics at Shanghai BASF Colorants and Auxiliaries, Shanghai, P.R. China, followed by an assignment as Head of Logistics and Technical Procurement at BASF Company Ltd., Seoul, Rep. of Korea. After one year at BASF AG, Ludwigshafen he was in 2002 appointed Director, Logistics, BASF YPC Company Ltd., Nanjing, P.R. China. He was subsequently appointed in 2006 Vice President, General Services at BASF SE, Ludwigshafen and led as of 2010 the senior project Opal 21 / Logistics. Mr. Dries assumes his current position as Vice President, Global Logistics Procurement since 2015.
Michael Dries was born in Eltville, Germany, in 1961. He studied economics and business administration at the Universities of Mainz and Cologne.

Professional experience

SABIC

06-2014 – current                             Director Supply Chain Polymers, Europe

09-2013 – 06-2014                            Sr. Manager Supply Chain Sourcing & Contracting

09-2011 – 12-2013                            Integration Manager SABIC Port Logstics Facility, Jubail KSA

02-2010 – 09-2013                            Manager Supply Chain Improvements

01-2009 – 02-2010                            Project Manager 1SABIC

06-2005 – 01-2009                            Supply & Inventory Manager

Philips Semiconductors

12-2004 – 06-2005                            Business Analyst

Quintiq

04-2002 – 12-2004                            Business Consultant

Education

PhD in Operations Research        Erasmus University Rotterdam

MSc in Econometrics                      Maastricht University

Building on Talent                            IMD Business School

Liz holds an HND Business Studies from Crewe & Alsager College and was awarded ICI industrial student sponsorship.

She started her career in ICI and followed Phil Browitt to join Agility as Strategic Procurement Manager in 2000. She has occupied several senior positions within the company over the years.

She currently holds the position of Vice President Europe.

Peter Devos is Managing Director at ECTA, the European Chemical Transport Association.

In 1988, he graduated as AgroEngineer from the University of Louvain, Belgium and holds a second master in Industrial and Business Management.

After a Supply Chain career of more than 25 years at Monsanto in different leading supply chain functions and disciplines across Europe, Peter started up his own independent company in 2016. As independent Supply Chain Practitioner, he is now focusing to further improve the Chemical logistics processes and this together with all stakeholders across the Chemical Supply Chain.

Nick Bastiaansen holds a Master degree in Applied Economics from the K.U.Leuven with a major in International Business. He joined the Total Group in 2007 and has held different positions within the Group since then, both in Paris and Brussels. He is currently Senior Trader Aromatics within the Refining & Base Chemicals Europe division.

Joris Goethals started his career with Adpo in 2006 where he currently holds the position of Supply Chain Manager. He previously worked in several departments within the Adpo Group. Joris is a strong operations professional with a focus on innovation

Born 16 June 1964 in Klagenfurt, Austria

Married, two children

Living in Pulheim, Germany

Academic background

University of Vienna, Vienna University of Economics and Business Communications and Publicity, Anthropology, Philosophy, Slavic Studies, Advertising, Public Relations

Work experience

Freelance journalist and author for Austrian and German media, broadcasters and PR/media agencies (e.g. ORF, GGK)

Lecturer for German as a foreign language

Casting and promotion for film directors and agencies

Employment

From 1995 PR Consultant in Vienna based agency Partners in Public Relations, with customers such as Plastics Europe, ECVM, API, Kooperationsabkommen Forst-Platte-Papier etc.

From 1997 Manager for Communications and QSHE for EVC (European Vinyls Corporation), later INEOS ChlorVinyls in Wilhelmshaven/Germany; API Board Member

Since 2008 Head of Communications for INEOS in Köln with 2,000 employees and 200 apprentices/dual students and INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe with 3,700 employees; responsible for internal and external communications; community relations, lobbying, emergency response, CSR (GO Run For Fun, The Daily Mile) etc.

Professional associations/membership

IPRA Germany Chair, IPRA Golden World Award, TuWaS!

Community Board, EACV, DPRG, BDP, VCI Deutschland, VCI North Rhine-Westphalia, Wirtschaftsrat Deutschland, Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce’ Diversity Workshop, Common Purpose Rhineland, University lecturer, NLP practitioner

Awards

International Corporate Media Award of Excellence, 2013

City of Cologne’s “Diversity wins!” Award, 2012

Hobbies

Sports, travelling, arts, Austrian cuisine

Born in 1986, Ben Nagels has finished his studies with an MBA in International Business, whereafter he joined Vopak in 2008. He currently holds the position of Commercial Manager Belgium.

Paul Ruigt started his career with SABIC in 2006 where he currently holds the position of Category Manager for Shipping & Barging. He previously worked in the Supply Chain Polymers department and held a position within SABIC’s Company Procurement department. 

Paul holds a Master degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from the Technical University Eindhoven.

Nathalie Brunelle, Senior Vice President Strategy, Development & Research of Total’s Refining & Chemicals Division. 

Ms. Brunelle is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique engineering school in Paris and of a joint post graduate program between the French Petroleum institute (IFP) and McGill University in Montreal, Canada. 

After the mergers between Total, Fina and Elf, Ms. Brunelle transferred to Belgium, where she held different positions in Business Development and Marketing & Sales for Base Chemicals. From 2006 to 2008, she was Operations Manager at Fina Antwerp Olefins, a joint venture between Total Petrochemicals and ExxonMobil in Antwerp. 

In 2009, she was named Vice President; Strategic Planning at Total Petrochemicals and in 2010 became Vice President, Base Chemicals Marketing & Sales. 

Mrs. Brunelle was appointed to her current position on January 1, 2012 and transferred to Paris headquarters. 

Mrs. Brunelle has been non-executive Director of CEPSA and Rosier SA (Fertilizers).

Emanuele Bianchi is Training and Development Manager for International Resources in Versalis (Eni). His professional path in ENI began in Eni Corporate University in the Recruitment Department.

He has been in Versalis since 2007, initially in the Training & Development on the Italian plants and more recently on International context. Experienced in career counselling, he manages selection and induction activities, performance management and annual reviews, professional paths within the company and training needs.

Graduated from Cattolica University of Milan – Faculty of Psychology, he holds a certification from a Couselling Training School founded on Carl Rogers’ person - centered approach.

In his current role Thomas is leading the ISC strategy implementation, including facilitating the Integrated Business Planning (IBP)/Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process and leading the Planning team for several product lines in Performance Silicones.

Thomas’ responsibility at IBP/S&OP level is also to manage overall Performance Silicones Exports in the context of the STAR implementation.

Thomas started his career in 2002 in Dow Stade Site Logistics being responsible for the central drumming facility including scheduling of activities, technical support and development, ODMS and auditing for GMP & ISO, after he worked for three years for a beverage company in Germany as a Trainee in Supply Chain and in Project Management.

Assignments as Business Supply Chain Planner within the EPOXY business and as Operations Service Leader in Dow Logistics supported his development so that he took over the role as Mode Leader for Road, Rail & Outplant Operations in August 2013. In this role Thomas was responsible for all Road & Rail Transportation in Europe as well as all Terminal and Warehouse operations in the Region before he was named Dow Logistics Director Europe in August 2016. In this role Thomas was responsible to further develop the Dow Logistics Organization in Europe and to lead all organizational integration activities for Lion and Orion. In addition to this, Thomas was acting as the interim Leader for the ITO Team in Dow Logistics with the key responsibility of splitting the organization into two teams including hiring and onboarding new leaders for each of them to ensure future success. 

Thomas was named to his current role as Global ISC Director Performance Silicones in February 2017. 

In addition, Thomas is member of the EMEAI Steering Team for WIN representing the Supply Chain function in this critical program. He is also trainer for several Dow Trainings and acts as a Sponsor in the Sponsor to Success program to support women in their career development. 

Thomas graduated with a Diploma in Economic Engineering for Transportation and Logistics from the Technical University Bremerhaven, Germany. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and holds an APICS CSCP certification.

Born 16 June 1964 in Klagenfurt, Austria

Married, two children

Living in Pulheim, Germany

Academic background

University of Vienna, Vienna University of Economics and Business Communications and Publicity, Anthropology, Philosophy, Slavic Studies, Advertising, Public Relations

Work experience

Freelance journalist and author for Austrian and German media, broadcasters and PR/media agencies (e.g. ORF, GGK)

Lecturer for German as a foreign language

Casting and promotion for film directors and agencies

Employment

From 1995 PR Consultant in Vienna based agency Partners in Public Relations, with customers such as Plastics Europe, ECVM, API, Kooperationsabkommen Forst-Platte-Papier etc.

From 1997 Manager for Communications and QSHE for EVC (European Vinyls Corporation), later INEOS ChlorVinyls in Wilhelmshaven/Germany; API Board Member

Since 2008 Head of Communications for INEOS in Köln with 2,000 employees and 200 apprentices/dual students and INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe with 3,700 employees; responsible for internal and external communications; community relations, lobbying, emergency response, CSR (GO Run For Fun, The Daily Mile) etc.

Professional associations/membership

IPRA Germany Chair, IPRA Golden World Award, TuWaS!

Community Board, EACV, DPRG, BDP, VCI Deutschland, VCI North Rhine-Westphalia, Wirtschaftsrat Deutschland, Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce’ Diversity Workshop, Common Purpose Rhineland, University lecturer, NLP practitioner

Awards

International Corporate Media Award of Excellence, 2013

City of Cologne’s “Diversity wins!” Award, 2012

Hobbies

Sports, travelling, arts, Austrian cuisine

Mr. Mueller holds a degree in International Economics as well as an MBA and joined BASF in 2003 where he held several positions in Product and Project management as well as, more recently, in Talent management.

Mariëlle Veraa is a Human Resource Advisor for the Commercial Business of LyondellBasell in Europe. 

Within her respective business units she is responsible for all personnel related matters, talent management, succession planning and training. 

She joined LyondellBasell in 2011 as Sr. Assistant and has joined HR in 2012 as HR Generalist. After studying next to her fulltime job she has successfully obtained her Bachelor degree in Human Resource management in 2016 after which she has been appointed in her current role.

Dorothee Arns, a German national, completed her university studies in Saarbruecken (Germany), Dublin (Ireland) and Granada (Spain) with two Master degrees: one in Applied Languages & Linguistics and the other one in Business Administration with special focus on Marketing, International Management and private law. Her professional career in the chemical industry started in 1995 when she joined the marketing & sales trainee programme of BASF in Ludwigshafen. In the course of the years she held senior management positions in various areas of BASF´s chemicals business, notably in marketing, sales, eBusiness and controlling.

On 1 July 2013 she was appointed Executive Director of Cefic’s Petrochemicals and Plastic Additives Programme as well as of Petrochemicals Europe, the Association of Petrochemical Producers in Europe, formerly APPE. In a first assignment to Cefic from 2006 to 2011 she headed the solvents’ cluster as Director General of ESIG, the European Solvents Industry Group.