Our organisation

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

2017	President, Petrochemicals, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany
2013	President, Region Europe & MEA, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen
2008	President, Procurement, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen
2005	Group Vice President, Regional Business Unit, Diols & Polyalcohols Europe, BASF Aktiengesellschaft (since January 14, 2008 BASF SE), Ludwigshafen
2003	Group Vice President, Regional Business Management, Eastern Europe, Africa, West Asia, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen
2001	Group Vice President, Global Business Unit, Performance Chemicals for Leather, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen
1998	Director, Global Marketing Leather Chemicals, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen
1994	Director, Controlling Textile and Leather, Dyes and Chemicals, BASF Aktiengesellschaft in Ludwigshafen and Singapore
1992	Joined Finance division of BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen

Over his 30 year long career in the Eni petrochemical business, Mr. Chiappani has held positions entailing growing responsibilities within industrial operations , sales, marketing, business service, technical assistance

Valued for his solid expertise in industrial operations management , mainly in Styrenics and Intermediates in Mantua site , from 2010 to 2012 Mr. Chiappani moved up to serve as site Director in Ferrara , which enabled him to enhance his experience across-the-board, by building competence in handling the polyethylene and elastomers businesses.

In 2012, Mr. Chiappani became an integral part of the Versalis Executive Team successfully by taking up the position of Executive Vice President of the Styrenics Business Unit , reporting directly to Versalis’ CEO and holds stewardship of both the unit commercial functions - sales, marketing, business service, technical assistance - and industrial operations  ,he has been instrumental in exceeding all performance targets until 2014, when he took on the new challenge of spearheading the Elastomers Business Unit. As Head of elastomers business was also in charge of the JV (with Lotte Chemical ) in Korea    ( Lotte Versalis Elastomers ) and Director of the Board of Chinese subsidiary Versalis Pacific Trading, with offices in Shanghai and Singapore and Director of the Board of Versalis Americas Inc., with head offices in Houston, Texas.

From July 2019 Head of the Intermediates Business Unit.

Marco Chiappani holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bologna.

Kate Johnson was appointed General Manager Intermediates EUAF with effect from January 1^st. 2017. Based in the Netherlands, she is accountable for the commercial delivery, and P&L, for a range of Chemical products in EUAF (Solvents, propylene oxide-related products, Ethylene Oxide, Styrene Monomer and Higher Olefins and Derivatives) with a team of about 100 people in a variety of commercial roles. The challenge in the role comes from the variety of markets as well as leading the community.

Kate joined Shell in the UK in 1986 after completing a chemistry degree. Her career in Shell has been largely in Chemicals - in commercial roles in different product lines, as well as in projects. Outside of Shell Chemicals, but within Shell, Kate has enjoyed stints in crude oil trading, Group Finance, procurement and the Shell bitumen and sulphur businesses.

She is recognized for driving performance and growth with an energizing and collaborative style with ability to quickly adapt to new situations and lead teams to respond.  She is a challenging but caring leader who builds environment of trust.

She also has a passion for diversity – representing the Downstream Businesses in the Shell Netherlands executive committee for the Shell women’s network as well as having been on the steering committee for D&I for the European Petrochemicals Association.

John McNally was born in the UK but was raised and educated in the USA. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1982 and a PhD in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1987.  

He has worked in the petrochemical industry for 27 years, first for BP and then INEOS, in a variety of Technical, Operational and Commercial Management roles in 5 countries. 

His most recent previous role was as Chief Operating Officer for INEOS Bio based in Florida, USA. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer for INEOS Olefins and Polymers, UK in August 2014. In the past four years, he has overseen over £500m of investment in the Grangemouth petrochemicals complex.

John is married and has two sons in university.  He currently resides with his wife in London near the INEOS UK Headquarters, but splits his time between the London and Grangemouth offices.

Richard Roudeix is currently responsible for LyondellBasell’s Olefins business for the Europe region and the president of LyondellBasell companies in France. He has held roles in France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and the USA, with business experience in Europe, North America and Asia with LyondellBasell and predecessor companies Basell, Elenac, Montell and Shell.  A significant proportion of his career has been in the polymers business. Richard is a graduate of the Ecole des Mines engineering school and of a post-graduate program from French Petroleum Institute.Since 2012, Richard has been appointed Chairman of the Association of Petrochemicals Producers in Europe (now renamed Petrochemicals Europe)

1986 German High School Degree Abitur

1988 Start career in HELM AG

1988 – 1990 Apprenticeship

1990 – 1991 Product Manager Polymers

1992 – 1998 Head of Department Polymers

1998 – 2006 Managing Director HELM Great Britain Ltd., London

2006 – 2009 Executive Manager Division Olefins & Glycols

2009 – 2019 Executive Director Business Unit Derivatives

2020 onwards Member of the Executive Board Business Line Chemicals

no information

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.

Mr. de Vries holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Twente University and an INSEAD Certificate in “Finance for Executives”. He joined SABIC in 2003, achieving a wealthy experience both in Supply Chain, Logistics as well as Business Management in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.  As Director Global Foam & Lightweight he drove the implementation of innovative foam and lightweight solutions into the market, leading a global and multidisciplinary team (Marketing, Technology and Sales) towards unmet needs in the Packaging, Automotive, Consumer Goods and the Construction markets. Prior to SABIC, Mr. de Vries worked as Site Logistics Manager and Production Office Manager at DSM in Geleen (the Netherlands). I am sending you enclosed a more detailed bio for your information.

Simon Goswell is the Supply Chain Director for LyondellBasell’s  European, Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific Polymers and Chemical Supply Chain operations.   He has worked for LyondellBasell and its predecessor companies for the last 28 years in a variety of sales and business management roles and prior to his current role was the Sales Director for Europe, Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific for their Intermediates and Derivatives business.

Mr. Perra graduated as Mechanical Engineer with a specialization in Maintenance Engineering at the University of Cagliari (Italy). He started his career as Site Manager Deputy and Responsible for Industrial Services Department at Polimeri Europe and since 2009 held several positions at Eni-Versalis, including those of Site Manager of the Ferrara (2012-2016) and Brindisi (2016-2019) sites.

After having studied in Belgium, France, Spain and Italy, Frederick started his career in The Netherlands, working for a large German corporation in the waste sector learning that every single aspect of that business was constantly monitored and measured to enable improvement.

By coincidence Frederick learned that the ‘rail & intermodal freight’-sector was still being operated relying very heavily on manual efforts leaving a big opportunity for improvement.

After 10 years of corporate experience, it was time to start up his own business to fill in the gap discovered in the rail sector. Thus Ovinto was born in 2010 with a mission to optimise the complete supply chain regarding rail & intermodal cargo. This because if we would only put 4% extra in rail freight, we would immediately reduce road transport by more than 9% having a phenomenal impact on mobility and CO2 emissions.

In the last 9 years Frederick has grown the company from a small startup focusing on the monitoring of extremely hazardous goods towards a reference player providing a technology platform to optimise rail & intermodal freight towards large chemical industries such as INEOS, Evonik, Sabic, LyondellBasell, Covestro… and working together with partners such as SAP, Deloitte and the European Space Agency.

Peter van Egerschot is Logistics Director for Dow Europe since March 2018. He joined the Dow Chemical Company in 1997 in Terneuzen, Netherlands, and has since then worked in a variety of roles in supply chain planning, improvement and logistics. Prior to his current role, he was responsible for managing the supply chain for Dow’s Polyurethanes business in EMEAI as of 2012.

Peter holds a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology, a post masters in logistics management systems from the same university, and a MBA from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan (US).

Jean-Marc VIALLATTE, 45 years old, is a graduate engineer from IFMA (Institut Français de Mécanique Avancée) in France and from Cambridge University in the UK. He holds a Master’s in mechanical engineering and automated production systems, and an APICS certification.

In 1997 he joined the American group Avery Dennison as customer logistics Project Manager, before heading the introduction of an ERP system for France. He later held a number of Lean Sigma heavily oriented operational posts in plants, being consecutively production manager, plant manager and operations manager France.

In 2006 he joined the Hamelin group as Subsidiary General Manager before becoming Group Managing Director in charge of operations, supply chain and information systems. In this position he oversaw the complete transformation of the group, and put in place a new organization based on standardized processes and an SAP solution rolled out across the group’s 50 sites on the five continents.

In 2013 he joined the Tarkett group as supply chain Vice President for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, creating the group’s supply chain function, and later became the group’s Global supply chain Director in charge of the transformation.

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.

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

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.

Graduated Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands (2014)

Started career in Shell in 2014.

Previously responsible for Naphtha supply chain in Shell Trading & Supply.

Currently Business Manager Benzene & Aromatic Feedstock in Shell Chemicals Europe.

Christoph´s career in Logistics started in 2005 when he joined GeoLogistics, today known as Agility

Logistics Solutions BV. Since then he has developed into his current role as National Operations Manager, Germany & Netherlands. 

In his current role he focuses on operational excellence by making sure working instructions are up to date and lead internal audit processes. Furthermore, he leads carrier and customer reviews with a high focus on key performance indicators (KPI). As the market demands efficiency, especially on OTIF – On Time in Full – he leads a project team looking for smart logistic solutions to improve the supply chains of customers whilst also focusing on reducing the environmental footprint. Christoph also leads a project in Germany and the Netherlands to reduce paper use and improve productivity while smartly implementing computer systems and aligning internal KPI measurements. This has already allowed the company to spread work over boundaries to ensure a high level of service is maintained, even during high order levels. 

In his first few years with Agility Christoph worked for multiple divisions within the company such as Airfreight / Sea freight / Overland / Fairs & Events and within the project department. Beside these responsibilities he also completed a Bachelor of Business Administration, graduating in June 2014 with the title of State Certified Business Economist.

Born in 1984, Alain Hadorn has finished his studies with a Master of Arts in Law and Economics in 2009 and worked in a leading business law firm in Zürich thereafter. He passed his bar exam in 2013. By January 2014, Alain Hadorn joined the Bertschi Group and has undergone a complete logistics traineeship program incl. planning, a period as truck driver, leading a dispatch-department as well as tender and HR management. Since 2015, Alain Hadorn is Project Manager Quotations for the Business Units Liquids of the Bertschi Group, and as such also Deputy Commercial Manager of this BU. He is married and father of 2 boys.

Jarno Ott started his career in shortsea business and is now working for Huntsman since 2014 (Purchasing Department) as Senior Buyer of Logistic Services for the Huntsman Performance Products Division within EAME region.

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.

Loraine is currently Executive Logistics and Distribution Manager for the Chemical division of Exxon Mobil in Europe, Middle East & Africa. Her organization is responsible for the efficient operation of the network chain while driving improvements to meet service needs to enable the execution of the business strategies. The span is broad, from raw material sourcing and production planning, managing imports and exports flows around the world through to delivery of finished product to the end customer. She is leading a global program to bring upgraded IT platform functionality to the logistics and distribution network. Her team is also responsible for infrastructure improvements that support the integrated supply chain aspects of multibillion $ capital growth projects. Her passion is the relentless pursuit of excellence in Safety, Health and Environmental performance. 

Loraine graduated in Chemistry at the University of Loughborough, UK, in 1987 and joined ExxonMobil Chemical in the commercial organization in Southampton, England.  She held a variety of positions in sales, manufacturing, quality, logistics, procurement and market development before joining the technology organization in 1993, based in Machelen, Belgium.  This was followed by roles in product management, marketing and financial reporting across a number of chemical businesses.  

In 2003 she relocated to Houston, USA, to take up a global business planning position, followed by supply and then manufacturing, including a focus on energy efficiency.  In 2010, Loraine returned to Belgium in the Intermediates business before taking up her current position in January 2013.   

For many years she has engaged in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, both within the corporation and in more public settings. She sees this as a key enabler to drive innovation and operational improvements in the business and more broadly in industry. 

Loraine lives in Brussels and is married with 2 children.    

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

Kate Johnson was appointed General Manager Intermediates EUAF with effect from January 1^st. 2017. Based in the Netherlands, she is accountable for the commercial delivery, and P&L, for a range of Chemical products in EUAF (Solvents, propylene oxide-related products, Ethylene Oxide, Styrene Monomer and Higher Olefins and Derivatives) with a team of about 100 people in a variety of commercial roles. The challenge in the role comes from the variety of markets as well as leading the community.

Kate joined Shell in the UK in 1986 after completing a chemistry degree. Her career in Shell has been largely in Chemicals - in commercial roles in different product lines, as well as in projects. Outside of Shell Chemicals, but within Shell, Kate has enjoyed stints in crude oil trading, Group Finance, procurement and the Shell bitumen and sulphur businesses.

She is recognized for driving performance and growth with an energizing and collaborative style with ability to quickly adapt to new situations and lead teams to respond.  She is a challenging but caring leader who builds environment of trust.

She also has a passion for diversity – representing the Downstream Businesses in the Shell Netherlands executive committee for the Shell women’s network as well as having been on the steering committee for D&I for the European Petrochemicals Association. 

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.

Born 1986, Andrea Pota finished her studies at Budapest Business School as an economist specializing in Export-Import Management (2009). Meanwhile, she started to work for Den Hartogh Logistics as a trainee. Within 3 years, she became the Head of Operations for their Hungarian subsidiary. May 2014 she joined the Bertschi Group in Switzerland and after a 3 months’ introduction program, Andrea joined the Italian dispatch team for dry bulk. In 2015 she took on a new challenge and moved to Austria, Schwechat for 6 months to drive the implementation of an on-site container storage concept at a major petrochemical producer. After finalizing the project, she returned to the Bertschi Swiss HQ and took over the position Tender Manager for Dry Bulk. Currently, as Project Manager, Andrea is mainly focusing on key projects within the Dry Bulk Team. During her career as part of the Dry Bulk Management Team at Bertschi, she also attended Front Leadership training and joined the Netlop Seminar organized by the Kuehne & Nagel Foundation.

I am an International HR Development and Training Manager (Versalis SpA) with almost 15 years’ experience in managing international cross-functional HR areas/projects. I have joined HR community after a Master Degree in Personal and Organization Management, awarded by Bocconi University – Milan.

I have been working for ENI since 2005, improving my knowledge and experience in the HR areas: Development, Organization and international management in Italy and abroad, with two years’ experience in Norway in the sphere of Development and Organization and one year in UK as an HR referent of a company acquisition project.

Thanks to my strong experience in HR, Development and International Management, in 2019 I started a new assignment in Versalis (Eni) as International HR Development and Training Manager.