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).

Born in 1957, Hans-Jörg Bertschi studied Economics at the St. Gall University for Economy and Social Sciences. His doctorate dealt with the construction of the Transalpine Railway in Switzerland (1985).

He is married and father of 3 adult daughters.

Hans-Jörg Bertschi has subsequently started his career as a Business Logistics Manager (Europe) in Digital Equipment, Geneva. Since 1988 he is the President and CEO of Bertschi Holding AG, Dürrenäsch (Switzerland).

Additional functions are President of HUPAC SA, Chiasso (since 1995), Member of the Board of Cemat SpA, Rome (since 2001), and Member of the Board of SBB Cargo International AG, Olten (since 2010).

Hans-Jörg Bertschi is member of the EPCA Board and Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Board of ECTA (European Chemical Transport Association). Both EPCA and ECTA are Brussels based, international non-profit associations organized under Belgian law.

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.

Dan Holton is the Global Basic Chemicals Product Executive for ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

Dan joined ExxonMobil in 2003 after completing his MBA at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  From 2003 to 2012, Dan held a variety of marketing, sales, financial planning, and manufacturing roles with ExxonMobil Chemical based in Houston, Texas.

From 2012 to 2014, Dan held operations and commercial roles in ExxonMobil’s Fuels & Lubricants business based in the Washington DC area.  Dan returned to Houston in 2015 as the Financial Planning Manager for ExxonMobil Chemical.  He was named to his current position in September 2015.

Prior to business school, Dan earned bachelors and masters degrees in engineering and worked in management consulting.  Dan currently lives in Brussels with his wife, Jennifer, and three children.  He enjoys cycling, running, and coaching youth soccer and basketball. 

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

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).

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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.

Johan Devos started his career as sales representative with Huktra NV at Zeebrugge, Belgium. He joined Bertschi AG in 1993 as sales representative for Northern Europe and the UK/Ireland. Currently Johan holds the position of Sales Director Europe for the Bertschi Group. He is also a member of the Bertschi Management Steering team. 

Johan holds a Bachelor degree as a translator German-English-Dutch as well as a Business Management Degree.

Guy Bessant was appointed President, Stolthaven Terminals, a division of Stolt-Nielsen Limited, in March 2015. Prior to relocating to the Netherlands, he had more than fifteen years of experience in the chemical and transportation industries within the Asia Pacific and Middle East region having held senior management positions in Sasol, Covestro and Stolt-Nielsen.

He holds a BA in Modern Chinese Studies with Management from the University of Leeds (U.K.), a postgraduate diploma in International Commercial Law from Northumbria University (U.K.), and an MBA from the University of Strathclyde (U.K.).

I get my degree in Industrial Chemistry at the Science University Of Valladolid (Spain) in 1985 and after two years working in the waste water biological treatment sector I began my career in Repsol in 1988. In this company I started as technician of quality in our Polyolefins facilities at our Puertollano complex, before moving to our Technical Center in Madrid in 1990, working in the development of new Polyethylene products, mainly for the film and sheet sector .  In 1997, I completed my MBA at the IESE School of Madrid and in parallel I moved to the Business Line of Polypropylene. In this new department I worked as Product Manager in different applications (injection, automotive sector) until 2007 when I was promoted to the role of Business Director of PP where I worked until the beginning of this year. At present I lead the Logistics and Customer Services Department of our Chemical Division.

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.

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.

Jean-Christophe Hermand has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Brussels. After holding several manufacturing positions in polymers and specialty Chemicals in Europe and the US, he joined Total Petrochemicals in 2005 as worldwide transport Safety Manager. In mid 2010 he took over the responsibilities of Logistic Manager for Base Chemicals and Styrene for Europe and Asia. Following the creation of the new Total Refining Chemicals branch, he is now responsible for the Base Chemicals Logistics activities in Europe.

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.

• 2010 – today –  Bayer AG Leverkusen, Procurment, 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.

Jos Verlinden qualified as a chemical engineer at the Leuven University (Belgium) in 1977 and obtained a PhD in 1982.

In 1982 he started to work for the Belgian Association of Chemical Industries with responsibility for transport safety and occupational safety & hygiene.

In 1989 he joined ICI, a large chemical multinational, as logistics manager of ICI Belgium and later of ICI Europe. In 1993 he was appointed as the ICI corporate transport safety advisor responsible for regulatory compliance, emergency response, safety auditing and safety training for ICI’s logistics operations.

In May 2000 he started to work for Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council) as SQAS (Safety and Quality Assessment Systems) Manager. In 2002 he became Cefic Director Transport & Logistics. His main interests include European Transport Policy, Sustainable Logistics, Best Practices in Logistics, SQAS and Responsible Care.

Having joined Repsol in 1998, Ana Montenegro currently holds the position of Technical Service and Development Manager at the Polyolefins Business Unit.
Ana previously worked as Product Manager in several Polyolefins applications (pipes, cable, adhesives, auto,…) and as Polypropylene Technician at the Technology Repsol Center.
Ana holds a Masters in Science and Technology of Polymers and Rubbers from the Superior Center for Scientific Research and a Master in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Executive also in Madrid.
She also completed an R&D Strategic Management training at INSEAD, France.

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.

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 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).

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

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.    

Hans-Christoph Six is Senior Vice President HR at Evonik Performance Materials located in Essen / Germany. He studied business administration and has more than 25 years of professional experience in different global acting companies.

Education:
27.07.1986 – 07.07.1988:      apprenticeship industrial clerk, Telenorma GmbH, Frankfurt
01.10.1988 – 08.10.1991:      university of applied sciences, Frankfurt; diploma in business administration 

Career:
08.07.1988 – 30.09.1988:      Telenorma GmbH
Industrial Clerk / Administrator global HR-reporting 

01.02.1992 – 31.05.2001:      Milupa GmbH & Co. KG
HR manager and director in different roles and countries 

01.06.2001 – 29.02.2004:      Degussa AG
HR-Manager Business-Unit Finechemicals                                          

01.03.2004 – 31.05.2012:      Evonik Industries AG
Global HR-Partner for the Service-Unit Process-Technology and Engineering / Chemical Energy Management 

01.03.2004 – 31.05.2012:      Evonik Industries AG
Global HR-Partner for the Business Unit Advanced Intermediates 

Since 01.01.2015:                  Evonik Performance Materials GmbH
Global HR-Partner for the Segment Performance Materials

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.