Dr. Antonis Papadourakis assumes the responsibilities of president and chief executive officer of Lanxess Corporation and country speaker for the NAFTA region, effective July 1, 2015. Dr. Papadourakis, who has held the position of regional group president, Americas at Altuglas International, a subsidiary of Arkema group, since 2012, also assumes the function of business unit head, responsible for all NAFTA activities, of the High Performance Materials business unit (BU HPM).
Dr. Papadourakis began his career at Arkema in 2007 as business director, organic peroxides, Americas. In September 2008, he was promoted to general manager, sustainability additives and in February 2012, joined Altuglas International. Dr. Papadourakis also held several positions with Rohm and Haas in Bristol, Pennsylvania, London, England and in Paris, France. Dr. Papadourakis repatriated to the United States to join Engelhard Corporation (now BASF).
A native of Greece, Dr. Papadourakis earned a degree from the University of Thessaloniki and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; both in chemical engineering. Papadourakis is married and has three children.
Flemming B. Bjoernslev, president and chief executive officer since October 2012, is leaving his position at the Pittsburgh-based specialty chemical company to take over new responsibilities within the Lanxess group.
For more information, visit: www.lanxess.com