Lanxess gets new leadership for Americas region

Lanxess — a specialty chemicals company based in Cologne, Germany — announced that Antonis Papadourakis, CEO and president for the company’s Americas region, retired after more than eight years in the position.

Mr. Papadourakis joined the company in 2015 with over 35 years in the chemicals industry, the company said Monday in a prepared statement. He was replaced by Frederique van Baarle, who previously worked as labor director and a member of the board of management for Lanxess, which has offices in Findlay and production facilities in Burgettstown and Neville Island.

“It has been an honor to have been a part of the world-class team at LANXESS, and having the opportunity to work alongside so many amazing colleagues,” said Mr. Papadourakis, who retired on Sept. 30. “I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful experiences and the professional and personal relationships developed during my tenure here. The team and future operations within the region have a bright future with Frederique van Baarle at the helm.”

Ms. van Baarle took over on Oct. 1. She joined Lanxess’ board of management in April, overseeing operations in the Americas region, while also working as labor director. She lives in the Pittsburgh region, where the company’s Americas region operations are based, and is the first Lanxess board member to live outside Germany, the company said.

She joined the company in 2011, and has more than 20 years of experience in the global chemical industry.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to lead the team here in the Americas, which is becoming an increasingly important region for our industry and for LANXESS,” said Ms. van Baarle, in a prepared statement. “I’m incredibly appreciative for the leadership Antonis has shown over the past few months during this transition, and I look forward to meeting so many colleagues and building upon the well-established safety and sustainability programs already in place.”