CHICAGO - Robert Shengkui Hu has joined The HallStar Co.’s senior management team as Vice President, Research and Development. He will initially report to and replace Gary Wentworth, who will retire from the specialty chemical company this year after overseeing the transition of his responsibilities. 

Before joining HallStar, Hu served as Vice President of Global Technology at Beckers Consumer Design Finishes (CDF), a division of Beckers Industrial Coatings/Lindengruppen, which specializes in innovative coatings for consumer electronics and household appliances. He was responsible for the division’s R&D strategy and patent portfolio. 

The HallStar Co. is a privately held corporation that traces its roots back over 90 years. The company is focused on providing innovative chemical solutions for its customers in more than 50 countries across six continents. HallStar Innovations Corp., the group’s research and development affiliate, has developed more than 100 patents.