The ChemQuest Group, a global consulting firm focused on tailored business strategy and optimization, technology acceleration, market intelligence, and M&A advisory services for the specialty materials industry, welcomes two new global leaders to its team. Sharon Feng, Ph.D., has been named a Vice President, while Prem Patel has joined the firm as a Director.

Sharon Feng began her career with Bayer Corp., rising through the ranks and developing expertise in organic pigments, polymer resins, and emerging coating technologies such as waterborne, high-solids, powder, and UV coatings before being named Vice President of Business Development for the Coatings, Adhesives, and Specialties segment of Bayer MaterialScience for the Asia-Pacific region. Subsequently, she served in three Vice President roles, leading EHS, supply chain, and innovation functions with both Lanxess Corp. and Bayer MaterialScience North America. 

Feng later transitioned to R&D leadership positions with PPG Industries, most recently serving as Global Technical Director for Corporate R&D. In addition, Feng has been an Independent Director on the board of Koppers Inc. since 2009. She earned a doctorate in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MS in chemistry from the University of California at Davis, and a combined BS/MS in chemistry from Nanjing University.

Over his career, Prem Patel has developed extensive strategy, marketing, sales, operations, and product development experience in B2B value chains. In roles for companies such as Rogers Corp., Lear Corp., and Milliken & Co., he has been successful in growing P&Ls by leading and scaling strategy, M&A, product management, innovation, and operations initiatives across global value chains.

Patel most recently served as director of Corporate Strategy and Growth Options for Ingevity Corp. He holds an MBA from Duke University and a BS in chemical engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

Feng and Patel will draw on their considerable expertise to support ChemQuest’s Business Strategy & Transformation and M&A Advisory Services pillars. In addition, Feng will assist Technology Development clients in pursuing their R&D goals.

“Sharon and Prem are exciting additions to the ChemQuest team. Their specialty chemicals and advanced materials knowledge is top-notch, and they both have built strong relationships with their leadership acumen and collaboration throughout their careers. I’m looking forward to working with them both. Their broad and deep expertise will benefit our clients in any number of projects,” said Danuel Murad, ChemQuest CEO. 

“Over 30 years of my career in the coatings and specialties industry, I had often looked to ChemQuest for valuable insights on market trends and value chain dynamics that informed the development of our innovation as well as business growth strategy. I have always admired the depth of expertise and rich experience of ChemQuest teams, as well as the superb quality of the work they produced. I am excited to join the ChemQuest team at this pivotal time when our industries and the markets we serve are undergoing many disruptive transformations. I am very much looking forward to working with ChemQuest colleagues to solve challenging problems and create value for our clients,” said Feng.

“I had the opportunity to work with ChemQuest while in a previous strategy role, and I was very impressed by the quality and breadth of insights they provided. Truly best-in-class. After decades of various market development and strategy roles in the chemicals and materials industry, I realized that the joy of learning about new markets and helping businesses and people grow is my why. Working with the deep and diverse bench of experts at ChemQuest offers an exceptional opportunity to accelerate value creation and transformation at many companies vs. just one. I can’t think of a better place to be,” Patel said.

To learn more, please email info@chemquest.com or visit https://www.chemquest.com.