Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemicals company, announced today that the Board of Directors of Clariant AG has nominated Ben van Beurden as a candidate for chairman and member of the Board of Directors. The nomination follows a thorough selection process conducted by the Board's Nomination Committee. Shareholders will vote on the nomination at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 1, 2025. If elected, van Beurden will succeed Günter von Au, who has served as a board member since 2012 and chairman since 2021.

Van Beurden, a Dutch national, would join Clariant's board with extensive experience in the energy and chemicals sectors. Most recently, he served as CEO of Shell plc from 2014 to 2023, where he led the company through significant transformations, including the development of Shell's comprehensive net-zero strategy. In 2024, van Beurden joined KKR as a senior advisor for their Climate Fund, focusing on energy transition investments. He holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology.

Günter von Au, chairman of Clariant, said, "We are delighted that Ben van Beurden has accepted the nomination as candidate for the new chairman of Clariant’s Board of Directors. His wealth of experience in leading a global organization makes him an ideal choice to guide Clariant's future direction. Ben's strong background in chemicals and his commitment to sustainability align perfectly with Clariant's purpose-led growth strategy."

Van Beurden commented on his nomination: "I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for chairman at Clariant, a company with a rich history of innovation in specialty chemicals. Should shareholders approve my nomination, I look forward to working closely with the board and management team to drive Clariant's profitable growth, sustainability initiatives, and shareholder value."

Clariant CEO Conrad Keijzer added, "Ben's nomination comes at a crucial time for our industry. His proven track record and deep understanding of the chemicals sector will be invaluable as we continue positioning Clariant as a leader in innovation and sustainable solutions. We are excited to benefit from his insights and leadership."

The board also expressed its sincere gratitude to Günter von Au for his dedicated service and significant contributions to Clariant. Under his leadership, the company developed and successfully implemented a new purpose-led strategy to strengthen its focus on sustainable specialty chemicals. This strategy included a portfolio transformation, stronger governance, and a new operating model. With its strengthened culture, accelerated decision-making, and enhanced innovation and customer centricity, Clariant is well-positioned for profitable growth.