Former IMCD Director Named OQEMA CEO
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OQEMA Group has appointed Lars Wallstein as chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026.
Wallstein will join Chief Operating Officer Philipp Junge and Chief Financial Officer Hartmut Kunz on the company’s executive leadership team. He succeeds Patrick Barthels, who will support the handover during a six-month transition period.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Barthels will become regional president of OQEMA’s Flavors & Fragrances division.
Wallstein brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience in chemical distribution and specialty chemicals. Most recently, he served as managing director at IMCD, with responsibility for Germany and several international markets. His experience includes business development, acquisitions and integrations, according to OQEMA.
Wallstein also serves as president of the European Association of Chemical Distributors, or FECC.
OQEMA is a European chemical distributor with approximately 1,600 employees across 54 locations in 26 countries. The company supplies chemical-processing industries with procurement, product development, mixing, logistics and recycling services, as well as a portfolio of more than 15,000 products.
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