Desné brings nearly 30 years of international experience in materials and chemicals, including leadership roles involving global industrial operations, business transformation, growth and strategic repositioning.

Before joining Arkema, Desné served since 2022 as CEO of Bekaert’s Steel Wire Solutions and Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group businesses and was a member of Bekaert Group’s executive committee.

Earlier in his career, Desné held a series of positions with BASF’s Coatings and Performance Chemicals divisions. Based at different points in Germany, Japan, China and Singapore, he worked in controlling and general management and served in senior vice president roles across businesses including Coatings, Leather & Textile Chemicals and Water, Oil Field & Mining Solutions. 

Desné began his career with Rhodia in China and France, working in quality management and silicone application development. Before joining Bekaert, he also served as CEO of Recticel’s Engineered Foams business and as a member of that company's executive committee.

He holds a master’s degree in physics from Université Paris Cité, an MBA from the Wharton School and a master’s degree in international business from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. 

The High Performance Polymers and Fluorogases organization includes specialty materials serving a range of industrial markets. Arkema's broader portfolio includes raw materials and technologies used in architectural and industrial coatings, adhesives, batteries and other formulated-material applications.

Desné brings direct coatings-industry experience to Arkema's executive committee at a time when the company continues to expand specialty polymers and materials serving coatings, battery and other high-performance applications.