Solvay CEO elected president of Cefic
06 Oct 2008
Solvay chief executive officer Christian Jourquin has been elected president of Cefic, the European Chemistry Industry Council.
Mr Jourquin was elected to a two-year term of office by the trade association's general assembly.
Brussels-based Cefic represents around 27,000 small, medium and large-sized companies in the chemical industry which employ more than 1.2 million people.
In his inaugural speech, the new president said: "The chemical industry must reinforce, and be seen to reinforce, its credentials as a responsible and sustainable actor at the heart of the fight against climate change."
He added that the industry must better highlight the many important products it has developed to the benefit of the world.
Meanwhile, Solvay has announced it is to invest 55 million euros (£42.5 million) at its site in Tavaux, France, for the conversion of part of its mercury-based electrolysis unit into one based on membranes.
The company said the move will reduce electricity consumption and thus the environmental impact of the site.