Covestro has announced that Dr. Yun Chen will take over as the head of its European production for the Performance Materials (PM) Business Entity, effective February.
He succeeds Dr. Daniel Koch, who is leaving the company at the end of January at his own request.
Extensive Leadership Experience
Dr. Yun Chen brings over three decades of experience within Covestro and Bayer to his new role.
Prior to this, he led performance materials operations in the Asia-Pacific region for three years.
The chemical engineer, who earned his doctorate in Germany, began his career at Covestro’s Krefeld-Uerdingen site and has since held various leadership roles globally.
Hermann Dörholt, Head of the Performance Materials Business Entity at Covestro stated, “I would like to sincerely thank Daniel Koch for his excellent work and commitment over the past years. I wish him all the best for his future career”.
Dörholt also welcomed Dr. Chen, noting his extensive industry knowledge, leadership skills, and successful tenure in Asia. He said, “I am confident that Yun will successfully guide and develop our European sites through the current challenges”.
Focus on Safety, Reliability, and Efficiency
As Dr. Chen transitions into his new role, he recognizes the challenges faced by the chemical industry in Europe, especially during this transformative period.
He emphasizes the importance of making production more reliable and efficient while transitioning to climate neutrality and a circular economy. “I look forward to tackling these challenges together with our dedicated team,” said Chen.
He highlights the potential opportunities that the current developments bring, particularly through digitalization and the increased use of artificial intelligence.
Safety remains a top priority for Chen, who stresses the continued importance of maintaining safe practices for both employees and production facilities.
Bringing Experience from Asia to Europe
Dr. Chen plans to integrate his experiences from Asia with the expertise of his European colleagues. Drawing from his long-standing career, he aims to strengthen Covestro’s operations by aligning local strategies with global insights.
As per the press release, his leadership approach will focus on the ongoing safety of employees and facilities, which he regards as fundamental to daily operations.
