Sanofi convened its Mixed General Meeting of Shareholders on April 29, 2026, in Paris under the chairmanship of Frédéric Oudéa. Shareholders approved all resolutions with strong support, signaling confidence in the company’s leadership and strategic direction.

Belén Garijo Appointed as CEO

The meeting confirmed the appointment of Belén Garijo as a member of the Board of Directors. Consequently, she will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2026, in line with the Board’s earlier decision in February.

Frédéric Oudéa emphasized her leadership qualities and extensive experience. He noted that she combines scientific expertise with operational excellence and has consistently delivered results in global environments. He also highlighted her ability to connect research, strategy, and business transformation. According to him, her leadership will help strengthen execution discipline, improve capital allocation, and convert scientific innovation into sustained performance.

Strategic Vision for the Future

Furthermore, Oudéa stressed that Garijo’s clear decision-making approach and consistent execution will play a crucial role in accelerating Sanofi’s transformation. He added that her leadership will support long-term value creation for patients, employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders.

Dividend Approval and Financial Decisions

The General Meeting approved the company’s social and consolidated accounts for the 2025 fiscal year. Additionally, shareholders agreed to distribute an annual dividend of €4.12 per share. The company will issue the dividend payment on May 7, 2026.

Board Changes and New Appointments

The meeting also renewed the board mandates of Christophe Babule and Jean-Paul Kress. At the same time, the Board welcomed Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, as an independent board member. She brings valuable expertise in digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

Board Composition and Governance

The Board of Directors now includes 16 members, including two employee representatives. Notably, it maintains a high independence rate of 79%. Moreover, women represent 57% of the board, while foreign nationals account for 50%, reflecting strong diversity and international representation.

Committee Restructuring

Following the departures of Paul Hudson and Patrick Kron, the Board implemented several governance changes. It appointed Frédéric Oudéa as Chairman of the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee. Meanwhile, Belén Garijo joined the Strategic Committee. Additionally, Christel Heydemann became a member of both the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee and the Compensation Committee.

Leadership Background: Belén Garijo

Belén Garijo previously served as CEO and President of Merck Group for five years. During her tenure, she led a major transformation of its healthcare business by repositioning the portfolio, reorganizing R&D, and realigning the commercial model. As a result, the company strengthened its presence in oncology and immunology.

Earlier in her career, she worked at Sanofi-Aventis as Senior Vice President of Global Operations Europe, where she oversaw the integration of Genzyme after its acquisition. She has also held multiple leadership roles across the healthcare sector.

A trained physician specializing in clinical pharmacology, Garijo began her career at La Paz Hospital in Madrid.

Ion Exchange (India) Ltd has entered into a strategic technology transfer and manufacturing collaboration with MANN+HUMMEL to produce advanced PVDF ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with integrated UltraSKID systems. Additionally, the partnership will enable the transfer of Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) technology to India in a phased manner.

Combining Global Expertise with Local Strength

This collaboration brings together MANN+HUMMEL’s global expertise in membrane technology and intelligent separation solutions with Ion Exchange’s strong engineering capabilities and established presence in India’s water and wastewater treatment sector. As a result, both companies aim to deliver high-performance and reliable solutions tailored to evolving market needs.

Manufacturing and Commercialization in India

Under the agreement, Ion Exchange will manufacture, integrate systems, and commercialize PVDF hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes using MANN+HUMMEL’s advanced technology. Production will take place at Ion Exchange’s expanded, state-of-the-art HYDRAMEM® membrane manufacturing facility in Goa. Consequently, this initiative will strengthen domestic production capabilities and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Expanding the HYDRAMEM® Portfolio

Furthermore, the collaboration will reinforce Ion Exchange’s HYDRAMEM® portfolio by offering a comprehensive range of membrane-based technologies, including Ultrafiltration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), and Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) systems. This integrated approach will help reduce import dependence while ensuring faster delivery timelines and improved supply reliability for customers. As per press release, the initiative also aligns with India’s broader industrial and sustainability goals.

Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration

Sridhar Padmanaban, Senior Vice President at Ion Exchange (India) Limited, stated that the partnership marks a significant milestone in delivering world-class solutions through advanced membrane manufacturing. He emphasized that the collaboration supports the Government’s “Make in India” vision and contributes to the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 by promoting self-reliance in critical water treatment technologies.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sathe, Senior Vice President and General Manager at MANN+HUMMEL Water & Membrane Solutions, highlighted that the partnership reflects a strong global collaboration focused on technology transfer and localized manufacturing. He noted that combining complementary strengths will enhance the availability of high-performance filtration solutions across markets.

About Ion Exchange (India) Limited

Ion Exchange (India) Ltd is a global leader in total water and environment management, with over 60 years of expertise. The company delivers integrated solutions for water and wastewater treatment, recycling, desalination, and high-purity water systems across industries, municipalities, and communities.

Notably, the company established a fully integrated Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane manufacturing plant in Goa in 2017 under the “Made in India” initiative, thereby contributing to foreign exchange savings. Its portfolio includes HYDRAMEM® membranes, INDION® ion exchange resins, specialty chemicals, and engineered systems, all supported by robust R&D, digital water solutions, and a global service network.

AmpereHour Energy has partnered with Organo Eco Habitats to launch India’s first residential community powered by a centralised Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Organo Antharam. This milestone sets a new benchmark for sustainable living in the country. As per press release, the initiative highlights AmpereHour Energy’s leadership in delivering advanced energy solutions for future-ready communities.

A Vision Rooted in Sustainable “Rurban” Living

Organo Antharam draws inspiration from traditional Indian villages, where sustainability shapes every aspect of life. Located in Chevella, the community blends modern comforts with rural charm—a concept the company describes as “Rurban living.”

Moreover, Organo Eco Habitats envisioned a community that actively moves toward net-zero energy. To achieve this, it sought to reduce dependence on conventional power systems that contradict its sustainability goals. In this journey, AmpereHour Energy has played a crucial role by transforming that vision into practical, everyday infrastructure.

Advanced Energy Storage Powers the Entire Community

The community now operates on a sophisticated 500KVA/608kWh energy storage system that powers its entire ecosystem. Not only does the system integrate solar photovoltaic (PV), grid electricity, and battery storage, but it also manages them seamlessly.

As a result, the community maintains resilience, self-sufficiency, and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, residents benefit from uninterrupted, high-quality power without noise or pollution.

Intelligent Energy System Enhances Efficiency

At the heart of the project lies an intelligent energy management system that acts as a central “brain.” It continuously balances solar energy, grid supply, and battery storage to ensure optimal performance.

Consequently, the system significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels and completely eliminates the need for diesel generators. This transition leads to cleaner energy consumption and a more reliable living experience for residents.

Leadership Perspectives on the Milestone

Ayush Misra, Co-Founder and CEO of AmpereHour Energy, emphasized the project’s national significance. He stated that the initiative sets a benchmark for the country and goes beyond being just a backup solution. Instead, it represents a comprehensive energy strategy that redefines how residential communities can achieve clean and reliable power.

Meanwhile, Rakesh Koti, Head of Sustainability and Business Development at Organo, highlighted the company’s holistic approach. He explained that Organo treats sustainability as a systems-level decision, spanning land, water, energy, and built environments. He further noted that energy plays a critical role in making communities truly sustainable, and AmpereHour Energy has enabled Organo to build reliable, efficient infrastructure for long-term impact.

Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Communities

Overall, this collaboration establishes a new standard for residential sustainability in India. By integrating advanced battery storage with renewable energy sources, the project demonstrates how communities can achieve cleaner, more efficient, and uninterrupted power—paving the way for a greener future.

Simon India Ltd. (SIL) has secured copyright registration under the Copyright Act, 1957 for its proprietary platform, PROTON SI (Project Response & Operations Tracker via Optimized Network). The company developed this AI-powered project control solution to enhance visibility, enable predictive risk management, and improve execution efficiency across large-scale projects.

Addressing Complex Project Environments

PROTON SI tackles the growing complexities in sectors such as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), infrastructure, and manufacturing. Specifically, it integrates project planning, monitoring, and analytics into a single digital ecosystem. As per press release, the platform simplifies coordination while improving overall operational clarity.

Enhancing Visibility and Decision-Making

Moreover, the platform enables real-time tracking of project performance. It leverages artificial intelligence to identify potential risks and recommend corrective actions. At the same time, its integrated dashboard provides stakeholders with a comprehensive view of project health, allowing faster and more informed decision-making.

Key Features of PROTON SI

The platform offers a wide range of features that strengthen project execution:

• It delivers real-time dashboards and S-curve analytics to track planned versus actual progress. 
• It uses AI-driven risk assessment to identify delays early and suggest mitigation strategies. 
• It provides interactive Gantt charts along with critical path visibility to improve planning and execution control. 
• It ensures role-based access and client view dashboards, thereby enhancing transparency and collaboration. 
• It supports both mobile-enabled and web-based access for seamless on-site and remote operations. 
• It includes a multilingual AI-enabled chatbot to improve usability and communication across diverse teams. 

Importantly, its predictive intelligence capability continuously analyses project data and dependencies. As a result, it flags potential risks early and allows teams to shift from reactive monitoring to proactive execution.

Leadership Perspective on Innovation

Mr. Athar Shahab, Chairman of Simon India Ltd., emphasized the importance of integrated systems in modern project execution. He stated that project delivery today requires real-time integration of data, engineering, and decision-making. Furthermore, he noted that platforms like PROTON SI reflect a broader shift toward connected and intelligent project ecosystems that enhance predictability, efficiency, and scalability. He added that the company focuses on industrialising innovation to deliver measurable impact on the ground.

Vision for the Future of Project Execution

Similarly, Mr. Aashutosh Aggarwal, CEO of Simon India Ltd., highlighted the role of data and intelligence in shaping the future. He explained that PROTON SI brings together visibility, predictive analytics, and execution control into a unified ecosystem. Consequently, it enables proactive, insight-led decision-making that improves efficiency, reduces risk, and supports large-scale project delivery.

Strengthening Intellectual Property and Innovation

Finally, the copyright registration formalizes Simon India’s intellectual property ownership of PROTON SI. In addition, it reinforces the company’s commitment to digital innovation as it continues to advance AI and data-driven systems. Ultimately, Simon India aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and scalability in project execution through such initiatives.

Clariant has launched its latest innovation, CATOFIN™ 1000, a next-generation catalyst designed for propane dehydrogenation (PDH) processes. The company has developed this new solution to enhance propylene production efficiency while improving overall plant performance.

Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity

CATOFIN 1000 builds on Clariant’s established catalyst technology and delivers higher selectivity and productivity. In addition, it extends catalyst life and improves operational stability. The catalyst also reduces the formation of tar precursors by up to 20 percent, which helps minimize fouling and supports smoother plant operations.

As a result, operators benefit from fewer interruptions, lower maintenance requirements, and improved process economics. This makes PDH operations more efficient and reliable over long production cycles.

Improved Operational Stability

Furthermore, CATOFIN 1000 strengthens long-term plant performance by reducing downtime and maintaining consistent output. It enables producers to achieve stable operations even under demanding industrial conditions.

Consequently, PDH plant operators can improve overall throughput while maintaining operational flexibility and reliability.

Integration with Digital Monitoring

Clariant also supports the catalyst with its CLARITY™ digital platform. This system provides real-time monitoring, advanced analytics, and performance visualization tools. In turn, customers can optimize catalyst usage and make better-informed operational decisions.

Industry Relevance and Impact

CATOFIN technology is already widely used in propane dehydrogenation units globally. With the introduction of CATOFIN 1000, Clariant further strengthens its position in the catalyst market by offering improved efficiency and sustainability benefits. As per Clariant press release, the new catalyst reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation in petrochemical process optimization and performance enhancement.

Syensqo has reinforced its collaboration with Avio by signing a new long-term agreement focused on advanced materials for space launch systems. This move highlights both companies’ commitment to supporting next-generation space missions and strengthening supply chain stability in the aerospace sector.

Focus on Advanced Space Materials

Under the new agreement, Syensqo will continue supplying high-performance materials designed for demanding space applications. These include ablative materials, resin transfer moulding (RTM) resins, and advanced adhesive systems.

Importantly, these materials play a critical role in components such as rocket motor nozzles, exit cones, and structural elements. Engineers specifically design them to withstand extreme thermal gradients and mechanical stress during launch operations. 

Supporting Vega-C and Future Missions

The partnership primarily supports Avio’s Vega-C launch vehicle programs and low Earth orbit (LEO) missions. These missions require materials that combine durability with lightweight performance to ensure efficiency and reliability.

Moreover, Syensqo’s materials meet strict dimensional and mechanical tolerances required for flight-critical hardware. As a result, manufacturers can maintain consistent performance even under harsh space conditions. 

Enhancing Reliability and Performance

This agreement allows aerospace manufacturers to integrate materials optimized for both structural integrity and thermal protection. Consequently, launch systems can achieve higher reliability while operating in extreme environments.

In addition, the collaboration ensures a stable supply of advanced composites and resins, which is essential for maintaining rigorous quality standards in space missions. 

Industry Growth Drives Collaboration

As global demand for space exploration continues to rise, companies are increasingly focusing on high-performance materials. Syensqo’s expertise in advanced composites positions it as a key partner in enabling efficient and reliable launch systems.

As per Syensqo press release, this long-term agreement reflects growing momentum in the space sector and reinforces the role of advanced materials in supporting a wide range of missions, from satellite deployment to deep-space exploration. 

Conclusion

Overall, the renewed partnership between Syensqo and Avio demonstrates a strategic effort to advance space technologies. By combining material innovation with aerospace expertise, both companies aim to meet the evolving demands of modern space missions while ensuring performance, safety, and efficiency.

BASF has announced the launch of three new world-scale production plants to strengthen its aroma ingredients portfolio. The company commissioned menthol and linalool facilities in Ludwigshafen, Germany, while also bringing a citral plant online in Zhanjiang, China. 

Strategic Investments Across Key Locations

The company invested a triple-digit million-euro amount in the Ludwigshafen facilities. At the same time, it aligned these new plants with its integrated Verbund production system to improve efficiency and leverage advanced technologies. Moreover, BASF designed the Zhanjiang citral plant to support both local demand and global supply chains. 

Strengthening Supply Chain and Market Reach

The citral plant in China will supply raw materials for downstream production, including menthol and linalool manufacturing in Germany. Consequently, BASF aims to enhance supply reliability and meet growing global demand for aroma ingredients. These ingredients play a crucial role in oral care, personal care, food flavoring, and pharmaceutical applications. 

Production Commences and Job Creation

BASF has already started commercial production of menthol and linalool in April 2026. In addition, the company has created around 60 new jobs at its Ludwigshafen site, further supporting regional economic growth. 

Integrated Approach Drives Efficiency

The company continues to rely on its Verbund system, which integrates production processes and infrastructure. As a result, BASF can optimize resource use, reduce waste, and improve overall operational efficiency across its global network. As per BASF press release, the company’s expansion reflects its commitment to scaling up production capabilities and meeting increasing demand in both local and international markets.