MONHEIM AM RHEIN, Germany — At this year’s General Assembly of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), Dr. Salim Al Huthaili, CEO of the chemical company Oxea, was elected as a new member of the board. He brings diversity and a wealth of experience in the chemicals industry to Cefic. Before becoming CEO of Oxea, Al Huthaili held various leading roles with the Oman Oil Co. and with Royal Dutch Shell in the Middle East.

Based in Brussels, Belgium, Cefic is the European trade association of the chemical industry across Europe. It represents 29,000 companies that together produce about a fifth of the world’s chemicals and employ around 1.2 million people. The Cefic Board and Executive Committee are in charge of Cefic’s governance and strategy.

 “I am grateful for the trust that the Cefic members have placed in me, and I am looking forward to working with great people from the chemical industry,” said Al Huthaili. “We are going through critical developments in shaping our future, and the European chemical industry plays a major role in helping shape that future. Cefic has a strong voice in our industry and is recognized as a constructive stakeholder in Brussels. I will contribute to promoting the vital role of Cefic in a balanced regulatory framework approach for our sector. Cefic will continue to lead and influence other regions to promote sustainability and value creation through chemicals,” he continued.

“Oxea remains committed to supporting the broader industry efforts for more sustainability and increased competitiveness. With the election of Dr. Al Huthaili, Oxea steps up its engagement even more and increases its contribution towards reaching those goals,” said Lars Eric Johansson, Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Oxea. For many years now, Johansson has been taking an active part in Cefic’s activities. He is a long-time Chairman of the sector group Formacare as well as Chairman of the cluster group Specialty Chemicals, which, within Cefic, represents over 50 sectors of the European fine and consumer chemicals industry.