Christoph Balzarek

About

Senior executive with 20+ years of global leadership experience in the chemicals industry, spanning corporate strategy, M&A, innovation, R&D transformation, sustainability, and commercial leadership. I bring a unique blend of technical depth and commercial acumen, having managed businesses >€250M, led cross-border organizations in Europe and US, and delivered double-digit million € improvements through corporate strategy programs. Proven track record in: • Driving corporate transformation and organizational restructuring to improve efficiency and performance. • Leading global innovation and technology teams, delivering cost savings and >€10M new product sales. • Building and implementing climate neutrality roadmaps and embedding sustainability into business strategy. • Executing growth and investment strategies, including major capital projects and select M&A initiatives. Passionate about shaping strategy and driving innovation to secure sustainable growth.

Experience

• EVP Corporate Development, Sustainability & Innovation at OXEA
  Nov 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

  • Lead global strategy program leadUp!, delivering double-digit € million improvements across the company. • Drove organizational restructuring (20% FTE reduction) in corporate functions to align with strategy. • Built and lead climate neutrality program (reduce), embedding sustainability end-to-end across the whole business. • Oversight of Global R&D, IP Management, and Corporate PMO; leadership of select M&A projects.

• Vice President Innovation & Technology at OQ
  May 2020 - Nov 2021 · 1 yr 7 mos

• Oxea (Monheim am Rhein, Germany)
  • Vice President Innovation & Technology
    Oct 2017 - Apr 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos

    • Transformed global R&D team (Germany, US), delivering >€1M annual cost savings and >€10M new product sales. • Secured board approval for investment into new carboxylic acid unit.

  • Commercial Business Director (Carboxylic Acids & Esters / Amines & Aldehydes)
    Jun 2011 - Sep 2017 · 6 yrs 4 mos

    • Managed global portfolios up to €250M revenue, driving growth in Synthetic Fluids, Agro & Pharma, Paints & Coatings. • Developed and executed growth and portfolio strategies, including selected Asia market expansion. • Led global marketing teams, optimized product portfolio, and executed restructuring projects.

• Earlier Roles at Celanese, Oxea
  Sep 2002 - May 2011 · 8 yrs 9 mos

  • Regional Marketing Manager, Oxea GmbH | 2007–2010 • Project Manager New Business Development, Celanese | 2006–2007 • R&D Laboratory Leader, Celanese | 2002–2006