Elkem appoints new acting SVP for Silicones division

Oslo – Elkem SA has named Sandy Chen as acting senior vice president (SVP) for silicones division, to replace Larry Zhang who has accepted a new position at Chinese parent group Sinochem.

Both Chen and Zhang will step into their new roles with immediate effect, Elkem said in an 8 March announcement.

Chen was previously VP Asia Pacific region at Elkem’s Silicones division and has “long and extensive experience both within leadership and the silicones global business.”

She holds a polymer master’s degree from Beijing technology and business university.

“Elkem pursues a strategy of dual play growth and green leadership, and this will continue in the Silicones division under Sandy’s temporary leadership,” said CEO Helge Aasen.

Elkem’s silicones division is a “fully integrated” producer from silicon metal to upstream siloxanes and downstream silicone specialties.

The division has two large expansion projects in France and China which will be finalised this year.

These projects will improve the plants’ cost positions, mainly through lower energy and raw material consumption.

The new production line in China, according to Elkem, is expected to be “on level with the current lowest cost producers.”