Cefic appoints BASF CEO Markus Kamieth as next president

Brussels – European chemical industry assocation (Cefic) has appointed BASF chief executive Markus Kamieth as its next president, effective 1 Jan 2026.

Kamieth will also assume the role of chair of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) from the same date, succeeding Ilham Kadri, chief executive of Syensqo, who is concluding her tenure in both positions.

Cefic said Kamieth was appointed by its board in his capacity as BASF CEO and will lead the organisation during "one of the most challenging times our European chemical industry has ever faced." 

Cefic director general Marco Mensink paid tribute to Kadri’s presidency, describing her leadership as “transformative” for the sector’s positioning in European industrial policy debates.

“She united the chemical industry, raised our voice as the mother of all industries, and marked our identification as a strategic sector for Europe,” Mensink said, adding that she helped place competitiveness back at the centre of EU political discussions.

Kadri, has been asked to continue supporting Cefic by organising and moderating the next Antwerp Industry Summit, expected to take place in February 2026.