Hariolf Kottmann Ph.D

Hariolf Kottmann Ph.D General Information

Biography

Dr. Hariolf Kottmann served as Chief Executive Officer & Executive Chairman at Clariant (Multi-line Chemicals). He served as Operating Partner at Advent International. He brings a unique wealth of management and industry expertise to his new role and will be a key advisor in helping Advent source, enhance and further successfully grow its investments in the global chemicals and materials sector. He resumed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) responsibilities in July 2019 on an ad interim basis, having served as CEO from 2008 to 2018. He initially became CEO at the beginning of the financial crisis and reshaped the business operations and organizational structure, turning Clariant into a reliant and successful industry player. In addition to working closely with Advent's Chemicals and Materials team to identify and evaluate new investment opportunities, he is also serving on Röhm's board of directors. He obtained a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Stuttgart, beginning his career in 1985 at the former Hoechst AG. He held various executive positions during his tenure at the company, most notably as Head of Inorganic Chemicals. In 1998, he became a member of the Executive Committee of Celanese Corp, where he lead the Organic Chemicals Business Unit. From 2001 to 2008, he sat on the Board of directors at SGL Carbon AG and was responsible for Graphite Specialties, Advanced Materials, and Corrosion Protection. In addition, he oversaw the Eastern Europe and Asia regions and also led corporate functions such as SGL Technology and Innovation.