Emery Oleochemicals appoints Kana Global CEO

Emery Oleochemicals today announced that its board of directors has named Ramesh Kana as the company’s new group chief executive officer (GCEO) effective immediately. Kana succeeds Kongkrapan Intarajang, who has taken a new role with PTT Global Chemicals, but will remain a member of the board of directors.

“Ramesh’s deep understanding and experience of the company’s business, culture, people, partners and industry makes him the right leader to drive Emery Oleochemicals’ strategy and growth moving forward,” said Emery’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Datuk Franki Anthony Dass.

Since joining Emery Oleochemicals in 2009 as senior vice president and group chief financial officer, Ramesh has led and managed Emery Oleochemicals’ transition from a pre-dominantly commodity chemical player to a natural-based specialty chemical producer. He was named senior vice president, global chief finance & strategy officer and regional managing director – Asia Pacific in May 2014.

“I’m honoured to have this opportunity to lead Emery Oleochemicals through its next chapter as a leading sustainable specialty chemical player,” Kana said. “I look forward to working closely with all employees, partners, regulators and customers, capitalising on recent efforts, our sustainable portfolio and leveraging 175 years of heritage and expertise under the Emery brand.”

Over the past five years, Emery Oleochemicals made significant investments in research and development and operations, successfully launching five specialty chemicals business platforms: Agro Green, Bio-Lubricants, Eco-Friendly Polyols, Green Polymer Additives, Home & Personal Wellness, in addition to its mainstay OleoBasics business.

As a result, Emery Oleochemicals diversified its customer portfolio to serve a wider range of industries across the globe and is well positioned to capture a higher growth margin demand.

Emery is a leading producer of natural-based chemicals, made predominantly from natural oils and fats such as plant-based oil and tallow, based in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. With revenues of USD1billion (2013), the has manufacturing plants spanning three continents – Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe – and an extensive distribution network covering more than 50 countries worldwide.