— By Plasteurope.com staff — 

The new CEO of Celanese (Irving, Texas, USA; www.celanese.com), Scott Richardson, is making changes to the leadership team by reinstating Todd Elliott on the management board. According to the company, Elliott will lead the firm’s key engineering thermoplastics business unit, effective 3 February 2025, replacing Tom Kelly, whose recent tenure has been less than successful.

This strategic appointment comes amid speculation that Richardson may be attempting to divert attention away from the weak financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024, published on 29 January. Following a poor third quarter, former CEO Lori Ryerkerk had already been forced to suspend dividends and temporarily shut down several plants.

Related: Bjørn Thorsen to distribute thermoplastic elastomers for Celanese

Elliott brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before retiring in 2020, he served as the head of Celanese’s acetyl business and was previously the global sales manager for compounds, a trajectory that closely mirrors Richardson’s own career path. During his time at Celanese, Elliott also led the company’s European regional unit. Since leaving Celanese, he has worked as an independent consultant for the chemical and polymer industry.