Richard Northcote, chief sustainability officer at German engineering plastics producer Covestro (Leverkusen / Germany; www.covestro.com), has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 58. The well regarded and experienced executive enjoyed a good reputation in the international plastics industry and beyond, in particular as a visionary in the area of sustainable development.

Northcote began his career as a journalist and later served in several executive positions in corporate communications and government affairs in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. His first stint in the chemical industry was with the now defunct British conglomerate ICI. For much of his career, he worked closely with Patrick Thomas, chief executive of Covestro from 2007 to May 2017.

"We will all miss him more than words can express. He was not just our inspiring colleague, but our good friend as well," said Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann.