Emerald Kalama Chemical, part of Emerald Performance Materials (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / USA; www.emeraldmaterials.com), has appointed Scott Neuheardt as vice president and general manager of its “K-Flex” line of low-VOC, non-phthalate plasticisers and coalescents. Neuheardt will oversee all efforts to optimise and expand the business on a global scale as well as identify new growth markets and opportunities.

Neuheardt previously served as president and COO at Sekisui Speciality Chemicals. His career also included stints at Celanese and GE Plastics. Commenting on the appointment, Emerald Kalama Chemical CEO Edward Gotch said the group plans to double in size by 2026, adding that Neuheardt will help take the business into the “next era of growth.”