US speciality chemicals producer Albemarle (Baton Rouge, Louisiana; www.albemarle.com) is to realign its global business as part of its commitment to sustainable growth. The new structure will come in to place on 1 January 2014 and is designed to increase customer focus, enhance innovation and accelerate growth.

The company will be re-organised in two global business units (GBUs). The catalyst solutions GBU will include refinery catalyst solutions, performance catalyst solutions and antioxidants, while the performance chemicals GBU will embrace fire safety solutions, speciality chemicals and fine chemistry services, consolidating the company’s bromine, mineral and custom manufacturing assets in one unit. Both GBUs will have dedicated teams for sales, R&D, process engineering, manufacturing and sourcing. The new structure will also facilitate the continued standardisation of business processes across the organisation, Albemarle said.

Michael Wilson will serve as president of catalyst solutions and Matt Juneau will become president of performance chemicals. Both will serve as senior vice presidents of Albemarle Corporation. Ronald Zumstein will become senior vice president, manufacturing, supply chain and process excellence.

Luke Kissam, Albemarle CEO, said that the realignment “reflects our commitment to grow in a sustainable manner through increased focus on our bromine and catalyst franchises. The new structure will enable us to more rapidly develop and commercialise new applications for bromine, protect and grow our flame retardants business and more aggressively expand our catalyst business into new markets”.