BYK appoints Dr. Michael Schmidt as global Chief Technology Officer
BYK has appointed Dr. Michael Schmidt as its new global Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Global Head of Research and Development, the global specialty chemicals company has announced.
As BYK's new CTO, Dr. Michael Schmidt brings with him an impressive international career in Asia and extensive experience in research and development, production and engineering as well as in various commercial functions. After completing his PhD in polymer science, Dr. Michael Schmidt started his professional career at Bayer AG in 2001. In 2021, he was awarded an advisory professorship at Donghua University in Shanghai, China. After holding various management positions in Germany and abroad, he joined Covestro in 2023 as Global Head of Innovation for the Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Business Unit. "We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Schmidt to our management team," says Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch, Division President of BYK. "His extensive international experience and deep understanding of global markets, innovative research and sustainable development as well as digitalization make him the ideal candidate for this key position. We are convinced that he will make a significant contribution to driving forward our innovation strategy and further expanding our market position."
In his new role, Dr. Michael Schmidt will lead global research and development activities, working closely with all BYK business units and external innovative eco-systems to develop differentiating and value-adding additive solutions. In particular, his focus will be on driving sustainable product and process innovation, digital transformation in research and development and the translation of regulatory requirements into innovative products. "I am very much looking forward to my new role and working with the outstanding teams in Germany and abroad," says Dr. Michael Schmidt. "Together, we will work to further strengthen BYK's global innovative power and develop forward-looking solutions for the challenges of tomorrow." With the appointment of Dr. Michael Schmidt, BYK is sending a clear signal for the future and underlining its commitment to innovation, internationality and sustainable development.