Firmenich appointed Emmanuel Butstraen as president of its Flavors Business Unit and member of the company’s executive committee, effective Oct. 15, 2018. Having served most recently as president of Novecare at Solvay, Butstraen joins Firmenich with significant experience in leading complex science-driven organizations and growth strategies across the United States, Europe and Asia. Emmanuel succeeds Chris Millington who chose to pursue new opportunities outside the company, after successfully leading the flavor business unit for four years, where he built a performance and innovation-driven culture to lead in taste and nutrition.

"I warmly welcome Emmanuel to my Executive Committee as President of Flavors," says Gilbert Ghostine, CEO, Firmenich. "He comes with an outstanding track record in executing complex business strategies globally and uniquely combines a broad understanding of the worlds of agriculture, innovation and consumer goods, with a deep commitment to sustainability. With his dynamic customer-driven approach, I am confident he will lead our Flavors business to its next level of excellence,” adds Ghostine. "In parallel, I would like to sincerely thank and wish much continued success to Chris Millington who served the Company remarkably throughout his tenure. In particular, he expanded our Flavors’ capabilities to lead in Naturals, Organics and Green Protein solutions, while overseeing three strategic acquisitions," concludes Ghostine.

"I am very excited to be joining Firmenich as President of Flavors. My focus will be to continuously strengthen the Group’s position as the innovation partner of choice in taste and nutrition," says Emmanuel Butstraen. "With Firmenich’s legacy of world-class research and leading business responsibly, I am proud to becoming part of its Executive Committee to shape the future of Flavors," he adds.

Butstraen most recently served at Solvay as president of its Novecare Global Business Unit (GBU) since 2011, a leader in specialty technologies for broad consumer applications, after successfully leading its Aroma Performance GBU, for almost two years. Prior to Solvay, he spent 17 years with BASF, where he took on roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in senior vice president strategy for the Agricultural Products division. At BASF Butstraen also led several businesses including Agricultural Products in France, as well as Feed-ingredients and Fine Chemicals. A French national, Emmanuel graduated as an Agricultural Engineer in 1989 and obtained a Masters’ degree in Business Administration in 1991, both from the University of Lille.