Industry veteran Lars Börger has been appointed to the role of co-CEO at the German research centre, nova-Institute, effective 1 March 2025.
He will share the leadership role with the incumbent CEO and founder of the Institute, Michael Carus, a move that aims to leverage the combined strengths of both to drive forward sustainable change in the chemical and materials industry.
Lars brings valuable experience and insights into the perspectives of brands on renewable carbon and defossilisation to the position. He worked for BASF (Germany) for almost 20 years, many of them as Head of Global Marketing Biopolymers. For another seven years he worked for Neste (Finland) as Vice President Renewable Polymers & Chemicals, Brand Owner and in the Value Chain Management. He represented Neste in the founding process of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) and served as a member of the RCI Board, as well as a board member of European Bioplastics for several years. As such he has the skills and credentials to strengthen nova-Institute’s position in the market and to address the challenges looming ahead.
nova-Institute has been pushing the transition away from fossil resources in the chemicals, plastics and other materials industries for 30 years through its consultancy work and the many scientific reports and publications it produces. Their research shows that alternatives based on biomass, CO2 use and recycling are well developed, proven and ready for scale-up and implementation. But it is now time for the next step: How to design an appropriate policy framework that allows companies to transform sustainably and to remain competitive? What role can brand owners play in driving demand for new solutions?
"In these challenging and dynamic times," said Carus, "I am very happy that Lars Börger, with his profound expertise and network in renewable carbon, will strengthen nova's leadership as new Co-CEO.
Calling nova-Institute the leading think tank for the circular economy, with great impact on industry transformation, Börger confirmed he was looking forward to ‘joining the great team of dedicated professionals at nova-Institute and helping to shape a more sustainable future.’
“Accelerating this transformation is now more important than ever, as the challenges facing the chemical and materials sector continue growing,” he said.
The leadership team - COO Linda Engel, co-CEOs Börger and Carus - will steer nova-Institute’s course for the future.
“Throughout its 30 years in business, nova-Institute has always been at the forefront of its field. Our mission is to support companies as a science-based consultancy and to open up new pathways for a sustainable future for the chemical industry. With Lars, we are confident that we will continue to live up to this goal. We have known him for many years as a driving force in the industry and look forward to working with him,” concluded Linda Engel.