Swiss chemicals producer Clariant has made several new senior management appointments, including new heads at its Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals and Pigments & Additives divisions.

Philippe Royer has been named as the new leader of the company’s Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals division, effective July 1, whilst Okke Koo will lead the Pigments & Additives division as of August 1.

A French national Mr Royer joins Clariant from the global aluminium group Alcoa, whilst Mr Koo, a Dutch national, was until recently the chief executive of Avebe, a Netherlands-based starch manufacturer.

They will replace the current head of the Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals Division, Peter Piringer, and the current head of the Pigments & Additives Division, Uwe Nickel, who are leaving the company.

Meanwhile, the head of the company’s Group Technology, Hartmut Wiezer, will retire at the end of the year.