BASF CEO to Become Next CEFIC President
Markus Kamieth, CEO of BASF, has been appointed the new President of the European Chemical Industry Council CEFIC, effective January 1, 2026.
Markus Kamieth has been appointed by the CEFIC Board as Board Member and President of CEFIC, effective January 1, 2026, alongside his role as CEO of BASF. On the same date, Kamieth will also become Chair of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA).
With the conclusion of Syensqo-CEO Ilham Kadri's term as President of CEFIC and Chair of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), CEFIC acknowledges her outstanding contributions. Her presidency represented a significant era in recent industrial policy, fundamentally shaping perspectives on competitiveness and industry requirements across Europe.
Marco Mensink, Director General of CEFIC, stated: Ilham Kadri’s leadership was transformative. "She unified the chemical sector, amplified its influence, and reinforced its strategic importance within Europe. Under her guidance, competitiveness became central to political discourse at the highest levels of the EU."
Kamieth is set to assume leadership during a particularly complex and demanding period for the European chemical industry. Mensink said: CEFIC is honored to welcome such an esteemed industry leader to the presidency. We look forward to collaborating closely with Markus Kamieth, his team, and the CEFIC Board, as the industry navigates one of its most challenging periods.
In an article for "Politico" Mensink explained: "Europe’s chemical industry has reached a breaking point. The warning lights are no longer blinking — they are blazing. Unless Europe changes course immediately, we risk watching an entire industrial backbone, with the countless jobs it supports, slowly hollow out before our eyes."
On his LinkedIn page, Kamieth acknowledges and accepts the challenge by writing: "I’m honored to step into this important role during tough times for our industry! I firmly believe: chemistry has a future – and that future includes Europe. Now more than ever, collaboration between industry and policymakers is key to restoring competitiveness and driving the green transformation. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. It’s about moving fast together to implement pragmatic solutions to tackle today’s challenges."
