Knut Schwalenberg has been appointed Managing Director of Akzo Nobel Industrial Chemicals. Schwalenberg succeeds Werner Fuhrmann, who has been appointed to Akzo Nobel's new executive committee, with responsibility for Integrated Supply Chain.

Schwalenberg studied business economics at Essen University, Germany. He joined Akzo Nobel more than 25 years ago and has held a number of management functions in human resources, control and general management, including that of general manager of Akzo Nobel's Chlor-Alkali business.