Dr Christian Kohlpaintner, Chief Executive Officer of Brenntag SE, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, has informed the Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE of his decision not to extend his contract, which runs until December 31, 2025, for personal reasons. The manager, who will be 62 years old at the end of his term of office at Brenntag, has decided not to seek any further operational management responsibilities after that date. Until the end of 2025, Christian Kohlpaintner will continue to serve Brenntag SE with full commitment as CEO and ensure the smooth transition of his responsibilities to a successor.

“Over the past five years, we have initiated the biggest transformation in our company’s 150-year history to position Brenntag for future growth. We have successfully completed the first step of the transformation and, with our two divisions, consistently aligned Brenntag with the changing and differentiated needs of our customers and suppliers. I am proud to have successfully shaped this development, which is crucial to Brenntag’s long-term success, together with my colleagues on the Board of Management and the entire Brenntag team,” explained Kohlpaintner. “The decision was not an easy one for me. We have a lot of work ahead of us in the coming year, and I will continue to work on these tasks with full commitment until the end of my contract term. Our priorities are to improve the company’s operational performance and to execute our growth strategy. At the same time, we will continue to push ahead with our ambitious transformation program as a key prerequisite for Brenntag’s sustainable success,” Kohlpaintner added.

Kohlpaintner has informed the Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE at an early stage of his decision, which will immediately initiate an orderly process for succession to the position of CEO.

“The Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE has noted with regret Christian Kohlpaintner’s decision not to seek a contract extension but respects his decision. The Supervisory Board thus has clarity for the succession process and corporate governance in the coming financial year. Further improving the company’s performance, profitability and efficiency remains the top priority of the Board of Management under the confident and forceful leadership of Christian Kohlpaintner,” comments Richard Ridinger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE.

Kohlpaintner has been CEO and a member of the Board of Management of Brenntag SE since January 1, 2020.