Clermont-Ferrand, France, 24 January 2008 – METabolic Explorer (Eurolist B: METEX), an industrial biotechnology company focused on the bio-production of bulk chemicals (“Green Chemistry”), announces the appointment of Mr Hans Vogelsang as Strategic Advisor.
Mr Vogelsang (65) has enjoyed a highly successful career over the past 39 years in executive and non-executive roles within the oil/gas/petrochemicals, industrial engineering and support services industries. He has a strong track record in global management, business, marketing, manufacturing and technology, particularly in situations of change: start-up, fast growth, transition and turnaround.
During his career, Mr Vogelsang has held the positions of President of Technology at Basell Polyolefins, formerly a joint venture between BASF and Shell (2001 to 2002), President of Montell Polyolefins Europe, which merged into Basell Poyolefins (1999 to 2001), Senior Vice-President Shell Chemicals Europe and Africa (1994 to 1999) and Chief Executive of the Shell Companies in Sweden (1992 to 1994). He joined Shell Chemicals, part of Royal Dutch Shell plc (LSE: RDS) in 1968.
Mr Vogelsang is currently a Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of Bodycote International plc (LSE: BOY). Between 2003-2006, he was also an adviser to British Sugar, part of Associated British Foods plc (LSE: ABF)
Benjamin Gonzalez, CEO of METabolic EXplorer said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to attract someone of Hans’ calibre and exceptional credentials to advise METabolic EXplorer at a strategic level. The Board and management are confident that the Company can benefit hugely from his wealth of industry experience and international contacts and this will be of great value in the execution of our collaborative driven business strategy. “
Mr Vogelsang said: “METabolic EXplorer is an exciting and innovative company, and is at the forefront of developing sustainable, economically and environmentally attractive bioprocesses for the production of a number of the world’s important industrial chemicals. With the strong foundations already laid by the Company and the status of its partnering discussions, I am confident that the Metabolic Explorer business strategy is the right one. I am very happy to work with METabolic EXplorer’s management team and look forward to making an important contribution to its future growth and development.”
About METabolic EXplorer www.metabolic-explorer.com
METabolic EXplorer (Eurolist B: METEX) is a leading industrial biotechnology company focused on the production of bulk chemicals (“Green Chemistry”). The company’s mission is to transform the chemical industry’s value chain by bringing to market more economically and environmentally attractive production processes.
METabolic EXplorer has developed a range of proprietary technologies which allow it to build highly efficient bacteria designed to produce existing bulk chemicals from a wide range of renewable feedstocks. This approach based on fermentation methods provide sustainable solutions to the chemical industry, offering significant economic benefits and are more environmental friendly than the current oil-dependent chemical processes.
METabolic EXplorer has developed cell factories for five important bulk chemicals which together have current sales of approximately $11 billion. These products have applications in fibres, biodegradable plastics, paints, solvents and second generation biofuels. The company’s strategy to capture a significant element of major economic benefits that its novel technologies deliver is to use a collaborative business model to allow it produce and market its bulk bio-chemicals.
METabolic EXplorer was created in 1999 and is based in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
For further information, please contact: METabolic EXplorer Paul Michalet, Chief Financial Officer Email: infofin@metabolic-explorer.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 7333 4300
Citigate Dewe Rogerson David Dible or Sylvie Berrebi Tel : +44 (0)207 638 9571 Email : sylvie.berrebi@citigatedr.co.uk
