Lars Börger appointed as nova-Institute co-CEO

Lars Börger, Ph.D., has been appointed the new co-CEO of nova-Institute. Börger will serve as co-CEO alongside nova-Institute’s current CEO, Michael Carus. He officially started his role on March 1.

nova-Institute has been driving the transition away from fossil resources in the chemicals, plastics and other materials industries for 30 years. Through research and consultancy services for companies, NGOs and policymakers, the institute has produced numerous studies, reports and graphics on renewable carbon and de-fossilization.

“In these challenging and dynamic times,” says Carus, founder and co-CEO of nova-Institute, “I am very happy that Lars Börger, with his profound expertise and network in renewable carbon, will strengthen nova’s leadership as new co-CEO. I am looking forward to a successful cooperation for the sake of a sustainable transformation.”

Börger holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and an Executive Master in general management. He worked for BASF in Germany for almost 20 years, many of them as head of global marketing biopolymers. For another seven years, he worked for Neste in Finland as vice president of renewable polymers and chemicals, as a brand owner and worked in value chain management. He represented Neste in the founding process of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) and was a member of the RCI Board, as well as a board member of European Bioplastics for several years.

“nova-Institute is the leading think tank for the circular economy with great impact on industry transformation. Accelerating this transformation is now more important than ever, as the challenges facing the chemical and materials sector continue growing. I look forward to joining the great team of dedicated professionals at nova-Institute and helping to shape a more sustainable future,” says Börger.

In shared leadership with COO Linda Engel, the two CEOs will support companies, associations and policymakers with research and consultancy in the fields of technology and markets, sustainability, economy and policy, and communications.

“Throughout its 30 years in business, nova-Institute has always been at the forefront of its field. Our mission is to support companies as a science-based consultancy and to open up new pathways for a sustainable future for the chemical industry. With Lars, we are confident that we will continue to live up to this goal. We have known him for many years as a driving force in the industry and look forward to working with him,” says Engel, COO, nova-Institute.