Kuraray Executive and Leadership Team

Hidemasa Oda, the President at Kuraray, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the global specialty chemical enterprise. Overseeing the alignment of business units with the core mission of sustainable innovation, the President ensures that the organization maintains its leadership position in polymer science and advanced materials. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to drive growth initiatives and manage the complex regulatory landscape of the chemical industry. By fostering a culture of research and development, Hidemasa Oda directly impacts the company's ability to address environmental challenges through high-performance product development. Furthermore, Oda manages the expansion of market presence across diverse global regions, ensuring that the corporate philosophy remains consistent with the needs of people and the planet. Through strategic oversight, the President secures the financial health and operational excellence of the entire organization.

Stevan Schott, the Executive Officer, General Manager of Environmental Solutions Division and Calgon Carbon Corporation President at Kuraray, directs the strategic development of water purification and environmental remediation technologies. Overseeing the operations of the Environmental Solutions Division, the Executive Officer ensures that the company provides critical filtration solutions to industries facing stringent environmental regulations. This leadership role involves managing the integration of Calgon Carbon Corporation into the broader corporate portfolio to maximize synergy in the global market. By scaling production capabilities for activated carbon and advanced filtration media, Stevan Schott directly impacts the company's ability to solve complex environmental challenges. Furthermore, Schott manages the expansion of these solutions into emerging markets, driving growth through sustainable innovation. Through the leadership of the Environmental Solutions Division, the Executive Officer maintains the company's reputation as a provider of essential, high-impact chemical solutions.

Kazushige Sakamoto, the Managing Executive Officer, President, Fibers and Textiles Company, Responsible for Osaka Office at Kuraray, directs the manufacturing and commercial strategy for the synthetic fiber and textile business segments. Overseeing the development of high-performance materials, the Managing Executive Officer ensures that the Fibers and Textiles Company meets the evolving demands of the automotive, apparel, and industrial sectors. This leadership role involves managing the operational output of the Osaka Office to maintain high standards of quality and efficiency. By optimizing production processes for specialized polymers, Kazushige Sakamoto directly impacts the company's market share in the advanced materials space. Furthermore, Sakamoto manages the alignment of textile innovation with the corporate sustainability goals, ensuring that product lifecycles minimize environmental impact. Through the leadership of the Fibers and Textiles Company, the Managing Executive Officer drives the commercial success of the organization's core material science portfolio.

John Siepelinga, the Global Chief Information Officer at Kuraray, directs the digital transformation strategy across all international business units. Overseeing the integration of advanced data analytics and cybersecurity frameworks, the Global Chief Information Officer ensures that technological infrastructure supports the complex manufacturing requirements of the specialty chemical sector. This leadership role involves aligning IT investments with the broader corporate mission to optimize operational efficiency and data security. By modernizing enterprise resource planning systems, John Siepelinga directly impacts the agility of the global supply chain. Furthermore, Siepelinga manages cross-functional teams to implement cloud-based solutions that facilitate seamless communication between regional offices. Through the deployment of robust digital tools, the Global Chief Information Officer maintains the competitive edge of the organization in a rapidly evolving market, ensuring that technological capabilities remain at the forefront of the industry.