Umicore names new CEO

The supervisory board of Belgium-based metals and e-scrap recycler Umicore has appointed Mathias Miedreich to succeed Marc Grynberg as CEO of the firm. Grynberg and Miedreich will work together to into the fourth quarter of this year to “ensure an optimal onboarding of Mathias and a smooth transition of leadership,” the company says.

Miedreich currently is a member of the executive committee of Faurecia, a France-based automotive supplier that focuses in part on hydrogen fuel technology.

“We had set the bar very high to find a worthy successor for Marc and we are convinced that Mathias has what it takes to successfully lead Umicore in the next phase of its development,” says Thomas Leysen, chairman of Umicore’s supervisory board. “His vast international experience gained at leading  international corporations, his profound knowledge of the automotive industry, as well as his strong customer, people and technology focus provide the right mix as the company continues to develop.” 

Grynberg comments, “I am pleased that Mathias has been chosen as my successor. He brings a strong combination of professional and interpersonal skills to write the next chapter of Umicore’s success story together with the management board and all Umicore employees.” 

“The tremendous track record of the company, that has transformed itself towards being one of the leading players in the clean mobility and recycling arenas, is outstanding and unmatched in the industry,” says Miedreich. “With its enormous potential forward, I am honored the supervisory board has selected me to lead Umicore into the next phase of sustainable growth and technological leadership.”

Umicore’s recycling business unit operates a large facility in Hoboken, Belgium, that involves refining, leaching and electrowinning processes. The company’s operations recover several different types of metal—including copper, nickel, zinc and precious metals—from discarded batteries, circuit boards, smartphones and certain grades of scrap metal.