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Nitrogen+Syngas 381 Jan-Feb 2023

31 January 2023

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The International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) has appointed Henk van Duijn as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as of January 1st 2023. Van Duijn brings more than 30 years of experience in agriculture and international development, with a focus on Europe, Africa, and Asia. Prior to his selection as IFDC President and CEO, van Duijn served as Vice President, Corporate Services, and Chief Operations and Finance Officer at IFDC. Before that, he headed the 2SCALE program (2019-2021) and served as CEO of Bopinc (2014-2019). As a diplomat and civil service director in the Netherlands, van Duijn led the design, startup, and implementation of large-scale interdisciplinary programs as well as national and international public-private partnerships in Europe, Africa, and Asia. He holds a master’s degree in Land and Water Management from Wageningen University & Research.

Outgoing IFDC President and CEO Albin Hubscher will retire after four years of leading the organisation to a renewed commitment to soil health. He was instrumental in formulating IFDC’s plan to develop a global innovation centre that will design and scale next-generation soil health and plant nutrition innovations. Hubscher praised his successor, saying, “Henk’s reputation for leading organizations to achieve great things precedes him in this appointment. I am confident that he will continue to build IFDC’s momentum as a thought leader in soil health and fertilizer technology, for which he has already been a prime force.”

Henk van Duijn is now President and CEO of the International Fertilizer Development Centre.

The AFA board of directors has unanimously approved the appointment of Saad Abou El Maaty as AFA Secretary General. El Maaty has a experience in managing, executing, and rehabilitating a several of major entities in the petroleum and fertilizer sectors, most recently as a Chairman & CEO of Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemical Industries Co. He has also served on various regional and international bodies as, variously; AFA chairman, IFA board me mber and IFA ambassador representing Egyptian fertilizer producers, as well as being a member of the board of governors for the Arab Water Council, and serving on the Board of Directors for several companies.

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BP has announced a number of changes to its leadership as part of a restructuring exercise instigated by new CEO Meg O’Neill. From 1st July 2026, the company will be organised around two distinct business segments – Upstream and Downstream – replacing the previous three-segment structure. Gordon Birrell has been appointed executive vice president, Upstream; and Richard Harding will be interim executive vice president, Downstream. Both bring decades of operational experience and leadership to their roles. A recruitment process is underway to appoint a permanent EVP Downstream.

Gouda Refractories Group acquires Revestimientos Refractarios

Gouda Refractories Group has acquired Revestimientos Refractarios (RR), based in Madrid. Founded in 1979, RR specialises in the installation of refractory materials, serving customers across a wide range of industries, including petrochemicals, (waste to) energy, cement, and other industrial sectors. It is a trusted partner for the installation of refractory materials, hexmesh, anchoring, engineering, technical assistance, project management, inspections and supervision for shutdowns and turnarounds across the European Union. The company has a long history of cooperation with Gouda Refractories, which has intensified in recent years and which, due to a natural moment of succession, has led to this acquisition.

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Engro Fertilizers Ltd has appointed Imran Ahmed as its new CEO, following approval by the company’s board of directors. He succeeds former CEO Ali Rathore. He achieved record urea production and better operational performance during his tenure, despite gas supply constraints, inflationary pressures and agriculture sector challenges. Engro is one of Pakistan’s leading fertilizer manufacturers, operating major production plants in Daharki and Port Qasim. It is widely recognised domestically for its flagship Zarkhez and Zingro fertilizer brands.