Jens Birgersson to become new CEO of Brenntag SE

The Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, appointed Jens Birgersson as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Management Board effective September 1, 2025. Birgersson most recently served as President and CEO of Rockwool Group, Denmark. Prior to that he has held various management positions in international market leading companies of different industries. He succeeds Dr Christian Kohlpaintner, who is stepping down from his position on August 31, 2025 (as announced in November 2024).

Jens Birgersson assumes his new role as CEO of Brenntag effective September 1, 2025.

Richard Ridinger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE: “With Jens Birgersson we have been able to appoint an internationally very experienced business leader as our new CEO. In combination with his operational excellence orientation, he brings all the skills needed to steer Brenntag’s further growth path and strategic development. He has demonstrated that he can deliver performance gains in challenging economic circumstances and drive complex transformation processes in global, market leading companies. His mission at Brenntag will be to further improve the company’s operational performance, execute its growth strategy and to continue Brenntag’s ambitious transformation as a key prerequisite for sustainable growth and long-term success.”

“I am honored by the trust the Supervisory Board has placed in me. As the global number one and a DAX 40 company, Brenntag enjoys a strong reputation, unique selling proposition and high visibility, both nationally and internationally. I am excited to lead this well-positioned and high-potential company into its next chapter. I look forward to the opportunity to join my colleagues on the Management Board and the entire Brenntag team in September,” Birgersson said.

Birgersson's appointment also marks the end of Dr Kohlpaintner’s almost six years tenure with Brenntag as its CEO.  Ridinger said: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Christian Kohlpaintner. His commitment and strong leadership have been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and success. Since the beginning of 2020, he has successfully led Brenntag through a period of considerable economic and geopolitical challenges. Despite this challenging environment, he has initiated and driven the biggest transformation in our company’s 150-year history, positioning Brenntag for future growth. With his outstanding contributions he has not only maintained but further expanded Brenntag’s leading position in the market worldwide. The Supervisory Board wishes him all the best for the future.”

Dr Kohlpaintner, CEO Brenntag SE, said: “After almost six rewarding years at the helm of Brenntag, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our exceptional employees, whose passion and expertise are the driving force behind every challenge we have mastered, behind every milestone we achieved together. I also want to thank the Supervisory Board and my colleagues at the Management Board for their trusting and constructive cooperation. Until I hand over to my successor, I will continue to focus on leading our people, safeguarding operational excellence and delivering on the promises we have made to our business partners and shareholders. Together with the leadership team, I will ensure a seamless transition that maintains our strategic and improvement momentum. I have full confidence that, under the leadership of Jens Birgersson, Brenntag will continue to thrive, and I look forward to the team’s future successes.”

Born in Sweden in 1967, Birgersson was educated both in Sweden and the US, and holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in physics engineering and economics. He has more than 20 years of management experience in listed, international market leading companies in different industries. His career started at ABB Group, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, where he worked for more than 20  in Switzerland, Sweden and South Africa. This includes the role as ABB Group’s Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Network Management. From 2005 to 2008 he was Executive Vice President and Head of Business Group Performance Minerals & Pigments of Imerys, Belgium, a globally leading provider of mineral-based specialties. Most recently, from 2015 to 2024, Birgersson served as President and CEO of Rockwool Group, Denmark, the world’s largest manufacturer of insulation materials and systems made from stone wool.