New Chair and Vice-Chair appointed to CIAC Board of Directors

OTTAWA, Oct. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) welcomes Marcelo Lu, President of BASF Canada, as Chair of the Board of Directors for 2018-2019 and Ed Bechberger, President for ERCO Worldwide, as Vice-Chair.

"I am honoured to serve as Chair of the CIAC, a diverse association of innovators, solution providers, and stewardship pioneers, working together to present a strong voice for our country's chemistry sector. For me, this is a unique opportunity to connect the private and public sectors and leverage the chemistry industry's commitment to drive sustainability in Canada," said Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu follows outgoing Chair, Pierre Ducharme of Olin Canada ULC.

"CIAC is very pleased to welcome our new Chair and Vice-Chair. Marcelo and Ed's deep knowledge of the industry will be key in realizing the association's strategic objectives in the year ahead. We will continue to have a strong, dedicated Board and Executive Committee to guide the business of the association," said Bob Masterson, President and CEO of CIAC. "I would also like to thank outgoing Chair Pierre Ducharme for his vital contribution."

Additionally, CIAC welcomes David Chappell of Inter Pipeline to its Board of Directors.

View the full list of CIAC Board of Directors here.

Marcelo Lu

President, BASF Canada
Chair, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

Mr. Lu was appointed President of BASF Canada in early 2016 and since then, has chaired BASF Canada's Executive Committee and Leadership Team. He is responsible for implementing regional and global strategies, working across the organization to bring BASF's corporate purpose "We create chemistry for a sustainable future" to life. Previous to his appointment as Chair of CIAC, he served as Vice-Chair, championing BASF's commitment to Responsible Care® in all aspects of the company's business, including operations, product stewardship and environmental, health and safety performance.

Prior to moving to Canada, Mr. Lu was Vice-President, Business Management Polyamides and Precursors, for BASF in Asia Pacific. Throughout his career he has worked towards integrating sustainability into business strategies and procurement practices while holding various positions within BASF Group. Prior to joining BASF, Mr. Lu held several consulting positions at International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector development arm of the World Bank, in Washington, DC.

Ed Bechberger

President, ERCO Worldwide
Vice-chair, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

Mr. Bechberger was appointed President of ERCO Worldwide in 2015. Previously, as Vice-President for Operations, he was responsible for all aspects of ERCO's operations and strategy development. Since 1980, he has held various progressive positions at ERCO, including Senior Vice-President Sales and Operations, Vice-President and General Manager for Chloralkali Business, Vice-President Business Development and numerous manager and technical roles. Mr. Bechberger has commissioned over 30 chlorine dioxide plants around the world.

---

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) is the Association for leaders in the chemistry sector in Canada; a $53 billion industry. The Association represents more than 50 members and partners across the country. Members of CIAC are signatories to Responsible Care^®– the Association's UN-recognized sustainability initiative.

SOURCE Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

Julie Fortier, Manager, Communications, [email protected], 613-237-6215 ext. 252, C: 613-804-3467