LSI Launches as an Independent Global Specialty Chemicals Business

LSI  has launched as an independent business, following the completion of the carve out of Lonza Specialty Ingredients from Lonza Group. Marc Doyle has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of LSI, effective immediately.

LSI is now held by Herens HoldCo Ltd., an entity controlled by private equity firms Bain Capital and Cinven.

Commenting on the launch of LSI, Marc Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of LSI, said:
“This carve out is a transformational opportunity for LSI, enabling it to accelerate its growth strategy within the microbial control and specialty chemicals markets with the strong, long-term support of our new owners. As we continue to build on the solid foundations created by Lonza Group, independence will allow LSI to be a more responsive and agile business, developing unique, innovative solutions to help customers protect their products from microbial spoilage, improve health and safety and reduce their environmental footprints. We are also firmly committed to building and investing in LSI’s sustainability strategy, enabling the business to respond and adapt to long-term environmental and social changes that are having a significant impact on the industry.”

LSI has a strong track record of delivering continuous growth and profitability, providing a solid foundation for future growth as an independent business. LSI has a world-leading, talented global team of 2,900 experts driven by the business’s core values of performance, collaboration, passion, and care.

LSI is committed to long-term growth and is focused on strengthening the position of both the Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) and Specialty Products Solutions (SPS) businesses through strategic M&A opportunities and internal investment, particularly in innovation and its production assets. LSI serves its customers in end markets ranging from consumer-facing markets including health, hygiene and home and personal care, to industrial markets including paints and coatings, advanced composites, electronics and wood treatment. LSI is focused on expanding its geographic footprint and the scale and depth of its capabilities, with the ultimate vision of building a world-leading specialty chemicals business.

Marc Doyle is a highly experienced industry executive, having spent more than 25 years at DuPont, including as Chief Executive Officer of DuPont de Nemours Inc., and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of DowDuPont. Alongside Marc on the leadership team, Frank Stahl will continue to lead the MCS business and Antje Gerber the SPS business. Both Frank and Antje have more than 20 years’ experience in the specialty chemicals industry, having held various leadership positions at large international companies.

The LSI board will comprise four directors from Bain Capital: David Danon, Youssef Salha, Michael Siefke and Stephen Thomas; four directors from Cinven: Anthony Cardona, Pontus Pettersson, Bruno Schick and Tom Thomasson; and Antonio Trius, who has been appointed as an independent director. Antonio is a trained chemist bringing circa 40 years’ industry experience to the Board. Antonio was previously CEO of Cognis GmbH and has held board positions at several companies including Lonza Group Ltd.

The world-class production facility in Visp, Switzerland remains central to LSI’s operations, and LSI will continue to invest in the site to enhance its technical capabilities and expand its portfolio of high-quality specialty chemicals. LSI will share the Visp site with Lonza to continue its close collaboration with the provision and the receipt of various complementary services and products.

LSI intends to re-brand in the coming months to reflect its position as a new, independent business.