Effective 1 June 2007 Ron Birnbaum has been appointed head of the Americas Region at Degussa’s High Performance Polymers Business Unit, responsible for business in North and South America.

Dow Corning has named Mark Maxwell global marketing director for its Engineered Elastomers business.

James L. Dowey has been named Vice President and Managing Director of Smithers Rapra Technology (formerly Rapra Technology). He replaces Hugh D. Pace who has left the company to become chairman and CEO of Pirelli Tire North America, effective 4 June.

Stephan G. Braig, 46, is new CEO of Engel North America.

Roger Johansson, 41, has been appointed the new Business Area President of Trelleborg Automotive within the Trelleborg Group.

Sandra Beach Lin was named President of Ticona and Executive Vice President of Celanese.

Effective 1 July 2007, Björn Hedlund, 54, assumes the role of global marketing director at DuPont Engineering Polymers in addition to his position as regional director Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) for this business.

Malvern Instruments has made two new appointments to its rheology applications sales and support team in Europe, reflecting the company’s growing sales in Europe and continued commitment to excellent support for the rheology market.

Chemtura Corporation has appointed new Vice President, Global Consumer Industry.

Gary Benninger, chief operating officer of Amerityre Corporation, will serve as president of the company effective immediately and also assume the title of CEO on 1 September.