Christian Kohlpaintner

Dr. Christian Kohlpaintner is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board of Brenntag SE, the world's market leader in chemical and ingredient distribution. Since assuming leadership in January 2020, Dr. Kohlpaintner has initiated the biggest transformation in Brenntag's 150-year history, positioning the company for future growth through his comprehensive 'Strategy to Win' framework. Born in 1963, this accomplished German executive brings over 30 years of management experience in the international chemical industry, combining deep scientific expertise with proven strategic leadership capabilities. Under Dr. Kohlpaintner's leadership, Brenntag has undergone a fundamental reorganization into two distinct divisions - Brenntag Specialties and Brenntag Essentials - each with autonomous operations and market-specific strategies. His transformative approach has delivered exceptional results, with the company achieving its second-best performance in history in 2023 despite challenging macroeconomic conditions. The four-pillar strategy encompasses divisional strategies, sustainability initiatives, value-creating M&A activities, and a comprehensive Digital.Data.Excellence program that is transforming Brenntag into a data- and technology-driven organization. Dr. Kohlpaintner's international perspective, gained through executive roles across Germany, the USA, Switzerland, and China, has been instrumental in Brenntag's global success. His leadership philosophy centers on building meaningful connections between people, reflecting his belief that relationships drive business transformation. As a respected industry leader, he serves on the Presidium of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and the Board of Directors of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA), contributing to shaping the future of the chemical industry on both European and global scales.