Imerys announced the appointment of Thierry Materne as Chief Innovation Officer. In charge of Innovation & Strategic Marketing, he reports to the Chairman & CEO, Gilles Michel. Thierry Materne will join the Group's Executive Committee in September 2016. He takes over from Thierry Salmona, a member of the Group's Executive Committee who will become Advisor to the Chairman & CEO. Thierry Materne worked for more than 11 years in research & development at Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Europe and the USA, developing more than 60 patents in a wide range of areas. He then joined Dow Corning where he held increasing responsibilities in research and business management. Most recently, he was Vice-President Technology and Innovation for Sabic Innovative Plastics (exGE Plastics).