Umicore has reorganised its reporting structure ahead of the upcoming retirement of executive committee member and executive vp of recycling Hugo Morel. The company's operations will be overseen by three distinct business groups: recycling, energy and surface technologies catalysis. Stephan Csoma will have responsibility for operations in the recycling division, including precious metals management, platinum engineered materials, technical materials, and jewellery and industrial metals.

Precious metals refining activity will also come under the recycling arm, and added to chief technology officer Denis Goffaux's responsibilities. Cobalt, speciality materials and rechargeable battery materials will be part of the energy and surface technologies portfolio, headed by Marc Van Sande. Precious metals chemistry will operate under the catalysis division, which will continue to be led by Pascal Reymondet.

The restructure anticipates the sale of Umicore's zinc business unit. These activities will be overseen separately until the divestment. The company's chief counsel Géraldine Nolens has been announced as a new executive committee member, and will oversee Umicore's environment health and safety department.

Hugo Morel will retire from Umicore in September 2015. He joined the firm over 40 years ago, and from 1998, was head of its precious metals refining operations.