• Brenntag CEO Jens Birgersson assumes direct leadership of Brenntag Essentials
• Ewout van Jarwaarde steps down from the Board of Management and CEO role of Brenntag Essentials to pursue new personal and professional opportunities, effective September 8, 2025

New Brenntag CEO Jens Birgersson calls the organization to action, asking all teams to focus on operational growth and driving efficiencies, while he is getting to know the company over the next weeks. Brenntag stays fully committed to growing both divisions, Specialties and Essentials.

The transition of all management responsibilities of former Essentials CEO Ewout van Jarwaarde to CEO Jens Birgersson is already established, ensuring a smooth handover and continued customer and supplier focus.

In January 2021, Ewout van Jarwaarde joined the Board of Management as Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in establishing the divisional operating model and the DiDEX transformation program, expanding digital, data and AI capabilities, and accelerating the implementation of the Group-wide technology strategy. August 1, 2023, Ewout van Jarwaarde was appointed CEO Brenntag Essentials. Under his leadership, Brenntag Essentials has successfully developed and advanced its Triple Strategy, including the implementation of the Last Mile Service Operations. Ewout van Jarwaarde also accelerated the M&A agenda and strengthened key strategic partnerships with customers and supply partners, significantly enhancing the division’s market position to drive sustainable, profitable growth.

Richard Ridinger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE, thanked the outgoing Board of Management member: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to express my appreciation to Ewout van Jarwaarde for his commitment and contributions to the further development of Brenntag. Ewout ensured consistent execution of the Group strategy and operational performance in a challenging market environment. We wish him all the best for his personal and professional future.”

Ewout van Jarwaarde: “It has been a privilege to serve Brenntag for five years, and I am proud of what we have achieved together with my colleagues in the Board of Management, the Brenntag Essentials Executive Committee and the entire Brenntag organization.”

About Brenntag

Brenntag is the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution. The company holds a central role in connecting customers and suppliers of the chemical industry. Headquartered in Essen, Germany, Brenntag has more than 18,100 employees worldwide and operates a network of around 600 sites in more than 70 countries. In 2024, Brenntag generated sales of 16.2 billion EUR. The two global divisions, Brenntag Essentials and Brenntag Specialties, provide a diversified and broad portfolio of industrial and specialty chemicals and ingredients as well as tailor-made application, marketing, and supply chain solutions, technical and formulation support, comprehensive regulatory know-how, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries. Brenntag pursues an ambitious sustainability agenda and is committed to sustainable solutions in its own sector and the industries served. Brenntag shares have been listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2010, in the DAX since September 2021. In addition, the Brenntag SE shares are listed in the DAX 30 ESG and DAX ESG Target. For more information, visit www.brenntag.com.