Huntsman Textile Effects has appointed Rajiv Banavali as its new Global Vice President of Research and Technology, effective from 10 August. Rajiv will join the Textile Effects senior management as part of its global leadership team and will report directly to Rohit Aggarwal, President Textile Effects.

Rajiv joins the company from Honeywell International, where he held several research and development leadership roles including his most recent, as Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, with its Advanced Materials division.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in the development and execution of R&D strategies and the advancement of innovation platforms for both product and process technology roadmaps. Rajiv has proven success in leading large, global research organisations in the development and commercialisation of technologies in the area of specialty chemicals, both at Honeywell and at his previous employer, Rohm & Haas, the company reports.

“As the global textiles industry transitions to new business models in an increasingly competitive and tightly regulated environment, it is now more important than ever that Huntsman Textile Effects remains innovative, flexible and close to our customers,” said Rohit Aggarwal.

“We are extremely pleased to have in Rajiv, a highly experienced candidate with a global outlook and an acute commercial acumen, to lead a critical area of our business, focusing on advancing our sustainability agenda while progressing the research and innovation of our product portfolio.”

Rajiv succeeds Sarada Namhata who is retiring after five years in the role. Rajiv holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Missouri, USA. He will be based in Singapore and will relocate from New Jersey, USA.

Huntsman Textile Effects is a leading provider of high quality dyes, chemicals and digital inks to the textiles and related industries. The company has operations in more than 90 countries and six primary manufacturing facilities in six countries (China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand).

For more information visit huntsman.com