Speciality chemicals maker Covation Biomaterials (CovationBio) has appointed Steven Ackerman as its new chief executive officer.
Ackerman succeeds Dean Trivits who served as CEO following Michael Saltzberg’s retirement in 2023.
He brings 15 years of specialized experience in sustainable materials with a proven track record in advancing high-performance bio-based products for global markets.
"It’s an honour to step into this role and lead CovationBio into a new era of sustainable innovation,” says Ackerman.
“The growing global need for sustainable material innovation is clear. We’ll continue to build on our strong foundation to deliver even greater value to our partners and the planet.”
Since joining DuPont Biomaterials in 2010, and continuing through the creation of Covation Biomaterials in 2022, Ackerman has led global growth, technical advancement, and innovation for the Sorona business.
Most recently, as Vice President of Product & Technology, he drove deeper connectivity between the company’s global technology teams with sales, marketing, and customers.
Under his direction, teams at three laboratories worldwide worked on improving manufacturing processes, supporting operations, and enhancing quality.
Covation Biomaterials, operating as Primient Covation LLC, is a company that acquired and now runs the bio-based 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) business formerly known as the DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products joint venture, producing sustainable biomaterials like Susterra and Zemea PDO from corn.
