Avantium Appoints Former Shell CTO, Jan van der Eijk to its Supervisory Board

    AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, March 01, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Avantium announced the appointment of Jan van der Eijk to its Supervisory Board. Dr. Jan van der Eijk was the first Chief Technology Officer of Royal Dutch Shell and his 30-year career with this company covered a wide range of research, technology and business management positions in the Netherlands, the UK and the USA.

He has a profound understanding of the business value of technology differentiation and hands on experience in developing and marketing of new chemicals and refining processes and products. Additionally, he has a strong track record of adding value to chemical companies through active participation in Supervisory Boards.

Jan van der Eijk said on his appointment:" Based on its expertise in enhanced experimentation, Avantium is very well positioned to be a leading research and technology company. It is an exciting time to join this young but experienced company and help propel its furanics bioplastics and biofuels program."

Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, commented:" Adding an industry expert like Jan van der Eijk is empowering our Supervisory Board. He has been actively involved in a broad range of chemical and cleantech innovations at Shell. He has impressive firsthand experience in bringing new technologies from the laboratory into today's industrial environment."

About Avantium

Avantium is a leading technology company in the area of advanced high-throughput R&D operating in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries. The company develops products and processes in the area of biofuels, bio-based chemicals and novel crystal forms of existing drugs by applying its proprietary, high-throughput R&D technology.

Avantium has demonstrated the potential of this technology by providing R&D services and systems to more than 70 companies worldwide. Avantium's customer base includes many of the world's largest energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical companies, such as BP, Shell, Sasol, Pfizer and GSK. Avantium has more than 100 employees; its offices and head quarters are based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Website: http://www.avantium.com

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