Erik started his career with Borealis in 1995 as development engineer in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, followed by various research manager positions in Porvoo, Finland; Stenungsund, Sweden; and the positions of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) manager and technology commercialisation manager in Mechelen, Belgium. Prior to joining Borealis, Erik worked at Desotec, a company specialised in air and water purification.

Most recently, Erik has held the position of Director Strategy and Portfolio for over a decade, first in Linz, Austria and then in Beringen, Belgium.

Erik van Praet holds a PhD in Quantum Chemistry and a Master degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leuven, Belgium. He is a board member of both the Dutch Polymer Institute and Borealis Technology Oy.

Erik is a Belgian citizen, is married and has four children.

“For many years, Erik van Praet has been a mastermind and key pillar of our Value Creation through Innovation strategy, which remains a key differentiator of the Borealis Polyolefin strategy,” comments Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Executive Vice President Polyolefins, Innovation and Circular Economy. “He is a true innovator who has been, and will continue to be, integral to Borealis’ purpose of reinventing for more sustainable living.”