Dr. Paolo Bavaj is Chief Innovation & Development Officer at Stahl, a specialist for flexible coatings.
He joined Stahl in January 2023 and is heading the Open Innovation and Corporate Development activities of Stahl. Scouting and implementing new technologies, applications and new business opportunities through collaborations and acquisitions.
He joined the Adhesive Technologies business unit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA as Corporate Director Strategy and Business Development in December 2010. In April 2013, he became Head of New Business Development, with responsibility for identifying and evaluating innovation opportunities through strategic Foresight Management, Scouting, Start-up Screening, Venturing and Incubation. In November 2016, Paolo founded and led Henkel Tech Ventures, investing in and collaborating with advanced materials startups and related digital startups.
He joined Celanese Chemicals in 1996, where he worked in Operations, New Business Development and led then a global R&D and New Business Development team, gained experience as Area Sales Manager in the United States, and ran the Celanese Emulsions Textile and Engineered Fabrics business in Europe as well as their global Glass Fiber business.
Paolo holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from RWTH Aachen, Germany.