Peter Vanacker

Peter Vanacker is chief executive officer of LyondellBasell, a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living.

Prior to joining the company, Vanacker was president, CEO and chair of the executive committee at Neste Corporation, a renewable products company. He also served as CEO of CABB Group GmbH, a fine chemicals producer, and of Treofan Group, a manufacturer of polypropylene films.

Previously, Vanacker held a succession of roles at Bayer AG. Those included executive vice president and head of the global polyurethanes business, as well as member of the executive committee of Bayer Material Science, now Covestro. Throughout his international career he has worked in Belgium, Brazil, China, Finland, Germany and the United States.  

Vanacker earned his master’s degree in chemical engineering with a specialty in polymers engineering from the University of Ghent. He serves as member of the supervisory board of Symrise AG, a public, leading flavor, nutrition, scent and care company that achieved the top grade of A in all three CDP categories in 2021.

Among his leading professional engagements, he sits on the executive committee and board of directors of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), ACC’s board strategy and board plastics committees. Vanacker also serves in a similar capacity at the International Consortium of Chemical Associations (ICCA), as well as the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.