Austrian firm Lenzing appoints Stephan Sielaff new CEO

Lenzing – the supervisory board of Lenzing AG, has appointed Stephan Sielaff, the former CTO/COO of Lenzing AG, as the new CEO, effective April 1, 2022. He will succeed Cord Prinzhorn, who took over as interim CEO in the fourth quarter of 2021. Prinzhorn will return to the supervisory board. The managing board will thus be reduced again from five to four members.

Stephan Sielaff holds a degree in chemical engineering and held various management positions at Unilever and Symrise from 1993 to 2014. Between 2014 and 2020, he was responsible for the strategic development of the company as a member of the board of directors (COO) at the Swiss specialty chemicals company Archroma –an important supplier of the textile and paper industry. He was appointed CTO and COO of Lenzing AG as of March 1, 2020, the company said in a press release.

“Stephan Sielaff took up his duties at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis and has shown outstanding efficiency over the two years. His strong presence and leadership qualities convinced the supervisory board to offer him the role of future CEO. We are very pleased that he has accepted the offer and that with him someone from within the company will continue to shape the future of Lenzing,” said Peter Edelmann, chairman of the supervisory board.

There will be another change on the managing board. CFO Thomas Obendrauf has informed the supervisory board that he will not be available for a further extension of his contract, which expires in June 2022. The supervisory board of Lenzing AG is already working on a timely replacement. Obendrauf will be available to the company in an advisory capacity until a successor is appointed.

“Thomas Obendrauf has fulfilled the role of CFO excellently and prudently since 2016. Together with his colleagues on the managing board, he has consistently pursued the sCore TEN strategy and successfully implemented it despite considerable pandemic-related distortions. He was also responsible on the board for the construction of the new lyocell plant in Thailand. We regret that he will not renew his contract, thank him for the always trustful and professional cooperation and wish him all the best for his future path,” added Edelmann.

“After six years, I have decided with a heavy heart to leave Lenzing to pursue my desire for a career change. I thank Lenzing for the enriching time and the great experiences,” said CFO Thomas Obendrauf.

Edelmann will leave the supervisory board upon his own request, effective April 26, 2022. Cord Prinzhorn will return to the board and will take over as chairman. Edelmann has served as a member of the supervisory board since 2018 and as chairman since 2019, as well as sitting on all Lenzing AG committees. In these four years, he has accompanied the strategic transformation of the firm on its path to becoming a sustainable specialty fibre company, thereby securing the basis for profitable future growth. During this time, Lenzing has launched and successfully implemented the two largest CAPEX projects in its history, despite COVID-19, the release added.

“I am extremely grateful and proud to have been with Lenzing in this decisive strategic transformation phase. It was a very intensive and truly fulfilling mission! I would like to thank my colleagues on the supervisory board, the management board and the management and staff of Lenzing for the highly effective and enriching collaboration. The time has now come for me to take on a new challenge that offers a similarly high level of creative ambition as that at Lenzing. This wonderful company will always have a special place in my heart.” explained Edelmann.