Black Bear appoints Vreeken CEO

Victor Vreeken is now chief executive officer of Black Bear Carbon. He succeeds Silvio Ghyoot, who has “decided to leave Black Bear to pursue opportunities outside the company.”

Vreeken joined Black Bear as chief technology officer in January 2020. Prior to taking on this role, he spent more than eight years at Avantium, a firm active in the emerging renewable and sustainable chemistry industry, most recently as chief operations officer for Avantium’s Renewable Polymers business. He holds master degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Business Administration (MBA).

“We are very pleased to have Victor Vreeken as successor from within the organisation, to further lead the roll-out of Black Bear’s technology,” states Koos Breen, chairman of Black Bear’s Supervisory Board. “At the same time, I want to thank Silvio for all his efforts last two years. Silvio guided the company through a difficult period. Under his leadership the company has taken the next step in professionalisation.”

“I am excited to take this role and work with such competent and capable team to develop the company further,” adds Vreeken. “Black Bear is ready to roll-out its technology for recovering carbon black from end-of-life tyres and realise that significant contribution to the circular economy.“