As part of the Global Excellence Team for Digital Manufacturing, Matthijs works with production sites around the world to optimize their operations using digital solutions. By collaborating closely with local engineers, he creates data driven insights and set standards to improve efficiency and reliability. In his role he contributes to Huntsman's digital transformation by engaging both business and operations in new, digital ways of working.

As part of the Global Excellence Team for Digital Manufacturing, Matthijs works with production sites around the world to optimize their operations using digital solutions. By collaborating closely with local engineers, he creates data driven insights and set standards to improve efficiency and reliability. In his role he contributes to Huntsman's digital transformation by engaging both business and operations in new, digital ways of working.

Benedikt Thünker is a seasoned expert in digital transformation, smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0, with a particular focus on the chemical and resource industries. Based in the Düsseldorf-Ruhr region, he has over a decade of experience driving innovation and operational excellence in complex industrial environments. Currently, Benedikt serves as Director of Smart Operations Portfolio Management at Evonik Operations GmbH, where he leads initiatives to modernize digital plants and implement cutting-edge solutions. Prior to this, he was instrumental in developing digital tools as a Project Manager, focusing on analytics and smart manufacturing strategies. Before joining Evonik, Benedikt honed his expertise in management consulting roles at PwC Deutschland and Accenture, where he supported clients in the chemicals, energy, and natural resources sectors. His career has been defined by his ability to translate strategic vision into actionable solutions, enhance organizational design, and foster continuous improvement. With a strong foundation in change management, stakeholder engagement, and relationship building, Benedikt is recognized for his strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and ability to navigate complex challenges.

Dr. Alba Mena Subiranas holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Barcelona (Spain) and a PhD in chemical engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Alba Mena began her professional career in 2008 as a process engineer at BASF in Ludwigshafen. Since then, she has held various management positions in engineering, maintenance, manufacturing, and production. In September 2021, Dr. Alba Mena was appointed Vice President Europe Operations Additives & Resins and in January 2022 Vice President of Global Operations Additives & Resins.

The Pop in Your Job:
I’m driven by collaborating with people—there’s always something new to learn—and by guiding teams beyond their comfort zones to uncover what’s genuinely achievable. I love empowering teams to build capabilities that translate ambition into tangible, sustainable business growth.

Sébastien Lalaurette is the Head of Digital and Data Officer at Air Liquide Global Markets & Technologies. He has extensive experience leading digital transformation initiatives and developing data-driven strategies to optimize business processes and industrial IT systems. With a strong technical background in IoT, embedded systems, and software development, he combines technological innovation with strategic leadership. Previously, he founded and led the “Creative Foundry” at Air Liquide, an interdisciplinary team dedicated to digital services and electronics development. Sébastien Lalaurette is a graduate of EPF – École d’ingénieurs in France and is passionate about open-source technologies, Industry 4.0, and data-centric architecture approaches.

Huntsman embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of our founder, Jon Huntsman, and his core values of honesty, integrity, respect and responsibility. For 50 years, our employees have been using science and ingenuity to create innovations that play a critical role in the everyday lives of many millions of people. As a global chemicals company, Huntsman’s work forms the building blocks for countless consumer and industrial products that are part of your everyday life. Our employees are united around a common goal: enriching lives through innovation.

Evonik is one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies. While we don’t produce electric cars, aircraft, medications or 3D printers, Evonik is part and parcel of these and many other end products. That’s because we contribute the small things that make a big difference. We make electric car batteries perform better, aircraft greener, medications more effective and 3D printers more efficient. In short: We think beyond the bounds of chemistry to make the world a better place. Today and tomorrow. We are an international group with a workforce of over 32,000 people spread across more than one hundred locations. Our daily work is shaped by global concerns, such as sustainability, diversity and digitalization. In all our business decisions, we take the present and future generations into consideration. After all, being ready for tomorrow is our business.

BASF stands for chemistry for a sustainable future. Our claim: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers' green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all industries and in almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises the core businesses Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care; the standalone businesses are grouped in the Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions segments.

Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 72 countries with 67,800 employees, the Group serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the Group’s activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide’s strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition—particularly with hydrogen—and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.