Joint forces for renewable carbon: Lars Börger appointed as new CEO of nova-Institute

Starting 1 March 2025, Lars Börger will join nova-Institute as new CEO. Together with Michael Carus, current CEO of nova-Institute, they will drive sustainable change in the chemical and materials industry forward. With his proven track record in brands’ perspectives on renewable carbon and defossilisation, Lars Börger will be the perfect fit to strengthen nova-Institute’s position in the market. 

nova-Institute has been driving the transition away from fossil resources in the chemicals, plastics and other materials industries for 30 years. Through extensive research and consultancy services to companies, NGOs and policy makers, the institute has produced numerous studies, reports and graphics on renewable carbon and defossilisation. But the chemical sector is facing a new and challenging period. Although alternatives based on biomass, CO2 use and recycling are well developed, proven and ready for scale-up and implementation, the main work still lies ahead: How to design an appropriate policy framework that allows companies to transform sustainably and to remain competitive? What role can brand owners play in driving demand for new solutions?

"In these challenging and dynamic times," says physicist Michael Carus, founder and CEO of nova-Institute, "I am very happy that Lars Börger, with his profound expertise and network in renewable carbon, will strengthen nova's leadership as new Co-CEO. I am looking forward to a successful cooperation for the sake of a sustainable transformation".

Lars Börger holds a PhD in Chemistry and an Executive Master in General Management. He worked for BASF (Germany) for almost 20 years, many of them as Head of Global Marketing Biopolymers. For another seven years he worked for Neste (Finland) as Vice President Renewable Polymers & Chemicals, Brand Owner and in the Value Chain Management. He represented Neste in the founding process of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) and was a member of the RCI Board, as well as a board member of European Bioplastics for several years.

“nova-Institute is the leading think tank for the circular economy with great impact on industry transformation. Accelerating this transformation is now more important than ever, as the challenges facing the chemical and materials sector continue growing. I look forward to joining the great team of dedicated professionals at nova-Institute and helping to shape a more sustainable future.”, says Lars Börger.

In shared leadership with COO Linda Engel, the two CEOs Lars Börger and Michael Carus will navigate nova-Institute in the future, supporting companies, associations and policy makers with research and consultancy in the fields of Technology & Markets, Sustainability, Economy & Policy and Communications.

“Throughout its 30 years in business, nova-Institute has always been at the forefront of its field. Our mission is to support companies as a science-based consultancy and to open up new pathways for a sustainable future for the chemical industry. With Lars, we are confident that we will continue to live up to this goal. We have known him for many years as a driving force in the industry and look forward to work with him.”, adds Linda Engel, COO, nova-Institute.