Sweden: SaltX has appointed Karl Björnfot as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and has confirmed Kristine Johansen as its permanent Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Björnfot holds over 15 years of experience in the energy, chemicals and process industries and has held senior technical roles in large-scale industrial development and startup projects. He has worked on major energy projects at Shell in the Middle East and Europe, contributed to the development of Northvolt Ett in Skellefteå, and built the engineering organisation and process safety functions at Stegra. Most recently, he served as CTO at the chemical company Sekab.

Johansen has been confirmed as permanent COO after working as acting COO since October 2025.

Sweden-based SaltX develops and markets sustainable technologies for the electrification of emission-intensive industries such as the lime and cement sectors.

Türkiye: Öner Akgerman the former chair of Çimentaş has died. He also held the position of the chair of Türkçimento in the 1980s.

Akgerman started working for Çimentaş in 1968 and later became the company’s general manager in 1976. In 1984 he became its deputy chair. During his time at Çimentaş he set up ready-mixed concrete, construction, insurance and tourism subsidiaries. Following the acquisition of Çimentaş by Italy-based Cementir in 2001, he founded AKG Group and created divisions specialising in autoclaved aerated concrete and insulation.

India: UltraTech Cement has appointed Jayant Dua as its managing director. He will start the role in April 2026. He succeeds KC Jhanwar in the role.

Dua joined the cement business of Aditya Birla Group in 1996 and has held a variety of management positions. He was the Joint Executive President of the cement division of Grasim India from 1996 to 2005. He later became the Group Executive President of UltraTech Cement in 2014 and 2015. He also held CEO positions for group companies, including Aditya Birla Insulators, Century Textiles and Chlor Alkali amongst others. He became the business head for the group’s renewables and textiles divisions in 2023.

Dua holds an engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, a master’s of business administration qualification (MBA) from the International Management Institute and has completed the Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School.

Switzerland: Holcim has announced several changes to its Executive Committee.

Simon Kronenberg, currently Region Head Central and East Europe, has been appointed as Region Head of Latin America. Kronenberg joined Holcim in 2007. He previously worked as CEO of Switzerland, Italy, South Germany and Haut-Rhin. He succeeds Oliver Osswald in the post, who is leaving the company.
Xavier Guesnu, currently Country CEO France, has been appointed as Region Head Central and East Europe. He joined Holcim in 2010 and, previously worked as CEO of Holcim in Poland.

Dragan Maksimovic, currently Region Head West Europe, has been appointed as Group Head of Building Systems. Maksimovic joined Holcim in 2021 as CEO of Holcim UK.
Grant Earnshaw, currently Area Manager Middle East and Africa, has been appointed as Region Head West Europe. He joined Holcim in 1999. Earnshaw has held General Management and CEO roles in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.