IMCD appoints Emmanuel Colette as global leader of Food & Nutrition  

NETHERLANDS – IMCD, a leading global distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, has appointed Emmanuel Colette as the new global leader for its Business Group Food & Nutrition, effective March 1, 2026.   

Colette, currently managing director of IMCD France, will retain that role while spearheading the division’s worldwide expansion, focusing on enhancing commercial and technical capabilities amid rising demand for innovative food solutions.   

This leadership shift replaces Marc van Gerwen, who retires after 38 years in the industry, during which he significantly grew the group and solidified its regional presence.   

His appointment comes after IMCD Switzerland unveils new food & nutrition laboratory in Zurich.  

CEO Marcus Jordan praised Colette’s proven track record, noting his success in building team trust and delivering results, particularly in doubling the Asia Pacific food and nutrition business through organic growth, supplier partnerships, and the EurochemoPharma acquisition in Malaysia.   

Colette joined IMCD in 2012 as a product manager, advanced to regional leadership in Singapore in 2020, and returned to France in 2024.   

The appointment underscores IMCD’s strategy to accelerate growth in the competitive specialty ingredients market, which is vital for food manufacturers seeking sustainable, high-performance additives such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and nutrition enhancers used in baking, snacks, and beverages.   

Colette expressed enthusiasm for the role, committing to building on van Gerwen’s momentum while advancing IMCD France’s acceleration plan to ensure superior service for customers and suppliers.   

For the global food industry, this move signals a heightened focus on formulation expertise as companies navigate supply chain complexities and sustainability pressures across regions such as Europe, Asia, and Africa.   

IMCD’s food and nutrition portfolio supports trends in clean-label products and functional ingredients, aligning with sector demands for efficiency and innovation.   

As multinationals streamline operations, these leadership changes aim to capture market share in a sector projected to expand steadily.   

Industry observers view Colette’s dual responsibilities as a bold step toward integrating regional insights with global strategy, potentially boosting IMCD’s edge over rivals in agro-processing and product development.  

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