October 18, 2024: Orion, a global specialty chemicals manufacturer with expertise in carbon black and battery additives, announced yesterday (Thursday) that Natalia Scherbakoff has been appointed the company’s new chief technology officer.

She will succeed David Deters, who for nearly a decade led a global innovation program that, the firm said, “made Orion a leader in developing sustainable materials, battery additives and other technology in the carbon black industry”.

Deters announced his retirement earlier this year and will remain with Orion until the end of 2024 to ensure a seamless transition.

Scherbakoff joins Orion from Trinseo, a specialty materials company, where she was the vice president of technology & innovation, overseeing global research, development and technology innovation with sustainability and circular solutions being a key underlying focus.

She also supported key growth initiatives as well as mergers and acquisitions. Scherbakoff was a member of Trinseo’s Corporate Environmental, Social and Governance Council.  

“Before Trinseo, Scherbakoff was the vice president of Research Innovation & Product Lines at Plastic Omnium, a French automotive supplier now known as OPmobility. She also worked as the general manager of Specialty Composites and the director of Global Innovation at Owens Corning, a building materials maker.

“Natalia has broad global experience, a track record of moving ideas through the development process to successful product launches and commercial savvy. She combines strong people skills with a passion for driving innovation and achieving tangible outcomes,” said Orion CEO Corning Painter. 

Scherbakoff is a non-executive board member at specialty materials producer Clayens NP and  is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council.