Americhem Inc. hires new CEO, Matthew Hellstern

Cuyahoga Falls-based polymer company Americhem Inc. has a new chief executive officer.
Americhem on Tuesday said it has appointed Matthew Hellstern as CEO of the Americhem Group of companies, succeeding Rick Juve.
Juve, in turn, will become chairman of Americhem Group. Americhem makes color and additive products used in polymers. The group includes Americhem, Infinity LTL Engineered Compounds and Vi-Chem Corporation.
“Americhem Group is establishing a solid reputation as a leading independent supplier of custom material solutions for the global polymer industry,” Juve said in a statement. “The time is right to create a coordinated leadership structure with Matthew as our CEO.”
Hellstern will provide strategic direction to the organization and will ensure that the strategic plans of each company are met, Americhem said in a news release. Responsibilities also include identifying synergies to help the companies meet their growth objectives.
Hellstern has an extensive background in the specialty chemicals industry, including being vice president and general manager of WR Grace’s Specialty Catalysts and Darex Packaging businesses. He previously led Chemtura’s urethane elastomers and fluorine businesses, and held leadership positions at Sun Chemical and BASF.
He has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University and an MBA from Lehigh University. He also attended the executive development program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.