Fernand Kaufmann is the CEO of HPL S.A. (High power Lithium), a start-up active in the development of nano-structured cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. He also serves on the board of Verenium Corporation and Schmack Biogas. During his 33 years career at The Dow Chemical Company, he held a variety of business leadership positions in Dow’s specialty products, pharmaceuticals and agricultural businesses. In 1992, he was named Vice-President for New Businesses and Strategic Development and became a member of Dow’s management executive committee. He was also responsible for biotechnology developments and corporate venture capital investment at Dow. He received his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg.