Julie Zhang

President, Arkema Greater China

Julie was appointed as President of Arkema Greater China efective July 1, 2021.
Graduated from China Pharmaceutical University, Julie engaged in biochemical research and development at the China Academy of Medical Science before joining Elf Atochem (predecessor of Arkema) in 1994, where she began serving on a number of investment and cooperation projects in China.
In 2002, she joined the High Performance Polymers Business Unit (formerly known as the DPT, Technical Polymers Division). Over the next 14 years, Julie held various marketing and management positions of increasing responsibilities at both the headquarters in France and the Asia Pacific region, which included overseeing the product lines and segments for Functional Polyolefins and Fluoropolymers in Asia Pacific. In 2016, Julie became the Asia Pacific Group President for the High Performance Polymers Business Unit.
Julie’s strong foundation in Specialty Materials in conjunction with her extensive local Chinese and international experience helped Arkema's High Performance Polymers Business Unit to triple sales. She also played a critical role in building up the Business Unit’s R&D strength in the Asia Pacific region and was awarded the 2016 Arkema Global Business Award.
Over more than ten years, Julie took charge of various investment and expansion projects in China for Arkema's Kynar® PVDF and polyamide series products, participated in the construction and development of the Changshu R&D center, led a team to support drafting China’s industry standard for water-based fluorocarbon coatings for construction, and established long-term partnerships with leading players across the solar energy and batteries for new energy vehicle industries, which played a critical role in driving forward the rapid growth of China’s strategic markets and continues to make significant contributions to Arkema's development in Greater China and the Asia Pacific region.