Jan is a PhD Chemist, graduated from the University of Bonn / Germany. He started his career in 2001 with CIBA (Specialty Chemistry in Basel Switzerland) in chemical process development. From 2004 onwards he took over various roles in product development and marketing  in the area of specialty chemicals for the electronic industry with a focus on LCD flat panels in CIBA, and later in BASF.

In 2015 he joined Clariant as Global Head of Product Management and Masterbatch Innovation. In 2019 he was appointed to the role of Global Head of Innovation and Sustainability, during which he was driving the sustainability agenda for the masterbatch business with a strong focus on developing innovative solutions for plastic recycling and biopolymers. In July 2020 the Clariant Masterbatch business was acquired by PolyOne, and is now merged into one business under the name Avient. Jan is global leader of Innovation & Sustainability initiatives and projects within Avient.