Richard Jenkins

About Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins is a seasoned executive in the chemicals and coatings industry and currently serves as Senior Vice President, Coating Solutions at Arkema. Born in 1964, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University (1986) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University (1990). This strong scientific background has underpinned a career focused on research, development, industrial scaling, and the leadership of international technology-intensive businesses. He began his career in 1990 at Union Carbide in research and development, and in 1995 he was appointed Asia-Pacific R&D Director. In 2001, he joined Dow Chemical, where he held development and operational management roles across the Asia-Pacific region. In 2003, he returned to the United States to lead Dow Latex Americas Business. In 2007, he became Global Vice President for Architectural Coatings at Dow Coatings Solutions, building a deep expertise in formulations, construction markets, and decorative coatings. From 2008 onward, Richard Jenkins led the acrylic resins and monomers activities that were divested by Dow and later acquired by Arkema in 2010. He then joined Arkema and played a key role in the acquisition and integration of several coatings-related businesses, which were consolidated into the Coatings Resins business unit. He was appointed head of that business in 2012 and later assumed broader responsibilities within the Coating Solutions division. His career demonstrates a strong ability to manage industrial transformations, integrate acquired assets, and develop growth platforms in specialty markets. His strengths include deep scientific credibility, extensive knowledge of coatings value chains, and significant international experience across North America and Asia-Pacific. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Coatings Association, further enhancing his standing within the global industry ecosystem. At Arkema, his role supports the Group’s strategy of strengthening its position in specialty solutions and higher-value applications.