Wastefront appoints new CEO Vianney Valès to lead global delivery phase of waste tyre recycling plants
Change of CEO at Wastefront
Wastefront AS, the Norwegian waste tyre recycling company, today announces the appointment of new CEO, Vianney Valès – a former top executive in Oil & Gas in companies such as Shell and Galp Energia.
Valès, who was first introduced to Wastefront by its anticipated liquid offtaker Vitol in 2019, was initially engaged with the Norwegian company in his former position as CEO of Devaltec LLC, a project developer and solutions provider in new and sustainable energies.
With Valès immediately relocating from Houston, Texas, to London, he will be responsible for continuing to de-risk the Sunderland projectWastefront’s first waste tyre recycling plant due to begin construction in early 2022. Valès’ initial priorities will include the selection of an EPC partner, developing commercial agreements, and ensuring all outstanding permits are approved.
Valès brings to Wastefront a wealth of experience in leading innovative projects and technologies to commercial success. His rigorous approach to project management will ensure a systematic mitigation of risks while maximising profitability.
Devaltec will continue to act as the primary strategic partner to Wastefront and will co-lead the development of all upcoming projects for the next 5 years. Devaltec remains contracted to successfully deliver production from multiple plants of minimum 1000 MTD, commencing with the Sunderland project.
Wastefront’s Co-Founder and ex-CEO, Inge Berge, will retain an active key role within the company as its new COO, and will be responsible for different areas of development including waste tyre feedstock and supply management.
Vianney Valès, CEO of Wastefront, comments: “Wastefront is the most circular project in chemical recycling I have ever come across and has the ambition to solve a serious environmental problem while generating excellent economic returns. This ambition is supported by a strong business case and an experienced and motivated team, which I am absolutely thrilled to now join as CEO.
“Using the Sunderland project as a platform to grow, we will deploy our plants worldwide, secure long-term supplies of feedstock and increase the value of products with our strategic partners. By implementing large industrial scale projects with an exceptional environmental footprint, we are attracting a wide range of players and are leading the Energy Transition by example.”
Inge Berge, COO and Co-Founder of Wastefront, comments: “It’s a pleasure to have Vianney join the team to lead our next stage of growth. For me, part of the competence of a company founder is knowing when to bring in the correct expertise to take the company to the next level. Having Vianney’s skillset will be invaluable in helping deliver successful projects and moving Wastefront into a new execution phase, from local to global.”
