Sirrus, a developer of chemical building blocks for high performance coatings and composites, has named Robert Goodnight its new president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Kenta Kanaida, president and CEO of Sirrus since January 2020, is taking on a new role as executive officer of innovation and business development for Nippon Shokubai.

 

A chemical engineer, Goodnight brings more than 30 years of operations, sales and business development experience to Sirrus. His chemical and process engineering expertise extends across a broad range of industries like automotive, heavy-duty diesel, catalysis, pulp and paper, petrochemical, chemical and nuclear.

 

“I’m very excited to join the Sirrus team. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a truly disruptive technology,” Goodnight said in a press release. “Sirrus’ methylene malonates promise to change the game when it comes to the performance and sustainability of polymer-based products.”

 

In his new role at Nippon Shokubai, Kanaida will oversee three new business areas, including the methylene malonate business, which Sirrus developed. “I’m confident Goodnight’s operational experience and proven leadership skills will guide Sirrus to new levels of excellence. I look forward to working with him in the first commercialisation of methylene malonate products,” Kanaida said.

 

Most recently, Goodnight served as the operations manager of a major global chemical producer. He holds a bachelor of science (BS) degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Alabama, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Business School Netherlands International and an Executive MBA from Vlerick Leuven Management School.