SOUTHBURY, Connecticut, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Galata Chemicals, a leading global producer of additives for PVC and other polymer applications, announced the appointment of Dr. Luc De Temmerman as President and Chief Executive Officer. Luc, who most recently served as Executive Vice President of Solutia, Inc., assumes the responsibilities from Eric Wisnefsky effective May 20, 2011.

Luc De Temmerman's appointment is an integral piece of a targeted campaign to expand Galata's high-quality product portfolio and long-standing customer relationships into new regions and new end markets, while providing innovative product solutions and enhanced technical service levels.

"Luc's high profile track record in building and leading technical, commercial and global business teams will ensure effective execution of the long-term strategy for Galata Chemicals," said Michael Fieldstone, Partner of Aterian Investment Partners, a private investment firm whose affiliate owns Galata in partnership with Artek Surfin Chemicals Ltd., a Mumbai, India based company. "We appreciate Eric Wisnefsky's significant contributions in shaping the company strategy, and wish him well in his future activities. We now turn our full attention to the growth and success of Galata through focused execution under Luc De Temmerman's leadership," Fieldstone stated.

Galata Chemicals develops, manufactures, sells and distributes tin stabilizers, liquid and solid mixed metals, liquid phosphite esters, epoxidized soybean oil, organic-based stabilizers, and impact modifiers used primarily in PVC applications. The PVC Additives business has plants in North America and Europe, including two principal facilities in Taft, Louisiana, USA and Lampertheim, Germany. Galata Chemicals was formed on April 30, 2010 with the sale of Chemtura's PVC Additives business to Artek Aterian Holdings, a partnership between Aterian Investment Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, and Artek Surfin Chemicals Ltd., a Mumbai, India based company.

Additional information concerning Galata will be available at http://www.galatachemicals.com.

SOURCE Galata Chemicals